Bunnies are not solitary animals, and thrive when they can interact with their own kind. If you’ve got a single rabbit, you will want to consider getting your bun a friend. A second rabbit can provide happiness, entertainment and a lifetime of companionship to your furry friend.
However, you can’t simply bring a second rabbit into your home and expect your bun to love them. While rabbits are sociable, they are also extremely territorial. This means that introducing two rabbits needs to be a careful process, otherwise there can be fighting, biting, chasing and urinating.
Below we will explain how you can introduce a new friend to your rabbit and bond two bunnies so they will be lifelong friends.
Before Bonding
There are a few things you will need to do before bonding your two rabbits.
First of all, you must ensure that both rabbits are spayed/neutered. Male/female bonding is usually the most successful type of bonding, but getting both rabbits sterilized is a must in this case. You’ll also find your rabbits are much less aggressive when they have been desexed.
Male rabbits can be desexed at 10 to 12 weeks old and females at 16 to 20 weeks old. Male rabbits can take up to six weeks to become sterile after they are neutered, so you should wait until then to introduce your rabbits. Females should not be introduced to another rabbit for at least 2 weeks after being spayed as this can cause injury to the wound.
Both rabbits should also be in good health and eating well. Double check with your vet that both rabbits are up to date on all their vaccinations.
Choose a neutral space to begin introducing your rabbits. This will reduce the amount of territorial behavior. You should also ensure your home is suitable for two rabbits. Two rabbits will need more room than just one!
Winter is the best time to bond your rabbits because less hormones are produced during this time. However, if your rabbit is lonely, you shouldn’t wait until winter to get a second rabbit. You can bond them in spring or summer, it may just take a little longer.
The Bonding Process
- Firstly, you will need to get your rabbits acquainted by sight and smell. Keep them in their separate hutches or enclosures, but put these enclosures close enough together that the two bunnies can see and sniff the other. If your existing rabbit is free-range, put the new rabbit in a cordoned-off section of their area.
You could also try swapping over their litter trays or some of their toys, so they get used to the smell.
- Once they are well acquainted through smell, you can try introducing the rabbits properly. However, this should be done in a neutral area (ie. somewhere in your house that your existing bun doesn’t live, or in a puppy play pen outside).
Never put one rabbit inside the other’s hutch straight away. Rabbits are extremely territorial and this will cause a lot of aggressive behavior including biting and fighting.
When you first put the rabbits together, make sure they are supervised at all times. There should also be two of everything, so there are no fights over anything. For example, there should be two water bowls, two sets of toys and two hiding places.
If either of the rabbits fight, you should separate them immediately. You can use a water bottle spray, a cloth or a tennis racket to separate them and discourage aggressive behavior.
- As the days go on, you can leave your two rabbits together for longer and longer periods of time. Always ensure they are supervised.
Ensure there are plenty of distractions in the neutral space, such as toys and hay.
- Once your rabbits seem happy with each other (ie. grooming each other, or cuddling up together), you can begin to leave them unsupervised.
However, if any fighting occurs, they should be separated and the bonding process should be started again from the beginning.
It is important to note that both males and females mount in an attempt to show their dominance. This isn’t something to be worried about and is all part of the bonding process.
After Bonding
After your rabbits are bonded, it’s time to give yourself a pat on the back! Well done! You did it!
One of the most important things you can do to keep your rabbits bonded is to not separate them again. Otherwise you may have to start the bonding process again.
This includes trips to the vets. Even if only one of your rabbits has a vet appointment, bring both bunnies. This is because, if one bunny returns with a different smell or in a different state of health, they can be rejected by the other bunny. This is not only traumatic for the rabbits, but means you need to start the bonding process again.
Bonding Bunnies FAQs
Why is important that I get a second rabbit?
Rabbits are very sociable animals and, while they can be closely bonded to their humans, they do best with company of their own kind. Once two bunnies are bonded, you will witness them cuddling, grooming each other and eating together. They don’t like the solitary life!
Where should I get my second rabbit?
The best place to find your second rabbit is at a rescue center near you. By choosing a rescue bun you will not only be giving them a home, but your new bun will also be vaccinated and neutered.
Some rescue centers will even help you to bond your bunnies and help you pick the companion best for your rabbit.
Which sexes work best with each other?
Mixed-sex rabbits usually work best together, but same-sex bonding is not uncommon.
How long does bonding take?
Bonding can take anywhere between 2 hours to 2 months! It really depends on your rabbits. However, if you aim to spend at least 15 minutes a day bonding your bunnies, you should be able to get it done sooner rather than later.
What if my rabbits won’t stop fighting?
Rabbits that repeatedly fight are unlikely to be able to bond. However, this is only the case if you have been trying for months and your two buns still don’t like each other. You may need to seek other companions for them.
If your bunnies are fighting but you are fairly early on in the bonding process, stick with it! Bonding can feel time consuming but it is worth it for both your and your rabbits at the end of the day.
