If you hate the smell of vinegar (like I do), try adding 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil to cover it up. It doesn’t work with rabbits who are very aggressive or anxious. Many, many rabbits never have a problem, but it is worth taking care over this process. Have Not Bonded Accordingly. All of the bowls, and habitat accessories. While it is an excellent idea to find a friend for your rabbit, there is actually a lot you need to consider before making this important decision. Sometimes one will chase the other. According to the RSPCA, when your rabbits can spend one or two hours together in the neutral space with no problems, then you can start to introduce them into a common living space. The most noticeable thing is when you see them sitting close to each other and they have relaxed with each other’s companionship. However, a rabbit who loves you will come up to you and gently nibble your finger. The first stages can be stressful for the rabbits. When looking for a potential partner for your rabbit most people agree that it’s usually easier to bond a male and a female rabbit together, rather than rabbits of the same gender. Even rabbits who seem well bonded can get into fights in these early stages. Rabbits are very territorial animals. Bonding usually takes a shorter amount of time (1-2 weeks). It depends on the personalities of the rabbits involved and the amount of time you are able spend on bonding them. Bunny bonding basics The most likely outcome is tentative friendship. Watch for signs of a potential fight. Introducing rabbits to each other can be an intricate and … Your rabbits know you and they love you but once these scared or aggressive tendencies come out they won’t realize they are … You would be amazed at how well they … Don’t forget that once bonded, the rabbits must never be split unless there is a real need to do so, such as illness where one needs special nursing care that can’t be done with company present, or if there is a risk of injury … The size and type of space you give your rabbit will vary depending on the method you use to bond your rabbit. You need to be ready to spend a full week with the rabbits. It’s easier to control aggressive or anxious rabbits. For example, if one of them suspects that the other is being given food it will rush over to ensure it is not being left out. A rabbit who hasn’t been fixed is more territorial and tends to be more aggressive than those that have been altered, so it’s very important for the safety of your rabbits and increases the likelihood of success in the bonding. After you have some trust that they won’t immediately attack each other, you can allow them to approach each other nose-to-nose on the floor, then start giving them both head scritches and massages together. The rabbits are just too aggressive with each other and refuse to get along. This technique is ideal because it won’t be as stressful for the rabbits. Shower your surviving rabbit with attention and love. You also don’t have to spend the time slowly increasing the rabbits space to make sure their bond doesn’t break. The rabbits are showing serious signs of stress or anxiety. For short periods of less than an hour, the rabbits will likely be fine with minimal activities. If they're separated and one rabbit comes back with a different smell or change in health, they may reject each other and begin fighting. And mistaking your rabbits for being bonded when they are not may mean that some fighting will occur. Easier even when you only have a limited amount of time for bonding. This will give your rabbit calm feelings while they are sitting next to each other. They’ll be more willing to settle down or even nap a little instead of getting up in arms about the other rabbit they are sharing a space with. A lot of time is spent simply snuggled up together sleeping. They may approach each other and sniff but will not groom each other. This is especially important once you are putting your rabbits together for long periods at a time. Positive Signs of Rabbit Bonding. As part of my work at the rescue center, I am responsible for cleaning out all of the rabbit and small animal enclosures. However, there are other reasons that you may want to give up or at least take a break for a few months before trying again. Male rabbits can take up to six weeks to become sterile after they're neutered. If it is caught early the bonding can be saved. With this technique you are basically putting the rabbits together and telling them that one way or another they have to get along because they’re not going to get a break. That being said, rabbits are social animals and it is much easier for them to meet their social needs with another rabbit as a partner. Please see our handout "Altering your Rabbit's Future" for more reasons to alter your companion rabbit and for our list of recommended veterinarians. Taking the rabbits for a car ride, running the vacuum near them, or placing them atop a washing machine are some common scenarios that people use. Bonding rabbits, or re-bonding rabbits is not always successful. In other cases, the rabbits will take many months or even years to be bonded. Instead of putting rabbits in a miniscule area to start, you let the rabbits roam an area that’s as large as you can control (so you can still break up any potential fights). You don’t need to worry about a bond breaking when you increase the space. To prevent them from biting each other’s noses (which can happen), I recommend getting these mesh storage cubes. As you’re getting started bonding your rabbits, there are some techniques you can use to help the process along. Fighting is different. She helps to socialize the rabbits and educate volunteers on the care and behavior of these small mammals. But in the end if you stick with it, you’ll have a happy pair of bonded rabbits. Some rabbits even use their tails to communicate emotion. At that point I will plan to take a week and stay with the rabbit’s full time while they get used to living together. You do want to see some mutual grooming behavior, but they actually don’t need to be lovey dovey all the time. This is a time of day when rabbits are naturally less active. If a larger area doesn’t work, try going smaller or vice versa. When they come back the other rabbit might think they are a stranger and attack. Rabbits that are not fully bonded need to be kept separate when you are not with them. You want to be on the lookout for actively aggressive rabbit body language. Set up the two pens or enclosures right next to each other so that the two rabbits can see each other and sniff each other if they want to. Research and check for signs of rabbit bonding, and be certain that your rabbits are bonded … This is simply not true. Then you slowly increase the space so that neither rabbit gets either territorial of the new space or uses it to nervously stay away from the other rabbit. Is the rabbit stressed and ready to stop for the day? However, they are not necessarily going to agree on who gets to be dominant right away. You can choose whichever technique you want to get started, but if the bonding is not working, try moving to a different technique and see how it goes. However, as the time together gets longer, no toys or treats could lead to an irritated rabbit, and they may end up directing their pent up frustration at the other rabbit. Male rabbits are also still viable for a number of weeks after the surgery. Space for play and exercise. Subscribe to the Bunny Lady e-Newsletter and receive a FREE pdf guidebook going over all the basics of rabbit care. A loss of appetite could lead to illness. You can either get a completely new area rug to use for the rabbit enclosure, or you can spray the flooring with the vinegar solution. When it comes time to put your rabbits together and start the bonding process it’s very important that you set up a neutral area. Watch for signs of a potential fight. Use a new exercise pen that neither have used before and have new litter boxes, food bowls, hiding houses and toys available. Take it slow and give your rabbits time to work out their disagreements. It’s more about the individual personalities of the rabbits involved. As well as they love to groom each other means these pair of rabbits are friends for life now. Unless the two rabbits are actively trying to hurt each other and there is nothing you can do to calm them down, don’t end a session if the two rabbits had a bad interaction. One of the best steps you can take to help your rabbits early on in the bonding process is to start petting them when they are next to each other. Most of the time you can let them continue as long as both rabbits still seem comfortable around each other. If the rabbit has signs of injury and is scared to move at all within the cage, then you can guess your rabbits are fighting because the space … This might be necessary if you’re waiting for one of them to be spayed or neutered, or if you want to wait to start the formal bonding until you have more time and attention to devote to it. Bonded rabbits spend the majority of their time together, so almost all of their play is together. So when you hear some people say their rabbits had "love at first sight" and bonded right away, I believe they just happened to match rabbits that are more "easy going" compared to others. It’s not uncommon for rabbits to occasionally scuffle, even in bonded pairs, but if they are having proper fights and pulling fur out that’s usually a sign that their bond has broken. Time. You may also be able to set up a foster to adopt agreement, where you foster rabbits and adopt one if they seem like a good match for your bunny. Then get to work cleaning everything. As you see them interacting comfortably closer together and showing signs that they are relaxed and not on edge, then you know your rabbits are close to being bonded. If the rabbits have a bad experience, or if one of the rabbits is elderly or has health considerations, you may need to take it slower, or take some time off. Don't – Try to bond if you have had a bad day. You want to avoid the rabbits getting frustrated and taking out that irritation on the other rabbit. Make sure both rabbits' noses can be seen so they are not biting in sensitive areas during the interaction. Your job in bonding is to make sure the rabbits don’t hurt each other during the process. This is not to scare you away from ever getting a second rabbit, but instead to be realistic. However, it can be difficult to get this technique to work with rabbits who are highly aggressive or anxious around each other. Try extending the bonding sessions for longer and longer until you feel like they’re ready to do a marathon session where they are together for 24-48 hours, with food/water/litterbox. In general, it’s harder to bring any rabbit (whether male or female) into a home where the original rabbit is female. The size and age of the rabbits generally don’t affect their ability to get along, but you might want to look for a rabbit with similar energy levels. Think of it like bringing a new baby into a family that previously only had one child. It can be done in shorter intervals of time if you work during the day. If the bathroom isn’t working, try the kitchen. The idea here is that the rabbits will likely remember the positive feeling they had at the end of their session and will be more likely to continue the positive feeling into the next day. Some female rabbits, especially, will feel ownership of areas of the home they haven’t ever been to; they just know it’s close to their territory. Sometimes this happens because your original rabbit is very territorial. Do – House the rabbits separately but close together. They tend to be more territorial so you may want to give them more time together to solidify their bond before the move-in. Although the average length of time until most rabbits are pretty well bonded is about one week, we have seen rabbits take as little as one … Follow the Bunny Lady and her bunny partner Elusive and they seek to educate rabbit caretakers and make sure everyone is able to have a happy and healthy bunny in their home. Try to eliminate the possibility of any territorial behavior by choosing introductory spaces that are as different from your bunny's territory as possible. This should cause the rabbits to inadvertently groom each other while they are licking the treat off. Rabbit behavior will often tell you whether your bonded bunnies are having a tiff (disagreement or scuffling) or a fight. The bunnies may groom each other or cuddle with each other. When getting a space ready for the two rabbits to bond in, you also want to make sure the equipment and supplies you use are neutral. Bored rabbits are also likely to chew on objects that they shouldn’t. Bonding rabbits can be an incredibly difficult and stressful process (but not always). I’ve designed adorable bunny apparel! The exercise, of course, helps to keep the rabbits healthy, but it also prevents them from having pent up energy. This will give them time to heal and it will give their hormones time to calm down. This will allow the rabbits to develop a friendship without the instinct to defend their space. In this set up and at this early stage of human to rabbit bonding, the bunnies can begin to feel comfortable since the person is ignoring them and resisting the urge to pet them. Use vinegar to help get rid of any scents your rabbit might recognize. As an Amazon Associate and an associate to other companies I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Rabbits that have been in a fight are much more difficult to bond because now they have negative memories of each other. Also uncommon, but possible, is outright fighting. To do this, mash up some banana or use unsweetened applesauce. While the circumstances will vary on the specific scenario you are in, my rule is if I see no improvement for 2-3 days in one spot, then I need to change things up a little. Grooming. You may want to wear thick gloves and a long-sleeved shirt for initial bonding sessions in case a fight ensues. As you see them interacting comfortably closer together and showing signs that they are relaxed and not on edge, then you know your rabbits are close to being bonded. Don’t panic if you see this behavior occasionally. A lot of people who have a very close bond with their original rabbit will worry that they won’t show the same kind of affection after a new bunny is introduced. However, with some of these behaviors, such as chasing, you do want to keep a close eye on the rabbits to make sure it doesn’t escalate into something more aggressive. If your rabbit lives in an ex-pen then you’ll want to clean the flooring as well. Again, do this with supervision, and be prepared to separate them in case of problems. They'll associate the other rabbit with a sense of security, as opposed to carrying bad memories around with them. The rabbits will get used to each other's smell and your current rabbit will learn that he/she cannot be territorial about the cage when both rabbits are eventually free together. They can become competitive with each other over food and attention from us. This is OK as long as the rabbit on the bottom (submissive) is accepting it. Not all rabbits have compatible personalities, and it’s impossible to predict who your rabbit will easily get along with if they haven’t been introduced. Sometimes one rabbit mounts the other. When two bunnies first meet, several outcomes may occur. I am a lifelong rabbit lover and have been specializing with rabbits at my local animal shelter. In fact, rabbits need to work certain things out. If one rabbit is much more active than the other, it may end up causing friction in the relationship when one rabbit wants to play, but the other just wants to cuddle. Keep your rabbits side by side, but wait to bond them until you move to a different home. However, the idea of bonding your pet rabbits sounds daunting and overwhelming. If one rabbit needs to go to the vet, both need to go. As much as possible you want to try to make the bonding experience positive for both rabbits. Acceptable or normal tiff behavior does not usually require any human intervention. It is very important to try to end every session on a high note. Even bonded rabbits will have occasional disagreements. It’s harder to keep track of the rabbits in a larger area. It’s best done with the two rabbits in a small space so that they will instinctually huddle next to each other. Rabbits are Willing to Share. There are no other places you can use as neutral areas. The bond likely won’t break after the rabbits are in the larger area. If you have additional questions about bunny bonding, please call 651-768-9755 or email info@mncompanionrabbit.org. Regular old white vinegar is a great scent neutralizer that can be mixed with an equal amount of water to create an all purpose cleaner that also gets rid of odors. Grooming is the most … Before introducing rabbits Neuter both rabbits. Mounting is a form of communication and a way of establishing dominance. It’s relatively stressful for rabbits, especially to start with. They share a space, so the toys they have they share to an extent. While you don’t want to use this tip too often because too many treats are not good for a rabbit’s digestion, it’s a good trick to use if the two rabbits seem to be getting along and just need a little extra nudge. Females shouldn't be bonded with another rabbit immediately post-neutering to reduce the risk of injury. Hi everyone - I have two bunnies - Herman and Elenore - who I've been working on bonding since August of 2016. The hutch or pen gates should be wiped down, even cleaning the walls is a good idea. The first child will still love their parents, but they’ll have another separate relationship with the younger sibling and the family dynamics will change a little. If you are introducing a male with a female rabbit, you will also prevent unwanted babies. I have used this method for successful male/male and female/female and male/female bonds, as well as a trio of 2 males/1 … However long it takes, it’s important that you stay patient and avoid rushing the process. Just remember that whatever method you choose, you want to avoid the possibility of territorial aggression by making it as neutral as possible. Not as stressful for the rabbits after the first stage. This may seem counter-productive at first. Some people will tell you to start with short sessions, while others will insist that it’s best to jump in for hours right from the start. Place a small amount of this yummy treat on the forehead of one or both of the rabbits. They’ll both need to be let out for exercise separately to avoid any fights while they get used to each other. The rabbits involved are continuously aggressive with each other. On average, bonding two rabbits will take anywhere from two weeks to two months. If you take the time to introduce and bond your rabbit with another bunny friend, it is usually beneficial to their mental health and will cause your rabbit to be overall happier. Before getting started, you want to make sure all rabbits involved have been spayed or neutered. To prevent the rabbits injuring each other, or injuring you when they go for each other, you’ll want to wear appropriate clothing and have some equipment available. They don't get to play unless it is with the potential mate. However, you will very rarely find two rabbits who are able to get along right away. Also, when your rabbit is happy and content, they will approach you. If at all possible, you want to try introducing your rabbit to a number of other rabbits so that your bunny can help to choose their own partner. One rabbit will be happy because they are getting a yummy treat, and the other will be happy because they feel like they are being groomed. Sometimes one will chase the other. The rabbit… In almost all cases, you have nothing to worry about. Many animal shelters will be able to facilitate this kind of bunny speed dating, especially those that specialize in small animals. Any of these techniques might be right for you. Rabbit teeth grow continuously and need to be worn … Bonding is a stressful process. How can I tell if rabbits are bonded? Having the rabbits in the same place allows them to see, smell, and feel each other’s presence, which is a critical first step in bonding two rabbits. Often, it is best to stay out of it. You might find yourself stuck in a rut and feeling like you’re getting nowhere. Constantly chewing on things they shouldn’t. Rabbits can be happy with a human or other animal companion if they are given enough attention and socialization. Stress bonding is, as the name suggests, stressful for the rabbits involved. If you are new to bonding rabbits, the whole idea of it can feel overwhelming. If at all possible, you want to keep your bonded rabbits together at all times. Why rabbits might unbond The most likely outcome is tentative friendship. Wait at least four weeks after all rabbits involved have been spayed or neutered before introducing them in the same space (they can still be housed next to each other in separate enclosures). It will likely stop or lessen over time as the rabbits' relationship solidifies. What you will do is start each session with 10-15 minutes of stress bonding, then give them another 10-15 minutes to sit together without the stress, so that they can also get used to interacting with each other and comforting each other even when there is not something scary going on at that exact moment. Usually the rabbits will be able to resolve the issue on their own in now time. In some cases, you may want to put them together for even longer periods of time, especially if you are bringing a partner into a female rabbit’s old enclosure. You can adjust the technique you’re using based on how your rabbits behave. This allows for the rabbit to heal and for his/her hormones to balance. But once you’ve learned how to read ‘bunny body language’ and rabbit behaviour, you’ll discover that they have lots of different expressions. link to How to Keep Your Rabbit Enclosure Clean and Smelling Good. However, you can find a friend for your rabbit if you take the time to plan and prepare for bonding. You need to be prepared from the start for this scenario. They may have occasional chases, or they’ll nip each other when they get annoyed. It is tempting to move too quickly. Work with the rabbits daily for at least 15 minutes. Most people will agree that if your rabbits can go a full 48 hours together in a neutral territory without any fights or major chases, then they can move in together. However same-sex pairs can also work. In almost every relationship, one rabbit will be the more dominant bunny. Sometimes one rabbit mounts the other. This ‘start small’ technique is most useful in bonding rabbits who are more anxious or aggressive toward each other. Usually you will want to bring them to a room in the house that your rabbit hasn’t been to before, such as a kitchen, a bathroom, or a section of a hallway. Bonded rabbits usually get on well over long periods of time. Instead you need to slowly introduce the two rabbits in a neutral territory that neither will feel ownership of. The Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society (MCRS) has experienced Educators and Fosterers that can chaperone initial meetings between two rabbits to help evaluate the likelihood of a successful pairing. It can also be useful in cases where one rabbit is seriously scared of the other even if there is no serious aggression. Bonding. They've never gotten into any serious fights before, except the few times that … Start off by giving them massages for 10-15 minutes at a time, but as they seem more comfortable with each other, you can start petting them for a shorter duration then stop to see how they respond to each other. For caring, compassionate advice and resources to address all your animal concerns. That fear is not completely unfounded. Most rabbits want their exercise time outside their cages, so they will learn to behave with the other rabbit around. They are working out who's boss. Elevated chin and body with popped tail and flat ears indicate aggression. Amy Pratt is a lifelong rabbit owner who has been specializing with rabbits at the Humane Rescue Alliance. Since there are often a couple of handfuls of hutches that need cleaning,... My name is Amy and I am the Bunny Lady! Most people will recommend keeping them separated and swapping their living spaces like this for a week before starting the bonding. I like to break apart pieces of hay cubes and sprinkle them around the enclosure, that way the rabbits get a healthy treat rather than a lot of sugary pieces. They act as nose guards while also giving your rabbits a chance to interact with each other. A neutral space is a place that neither rabbit will consider to be their own territory. In this video watch how I bonded Walter (new bunny) and Charlie (existing bunny) and made them friends. Neutral behaviors aren’t necessarily good or bad. © 2021 Animal Humane Society. They take lots of naps during the day. If that doesn’t work see if you can spend a few days at a friend or family member’s house. They tend to be more territorial, so it’s more difficult to convince a female to live with another rabbit. I put together a guide that goes over all the basics of rabbit care so you have it all in one place. Introductions should be done in a neutral space to minimize the occurrence of these territorial behaviors. The only time I would say to give up and stop trying to bond them is if the rabbits have actually hurt each other in a fight. Sometimes no matter what we do, the two rabbits just won’t get along. Similarly, it’s best to make sure the rabbits have had time to get out and exercise (separately) before putting them together. If the bunnies show any signs of aggression, try: The noise and movement will be slightly frightening to the bunnies and they may snuggle up and draw comfort from each other, creating positive memories of one another. Don't – End on a bad note, if at all possible. Bunny "dates" last from a few minutes to 15 minutes a session. If they are finally doing well in a pen in your living room, give them sessions there for the next week before attempting to move onto the next stage. The more often you work with them, the quicker the process will progress (usually). A small box, pet carrier, or laundry basket are good options. Talking Them Through it: When they are first getting to know each other, I will talk the rabbits through the process. If the two rabbits mostly get along, but you just don’t trust them together unsupervised, there is actually another option. Wait 2-4 weeks after the surgery before attempting introductions. You don’t have the time to continue with the bonding. However, if the rabbits are not showing signs of aggression or severe anxiety, it’s okay to start sooner. Don't – Hold a bonding session in the resident bunny's territory until after the bunnies spend at least 30 minutes together in neutral space. With enough time, the bonding will usually stick, but it’s important to be prepared with a plan in case it does not. There are many different techniques for bonding that we will go over in this article.
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