I’m looking to adopt a second rabbit. Reference- RSPCA UK – https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rabbits/company/bonding. This topic has 7sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 4 months, 3 weeks ago by Lops4Life!. Although two female rabbits are spayed, they will try to attack each other. Like humans, rabbits can have many individual relationships. So why starve them emotionally by keeping them alone? Some people just set up an xpen in a neutral room of the house. BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! The rabbits will definitely act territorial. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies. They must be separated right away if serious signs of aggression are seen. It will need to be on the alert for danger 24/7 and never completely relax because there is no other rabbit to let it know when a predator is near. You can absolutely keep them in the same room and let them out of cages for separate runs times – I think this is probably the most common method. Care and thought must be given when considering a friend for your rabbit.

He was abandoned by neighbors who decided they wanted a cat instead and dumped him in the woods.

Somerset Rabbits are highly social creatures – this means that they need company, and that company should be from other rabbits. As a result bonded rabbit will not be territorial anymore. This also means you'll need another litter box, water crock, food crock, etc. Prepare a neutral area – rabbits are territorial and introducing a new bunny into a pre-established home is going to increase the likelihood of problems in a bonding experience. Alternate who gets what housing/space regularly so that no one is able to claim one as just theirs. Locate a neutral place, somewhere your rabbit doesn't normally frequent, in the house that isn't too large; a bathroom or laundry room typically works well. So a single rabbit will feel anxious. Now all the common and basic questions aside, you are finally here to learn more about the rabbit bonding stages and the process that you can follow. If your bunny is free range all day, you could possibly let her free range one day, then let the other bun free range the next (with a shorter playtime for the bun who has been in a cage all day) – just make sure they aren’t going to fight through the cage bars while you’re not around, or block the other cage off from the free-ranger bun. 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. First I would let them get to know each other visually so they won't freak out, Who is that! Also uncommon, but possible, is outright fighting. Check out VET RESOURCES. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Sometimes one rabbit mounts the other. Wait 2-4 weeks after the surgery before attempting introductions. Males can stay fertile for up to six weeks after neutering and may … Desexing your bunnies prior to their introduction – hormones make all bonding pair combinations (ie male/male, female/female, and of course male/female) more difficult. Neutral territory is best because none of the rabbits will act territorial towards the other rabbit. Required fields are marked *. Don't – Try to bond if you have had a bad day. What is the purpose of rabbit bonding? Work with the rabbits daily for at least 15 minutes. Don't – Assume that because yesterday went well, today will too. I adopted him about a 2 months ago.

It can take a few weeks to a few months to combine two rabbits into a "bonded" pair. 24/7.

The severity of the altercation will decide how long of a break the rabbits will need from each other before trying again. Similarly, they will become friends with each other too. In case the rabbits smell each other, bring their nose near the other rabbits through the adjoining cages, it means they are starting to know each other. I have […] Single rabbits are proven to show behaviours that indicate negative welfare such as bar biting, so having a companion is thought to reduce stress for them. Which is the best rabbit pairing for bonding? Any ideas? You must be able to provide separate housing accommodations until the bond between the two rabbits has been established. Introducing a baby rabbit to an older rabbit. He is fully litter trained and rarely has accidents.

Viewing 7 reply threads. You may even find that your rabbit is more friendly and outgoing once bonded with a companion. If neither of these options are available, you'll be looking at doing the bonding at your home. It will be your responsibility to monitor these negotiations and to intervene when appropriate to prevent things from getting out of hand. The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. Unlike rabbit bonding, guinea pig bonding is usually a much quicker process fortunately! Failure to alter the rabbits and wait the appropriate amount of time could result in pregnancy, fights and/or spraying and marking of territory. Bonding takes time, patience and effort; it will be up to the rabbits how much of each are necessary. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Studies have shown that rabbits value the company of other rabbits as much as they value food. It can take several weeks to months for a bond to solidify between the rabbits.

Female rabbits can be very territorial in nature. A pen in an area of the house your rabbit is not usually in, A bathroom the resident bunny has not been in, A laundry basket on top of a dryer that is on. Awesome!

They will get used to seeing each other and to each other's scent if they are close to one another. In such cases, you must go back to stage one and start by placing them in separate cages face to face each other. Purpose of the playpen is to keep the rabbits apart so that the rabbits show no signs of aggression neither get into a fight. Here is my situation. Rabbits are extremely territorial, and may exhibit behaviors such as chinning, and urinating, chasing, batting, biting, or mounting. When two bunnies first meet, several outcomes may occur. › Forum › BONDING › Bonding a rabbit a good idea? Unneutered/unspayed rabbits tend to fight a lot. We also have CCTV security cameras focused on the rabbit environments 24/7 which are monitored and checked by our volunteer team at regular intervals throughout the day. The first one to approach will sniff around, circle around the other rabbit. However, the best pairing is between a neutered male rabbit and a spayed female rabbit. Separate the rabbits immediately to prevent them from hurting each other. What are we about? You have to be patient and observant of your rabbits’ behavior.

Once you feel they have bonded, you can test them. I have a second cage to keep the new rabbit. So allow some time for the bunnies to get used to with the smell. Veterinary Nurse Emily Tindall shares her top tips for rabbit care, including advice on housing, feeding, bonding, vaccinations & healthchecks and flystrike. Read Dillon and Tsuki's story...patience resulted in a loving, bonded pair, even after some tense moments. TA3 7DY, Call our helpline 01919 339 000 - available between 11am and 3pm Monday to Friday. Rabbit Care Top Tips. Less common, but possible, is love at first sight. All rights reserved. https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rabbits/company/bonding, https://rabbit.org/faq-bonding-multiple-rabbits/. Do not choose a breed that is larger than the other rabbit because bonding a larger breed with a smaller breed of a rabbit may not be successful. Bring both rabbits into the room; you will need to be right in there with them at all times. These process of keeping them separate using playpen or cage will allow them to know each other. Understand how the rabbits are reacting to the presence of each other. Rabbit bonding means the gradual build-up of friendship among rabbits. A submissive rabbit will quickly accept it. Mounting and chasing is quite common during this adjustment period. He is 2 and was kept in a small cage most of the time both indoors and outdoors.

As well as they love to groom each other means these pair of rabbits are friends for life now. Males can stay fertile for up to six weeks after neutering and may still exhibit hormonal behavior during this time. As well as improving the life of your pet beyond recognition, providing a friend for your rabbit will have great benefits for you as an owner. Is the rabbit stressed and ready to stop for the day?

I want to adopt a second rabbit but I don’t have another room to keep it in. Taunton Once the rabbits have bonded, DO NOT separate them.

Is he mad you just gave his favorite toy to the other? Rabbits only really speak rabbit. Do – Be prepared for this to take several months. The process of introducing two rabbits is known as bonding. When these rabbits are not close, you can daily swap the litter boxes of the two rabbits which will slowly help get used to with each other smell too. Then keep together for small periods of time – returning to housing until proven over 1-2 hours together that they will behave. Introductions should be short and frequent in the beginning and increased in duration as the rabbits become more tolerant of each other. This allows your rabbits to get to know each other, test the boundaries of the relationship and develop their new bond.

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