RABBITS LIFE

Question
Does a dwarf rabbit need a mate to live/survive & how long can a dwarf rabbit live if it never mated

Answer
Hi Jen,

rabbits do not "have" to have another rabbit to survive/live.  They are by nature social animals and if you are planning to spend a lot of time away from your bunny, you may want to consider a buddy for your rabbit.

Please know you just cannot lump any two strange rabbits together and expect they will get along.  Rabbits pick their friends.  It is good to try them with several potential rabbits (ie bunny dating) at a local shelter that has other rabbits for adoption.  It is also critical to watch them at all times of the dates in order to be able to stop any real fighting that can happen.  It is important to have someone else around experienced in bunny dating as well to help analyze any good / bad behaviors during the date, to help gauge the potential success of the pairings.

Never try to pair a rabbit that is fixed with one that is not.  If your guy is not fixed yet, get him fixed by a good rabbit vet, wait a couple months, and then look for possible mates.  

It is best if you pair male/female.  It's the best scenario.

Once a good potential mate is found, you can't just lump them together either.  You have to go through the bonding process.  Go to the House Rabbit Society web site (www.rabbit.org) and search on "bonding" to bring up their excellent articles on bonding.

Generally rabbits can live (as indoor house rabbits, fixed) between 10-12 years, and possibly more if in good health.  Some rabbits are best as solo rabbits, on their own, and they get the companionship they need from their owners.  It's not really a hard factor, it depends more on the rabbit's personality.  

Lee