Introducing a 4 week old lopear to a 6 month old house rabbit.

Question
Hi,I am looking for help to try and make sure I integrate my female house rabbit (6 months old)that I have had for 4 months with a 4 week old Lop-ear female.The oldest was showing the usual signs of territory and I made the mistake of letting them meet (The oldest attacked her). Please can anyone give some knowledge on how to integrate these fantastic pair (hopefully) together?

Answer
Hi Craig,

You might have a problem with this one.  First, a four week old domestic rabbit is not fully weaned.  Domestic rabbits should be with their mother until about 8 weeks old.  That little girl still should be with her mother.  

It is usually difficult, but not impossible, to bond a pair of same sex rabbits.  It is sometimes easier if they are spayed/neutered.  It is generally easier to bond opposite sex rabbits.  As you already know, rabbits are territorial.  The best bonding technique involves introductions in neutral territory.  That is an area that neither rabbit has been.  We have had some success with using masking agents to cover territorial markings.  We generally put a swipe of vanilla flavoring on the bridge of the nose of each rabbit and that should overpower the territorial markings.  A car ride in the same carrier might work.  We have also used the washing machine or clothes dryer while it was operating by placing them in a carrier together....just make sure you are there in either case to separate them in case of a "difference of opinion" or to prevent the carrier from falling from the washer/dryer.  The idea behind this is to create just enough stress that they will seek comfort in each other.  With F/F....it might work if you are patient and understanding.  We do have a pair of unaltered girls...and oddly enough a pair of unrelated unaltered males...that are tightly bonded.  They did it on their own.  We had their housing next to each other so they could "talk" without a scrap and slowly allowed them to mingle together outside their houses in a limited access area.  They have been living together for months without problem.  But to make this combo work, it will take time and patience on your part...but it most likely can be done.

Randy