Bonding New Pet Rabbits

Rabbits are very territorial animals. Therefore, there can sometimes be conflicts when introducing new pet rabbits to each other. This article will briefly summarize why there are problems when introducing new pet rabbits to a living environment, and attempt to explain how you can potentially remedy the situation.

Wild rabbits have very territorial behaviors that have been handed down to our domesticated rabbit friends. In the wild, male rabbits will defend a fairly large area that he marks using various techniques including the dropping of scented pellets, chin marking, and digging. A wild female rabbit will defend a smaller area usually localized to her nest. Domestic rabbits can exhibit very similar behaviors and it is important to keep this in mind when you are about to introduce new rabbits to each other.

The optimal way to introduce new rabbits is to do it when they are young. If this is not possible, however, then you will want to introduce them in a neutral space. This means their first meeting should be in a location that doesn't belong to either of them. If they instantly display affectionate behavior towards each other such as nuzzling and maintaining a close proximity, then you are in luck and your rabbits have bonded quickly and will probably need no further supervision.

If they are tentative, weary, or display aggression towards one another, further action on your part will be required. You will need to put them in new situations, some slightly stressful (like taking them to a new location) where they can bond with each other. Do not allow them to fight; if they fight they will remember it for a long time and harbor negative feelings. Do encourage them to be near each other.

You will have to spend some time each day working with your rabbits until they cease showing signs of weariness or aggression towards each other. Being able to properly bond rabbits is a highly useful skill should you ever need to introduce a new rabbit to a rabbit you already have. It is also useful because once properly bonded, rabbits love to have the stimulation and company that a new companion provides.