Bonding Rabbits

separating bonded rabbits

Consequences of separating bonded rabbits.

Leave a Comment / Bonding Rabbits, Information, Pet rabbit, Rabbit Behavior / By

Wondering whether separating bonded rabbits is the right thing to do, although you don’t have any choice?

You will rethink your decision after learning what may happen if you separate a bonded rabbit pair, even for a short while.

I have answered the most common questions in this article. The most common of all reasons to separate a bonded pair is due to desexing rabbits.

How long can bonded rabbits be apart?

Rabbits are very territorial animals, keeping bonded rabbits apart even for 24 hours can contribute to rabbits breaking their bond.

It sounds more straightforward that the rabbits will break their bond quickly. However, it is not easy for the rabbit pair to go through this stage.

Once separated, both the rabbits will mourn each other. If a rabbit is far from its partner, then the rabbit will be lonely and may act grumpy from loneliness.

In the worst-case scenario, one rabbit may forget the smell of the other for keeping a rabbit apart for a short while.

Once the rabbit forgets the smell of his/her friend, it is highly likely you have to work on the bonding stages again.

Now the question is why someone would separate bonded rabbits?

What will you face if you have to separate bonded rabbits due to desexing?

There can be many reasons for a rabbit guardian to keep their bonded rabbits apart from each other.

The most common reason to keep bonded rabbits apart is spaying/neutering.

Most rabbit guardians buy pet rabbits without doing proper research online.

They only discover that rabbits are different from cats and dogs once they bring their new pets home.

Why do I say this?

Rabbits are considered exotic pets and require quite a bit of maintenance.

Hence rabbits are not a starter pet.

The first problem a rabbit guardian will face once they buy pet rabbits, that their rabbits require spaying/neutering.

Can you take your rabbits to any veterinary and desex them?

Absolutely no. Because the regular vet in your area may not be specialized in exotic pets. Therefore you cannot desex them immediately after you buy them

Desexing them will be costly.

So what will happen if you cannot desex your pet rabbits immediately?

At this stage, rabbit guardians confuse themselves. They start raising the rabbits for a while without spaying/neutering them.

Meanwhile, when they keep the rabbits together in a hutch. These rabbits start to build a bond with each other.

So you may wonder what I am trying to mean.

What I am trying to say is once you get hold of an exotic pet veterinary and take your bunnies to spay/neuter. The doctor will suggest you keep your rabbits separate at least for two weeks to a month.

This duration of parting is standard after a rabbit is spayed/neutered until the rabbit recovers and is fully healthy.

But the problem in such cases is when you take your rabbits to the vet, the vet may refuse to spay a female rabbit unless she turns six months old.

So if you desex one of the rabbits before the other rabbit in the pair, that will result in a more extended period of separation for these two rabbits.

Nevertheless, if you do not have any choice other than a separation bonded rabbit due to desexing, you will have to go through the bonding stages.

Steps to bond rabbits are not complicated at all. However, in cases like these when a bonded pair remains separated for a while, and the guardian intends to bond them again, the condition becomes challenging.

Once a rabbit’s bond is broken, they will forget the smell.

If you try to re-introduce a neutered male rabbit to an unspayed female rabbit, the situation will be critical.

Although these rabbits were paired before the female rabbit being extremely territorial might act violently towards the male rabbit.

I am not saying this situation is usual; however, expecting such an incident is common.

What happens once a rabbit pair breaks bond?

Separating bonded rabbits can result in loneliness in rabbits. A rabbit will not understand what has happened to his/her partner. Thus the rabbit will mourn and feel alone.

Not having a playmate and being lonely will cause anxiety in rabbits. Stress in rabbits can deteriorate the health of a healthy bunny quickly.

Can rabbits bond again after short separation?

The short answer to this question is yes. I cannot say that for sure, because I have never done that. I never separated my bonded rabbits.

Rabbits can bond again after separation, but the process will be a lot more challenging than the first time.

See, when a rabbit pair is broken or if a rabbit from the air remains away from the other rabbit for a while, then eventually the rabbits begin to forget each other.

They will mourn the loss of their friend, but the bigger problem is they will forget the smell of each other.

If the rabbits forget each other’s smell, they will behave like new friends once they see each other.

So as a rabbit guardian, the steps for bonding these rabbits will be similar to starting from zero again.

Not just starting from the beginning, the circumstances may be even worse.

Because most likely, you have separated the pairs from each other only because you have spayed/neutered them.

And in case you have neutered the male first and the female is unspayed, the female rabbit will act very aggressively towards the male rabbit. The female rabbits are very territorial, and she will think of the neutered male rabbit as a competitor now in her territory. Although they were friends before, they have forgotten each other’s smell and do not recognize each other.

In most cases, it is difficult to bond rabbits after they have been apart from each other for some time, but the task is not impossible.

Do you need to spend more time with them after separation?

Yes, once a rabbit loses the partner, the rabbit will be lonely. At that moment, a friend is essential for rabbits.

A rabbit, being apart from the partner, needs someone who can play and cuddle the rabbit.

A rabbit guardian cannot do everything for the rabbit, similar to another rabbit.

However, the rabbit guardian can spend more time with the bunny and give her a companion.

Rabbits do get bored quickly, and after losing a friend, a bunny will act anxious. Therefore support from the rabbit guardian is necessary.

As well as giving the bunny to play some rabbit chew toys may help with her boredom.

Want your rabbit to be happy and healthy?

Need other things for your rabbit?
Click on the links below for:
Rabbit food
Rabbit Toys
Rabbit cages and houses
Rabbit health and hygiene

How to raise happy & healthy rabbits!
How to raise happy & healthy rabbits!

Click here to order the ebook How to raise healthy & happy rabbits!

Read more

  • Do Rabbits Need Shots?
    All pet owners want their pets to have long, happy, healthy lives. The same goes for those who own rabbits. However, there is one concept that can be very complicated for rabbit owners: Vaccines. Do bunnies require vaccinations? Are they even safe? These questions pose a real concern for bunny owners. We all want our …

    Do Rabbits Need Shots? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Pumpkins?
    Pumpkins are believed to be rabbits’ second-favorite orange vegetable, right after carrots. These winter squashes are mostly used as holiday pies, but they’re also packed with nutrition that’s important in a rabbit’s diet. Pumpkin is not toxic for rabbits but they should not be fed with it too often or in larger amounts. If you …

    Can Rabbits Eat Pumpkins? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Bell Peppers?
    Picking the appropriate fresh vegetables to supplement your pet rabbit’s diet can be an excellent way to turn out their nutrition. While bunnies receive most of their nutrients from fresh hay, attaching a regular supplement of fresh greens and veggies will equip them with vital vitamins and minerals. While most vegetables can aid in keeping …

    Can Rabbits Eat Bell Peppers? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Cilantro?
    Cilantro gives a touch of fresh taste to a variety of foods. Just like any other spices, cilantro also carries antioxidants that can remove dejected and unwanted metal particles in our bodies. It has also been proven that cilantro carries an element that can fight off Salmonella. Thus, providing its partaker a more salutary digestive …

    Can Rabbits Eat Cilantro? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Corn?
    Fresh, dried, or cooked corn, all of them are not safe for your bunny. It is very unfortunate to say because some bunnies love to munch on fresh and sweet corn very much. While the hull of corn kernels carries complex polysaccharides. Normally, rabbits find it hard to digest complex polysaccharides. So, corn is considered …

    Can Rabbits Eat Corn? Read More »

bonding two female rabbits

Bonding two female rabbits: Is same-gender bonding possible?

Leave a Comment / Bonding Rabbits, Information, Pet rabbit, Rabbit Behavior, Rabbit Comfort / By

Bonding two female rabbits is not an impossible task if the rabbit guardian does it the correct way.

Having two female rabbits can cause a deadly fight in the scene if proper measures are not taken like described in this post.

In this post, I wrote about how to bond two female rabbits without complications and allow them to live in harmony.

Can two female rabbits together?

Yes, two female rabbits can live together. It is necessary to bond the two female rabbits first. If a new female rabbit is introduced to your female pet rabbit abruptly, then you might contribute in a deadly fight.

Rabbits are very territorial animals. Regardless of gender, rabbits can be very territorial, and a newcomer in their territory will not be accepted.

Thus if two female rabbits bond together, only then can they live together.

But bonding female rabbits come with some other complications. Several measures must be taken before trying to bond female rabbits, such as spaying the rabbits.

I have seen several house rabbits living and playing together. And surprisingly, I have seen pairs that are both females, and they are chasing and grooming each other.

Is spaying essential before bonding female rabbits?

Regardless of gender, it is best to desex rabbits before bonding them with each other.

Spaying/neutering a rabbit will aid in a healthy life for rabbits. Desexing a rabbit contributes to a longer lifespan in house rabbits. Likewise, after a few weeks from desexing, as the hormone will slowly wear off from their body, the rabbits will become less aggressive.

It is tough to bond unneutered/unspayed rabbits because the hormones in their body will keep them aggressive towards the other.

And female rabbits are even more territorial than male rabbits. Therefore if your female rabbits are unspayed, indeed, the older rabbit will not tolerate a new rabbit in her territory.

If the older female house rabbit is more prominent in size and shape, your new rabbit will suffer as soon as you bring them together.

You might wonder what if only one rabbit is spayed and not the other?

I know spaying a rabbit can be costly in some places as they can’t be treated with ordinary veterinarians. But the best practice is to spay both rabbits before the introduction process begins.

I cannot positively say the bonding process will work if one of the female rabbits is unspayed.

How to bond two female rabbits?

Assuming you own a pet rabbit that is a female. Your cute pet does not have any bunny friend. So, you want to present her with a new bunny friend.

There are rabbit owners that cannot spend adequate time with their pet rabbits, which results in a lonely rabbit.

I have seen rabbit owners that have one rabbit initially, and they enjoy the rabbit’s companion.

Similarly, the house rabbit enjoys the companion of their guardian.

Rabbits are not lonely at all if the rabbit guardian spends adequate time with the pet rabbit.

Nevertheless, in some cases, the rabbit guardians may get busy with work and can’t manage enough time to play with the rabbit.

That may cause loneliness in rabbits, and the rabbits will suffer.

Hence many rabbit guardians, once they realize they are spending sufficient time with their pet rabbit, buy a new rabbit.

However, trying to bond a male rabbit and a female rabbit is an excellent idea.

Because the process will be a lot easier, unlike bonding rabbits of the same sex. The situation will be a lot worse if the rabbits are not desexed.

However, the topic of this article is about bonding two female rabbits, and I will not discuss anything which is not related to the issue here.

What are the steps for bonding two female rabbits?

Let’s think of it like this:

You already own a female rabbit and raise it in a free-range environment.

A free-range environment such as the pet rabbit has access to most rooms in your house and has a cage where she goes to relax only.

Rabbits growing up in such conditions consider most of the house as her territory.

Although your rabbit is litter trained, occasionally, she will poop here and there within the house to mark her territory.

I am using this example because bonding such a female rabbit will be the most complicated of all.

Why is that?

Because most of your house is the rabbits running space and she considers it as her territory.

If a rabbit stays most of his/her life inside a hutch, then only the hutch will be the rabbit’s territory.

Thus trying to bond a free-range female rabbit will be considerably hard because a new member in her territory will not be taken lightly.

On the contrary, it will be difficult for you to find a neutral territory to introduce the older rabbit with the new one.

STEP 1

The first thing to do is when you get your new female rabbit, you must visit a vet to spay her and ensure her longer lifespan.

Likewise, if the older rabbit in your house is unspayed, you must take her to a vet to do the same task.

Until today if you have believed your female pet rabbit behaves nicely then, you might be wrong. As your pet rabbit had no competitor in her territory, and she did not feel any threat. Therefore she had no one to fight.

Hence, spaying your older rabbit is crucial because if she is unspayed and meets a younger female rabbit, she will bring down wrath on the newcomer.

So Step 1 is ensuring the female rabbits are desexed, and at least a couple of weeks have passed after the desexing.

STEP 2

Now the introduction process must start assuming both female rabbits are spayed.

At this stage, what you must do is find a place where the older rabbit never goes.

Consider that location as neutral territory.

If the older rabbit is in neutral territory, then she has no reason being territorial.

You must do that so that both the female rabbits at this stage will not consider the other one as a threat.

In this neutral territory, you must set an x pen. The simplest way to create an x pen is by using a DIY rabbit playpen. Use the DIY rabbit playpen to create two separate enclosures.

And keep the two female rabbits in two separate enclosures.

Set the enclosures at least several inches apart.

Do not set the cages so far that the rabbit cannot communicate and not so close that they can grab each other to fight.

STEP 3

Give these female rabbits new litter boxes with fresh hay. Do not give them any litter box that has the smell of older rabbits.

New litter boxes will prevent the older rabbit from acting territorial.

Now there is a trick you can do.

You can interchange the litter boxes every two days during the bonding process.

I mean, you can take the litter box from the older rabbits cage and shift it to the newcomer’s cage.

Similarly, take the newcomer’s litter box and place it in the older rabbits cage.

That way, they both will get used to the smell of each other. And being in neutral territory, they will not count each other as a threat.

STEP 4

Now it is your turn to observe the rabbits. You have the rabbits in the cage doesn’t mean you are done with the process.

You have to keep your eyes on the rabbits.

Do not allow the rabbits to stay on the opposite side of the cages. If they are sitting on the furthest corner from each other, then it means they don’t like each other’s companion.

It is a sign for the female rabbits that they can’t stand each other.

Consequently, if you notice such behavior, bring the rabbits close to each other inside the cage.

Do so for at least a week. By this time, observe their behavior.

You can at least assume now that the rabbits are used to each other’s smell.

Yet do not judge that they will bond with each other unless you see them inside one cage.

STEP 5

Now, the next step is to let the rabbits outside of the cage together. Do this in the neutral territory, and keep eyes on them. You can let them out together for hours in the beginning.

You must slowly increase the time they spend together.

First, let them spend 15 minutes together and observe their behavior during the period.

See if they are aggressive or they are staying far from each other.

IF they start to fight with each other, immediately stop them and place them back into the individual enclosure.

At this stage, if a female rabbit is yet acting territorial, highly likely, it will be the older one. So keep an eye on the older one so that she behaves appropriately with the newcomer.

The older rabbit may mount the younger rabbit to prove her dominance and claim her territory. She might spray urine and poop around this unclaimed territory.

If she does not, then you must place them back into their x pen and go back to STEP 4 again.

Allow the rabbits to stay close to each other. Compel them to get used to with each other’s smell by frequently shifting their litter boxes.

Also, pet them frequently one after another.

That way, the rabbits will get used to the smell of the other female rabbit’s smell from your hand.

They need to be comfortable with each other. 

If you fail at step 5, do not give up yet. Bonding same-sex rabbits are intricate work.

If you have chosen to complicate things by bringing two female rabbits home, then you have to take the hassles.

STEP 6

Step five might take you back to step 4. In case you pass level 5, now you may allow the rabbits out of the cage frequently.

Allow the female rabbits to play with each other. And slowly increase the time they spend with each other.

Always be observant of their behavior. You are the guardian, and if you notice anything unusual, take them back to their cages.

But give them more time to play together gradually. Suppose start by 15 minutes everyday, and progressively raise to 30-40 minutes and 1 hour.

The whole process may sound very complicated before you work on it.

But once you see your female rabbits living with each other in harmony, you will realize the time commitment has paid off.

Conclusion.

Bonding two female rabbits is not impossible, but the task is intricate.

If you follow the steps, indeed, you can bond two female rabbits.

Nevertheless, bonding rabbits require patience and time of the rabbit guardian.

Usually, bonding rabbits may take only two weeks. All the steps I described above can be completed within two weeks.

However, trying to bond two female rabbits may take longer than usual. It might take up to six months to get your female rabbits to like each other.

Think of it like this:

If a human meets another human, it may take a while for person A to befriend person B.

They will need some time to become friends at first. Then after a few more dates, they will become close to each other.

And casually, they will create a bond, and person A will become friends forever with person B.

The same is applicable for bonding rabbits, regardless of gender.

Although in most cases, two female rabbits will get used to each other within a month or two, in more complicated cases, it will take up to six months.

Want your rabbit to be happy and healthy?

How to raise happy & healthy rabbits!
How to raise happy & healthy rabbits!

Click here to order the ebook How to raise healthy & happy rabbits!

Need other things for your rabbit?
Click on the links below for:
Rabbit food
Rabbit Toys
Rabbit cages and houses
Rabbit health and hygiene

Read more

  • Do Rabbits Need Shots?
    All pet owners want their pets to have long, happy, healthy lives. The same goes for those who own rabbits. However, there is one concept that can be very complicated for rabbit owners: Vaccines. Do bunnies require vaccinations? Are they even safe? These questions pose a real concern for bunny owners. We all want our …

    Do Rabbits Need Shots? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Pumpkins?
    Pumpkins are believed to be rabbits’ second-favorite orange vegetable, right after carrots. These winter squashes are mostly used as holiday pies, but they’re also packed with nutrition that’s important in a rabbit’s diet. Pumpkin is not toxic for rabbits but they should not be fed with it too often or in larger amounts. If you …

    Can Rabbits Eat Pumpkins? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Bell Peppers?
    Picking the appropriate fresh vegetables to supplement your pet rabbit’s diet can be an excellent way to turn out their nutrition. While bunnies receive most of their nutrients from fresh hay, attaching a regular supplement of fresh greens and veggies will equip them with vital vitamins and minerals. While most vegetables can aid in keeping …

    Can Rabbits Eat Bell Peppers? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Cilantro?
    Cilantro gives a touch of fresh taste to a variety of foods. Just like any other spices, cilantro also carries antioxidants that can remove dejected and unwanted metal particles in our bodies. It has also been proven that cilantro carries an element that can fight off Salmonella. Thus, providing its partaker a more salutary digestive …

    Can Rabbits Eat Cilantro? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Corn?
    Fresh, dried, or cooked corn, all of them are not safe for your bunny. It is very unfortunate to say because some bunnies love to munch on fresh and sweet corn very much. While the hull of corn kernels carries complex polysaccharides. Normally, rabbits find it hard to digest complex polysaccharides. So, corn is considered …

    Can Rabbits Eat Corn? Read More »

do rabbits need to live in pairs

Do rabbits need to live in pairs?

Leave a Comment / Bonding Rabbits, Information, Rabbit Behavior, Rabbit Comfort / By

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Before you decide to buy a rabbit and bring home to raise it as a pet, let us clear all the confusion first.

Do rabbits need to live in pairs?

The answer is YES. And it depends on the rabbit guardian too whether he/she can keep a single rabbit or not.

This post will ensure that you can raise pet rabbits well and understand why is it important for rabbits to have a companion. In this article, I will explain why should a rabbit owner get a second rabbit if they only have one pet rabbit. Because bunnies can get lonely on their own.

Yet a rabbit guardian can prevent their single bunnies from getting lonely by simply using the techniques I have provided in this article.

Do rabbits need to live in pairs?

YES, it is BEST to have a couple of pet rabbits. On the contrary, keeping a single rabbit is not a problem in a household.

But a rabbit guardian not bonding with the rabbit will create problems.

I have mentioned in my other articles many times that rabbits are very friendly and social animals. If you do not give your rabbit a friend. your rabbit will be lonely.

Regardless of who the friend is. You as a guardian can be your rabbit’s friend. A house rabbit spending time all by itself will be very bored in time. A bored rabbit will be very stressed in no time.

Stress will develop into loneliness. As result loneliness will aid in to deteriorate the lifespan of your domestic rabbits.

In order to have your bunny friend with you for a long time, a rabbit owner must buy a pair of rabbits. If you are hesitant that you cannot spend enough time with your single bunny friend, then you must not think of buying a single rabbit.

Keeping a single rabbit isn’t good for the rabbit’s health. You should buy a pair of rabbits or you decide that you will have plenty of time to bond with the house rabbit that you plan to keep single.

Do bunnies get lonely on their own?

Bunnies get very lonely on their own which most rabbit owners cannot understand. In order to understand your single rabbit is very lonely, you have to recognize the lonely rabbit behavior.

Unless you recognize the lonely rabbit behavior it will be difficult on your side to comprehend whether you should bring a second rabbit home or not.

Should I get a second rabbit?

Often a single rabbit owner is confused about getting a second rabbit because they think it is going to more expensive.

Which is not true in real life. Getting a second rabbit and raising them together is not as expensive as it seems.

Getting a second rabbit is less costly on your side if you think in the long run. Keeping a single rabbit can cause stress in your current pet rabbit.

A lonely single rabbit is more prone to getting sick, and you may have to visit the rabbit vet more often which is more expensive.

If you do not want to visit a vet more often and do not have plenty of time to spend with your bunny, it is best to bring another bunny companion for your older rabbit pet.

Which pairing of rabbits is best?

Pairing a male rabbit and a female rabbit is the best match. Therefore if you intend to buy new rabbits or simply bring home a second rabbit do bring a rabbit of the opposite gender.

Nevertheless, it is not impossible to pair a rabbit from the same gender. Two male rabbits or two female rabbits can easily go along with each other.

Rabbits from the same gender can be a great pair too.

In case you have decided to buy a male rabbit and a female rabbit, make sure they both are neutered and spayed.

Neutering and spaying ensure longer domestic rabbit lifespan, as well as the rabbits, will be less territorial.

It is equally important for pet rabbits that are paired with the same gender to be neutered and spayed. the reasoning for that is an unneutered/unspayed pair rabbit may get into a fight.

It will be difficult for you to pair them and create bonding among them. Due to the fact, unneutered and unspayed rabbits are extremely territorial.

What to do if you can’t afford a second rabbit?

In case you cannot afford a second rabbit at all, it is OK to have a single pet rabbit.

Keeping a single pet rabbit requires your attention. As the pet rabbit is alone and does not have a friend to bond with.

So in such scenario the rabbit owner which is you have to manage time to bond and play with your rabbit more often.

You have to learn to play with them and pet your rabbits. Toss some bunny toys.

Give them enough time to realize it is safe to be around with you and bond with them.

Though doing all the mentioned above, you have one downside of keeping a single rabbit. In case you are willing to take a vacation.

Maybe you intend to go out for the whole weekend. Your single rabbit is going to be very lonely and bored. Yet there is a way you can leave your rabbit alone for the weekend with proper precautions.

Are rabbits Ok living alone?

NO, rabbits are not OK at all living alone. A rabbit needs a companion to stay lively.

A lonely rabbit is stressed and more prone to getting sick.

You cannot keep a single rabbit as a pet without bonding with him. But one interesting fact about pet rabbit is that you can raise pet rabbits together with other pets like cats and dogs.

So if you already have a cat in your house and you have decided to buy a single domestic rabbit, it is not a problem at all.

Rabbit can bond with other pets like cats and dogs but with proper introduction and following the proper bonding stages.

Similarly, rabbits can have a friendship with a dog and they can play with each other, live with each other without getting bored.

But as rabbits are delicate small pets, you have to introduce a dog and a rabbit very carefully. A dog may hurt a rabbit without intention.

So as rabbits are not OK living alone, you must find a companion for your rabbits.

A companion for your rabbit can be another rabbit of the same gender or opposite gender.

Your old pet cat and dog can become friends with your rabbit.

Finally, if you really want to have a single rabbit, ensure that you have adequate time to play with your rabbits daily.

Regardless of a paired rabbit or a single rabbit always give your rabbits some bunny toys.

Want your rabbit to be happy and healthy?

Need other things for your rabbit?
Click on the links below for:
Rabbit food
Rabbit Toys
Rabbit cages and houses
Rabbit health and hygiene

Read more

Read more

  • Do Rabbits Need Shots?
    All pet owners want their pets to have long, happy, healthy lives. The same goes for those who own rabbits. However, there is one concept that can be very complicated for rabbit owners: Vaccines. Do bunnies require vaccinations? Are they even safe? These questions pose a real concern for bunny owners. We all want our …

    Do Rabbits Need Shots? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Pumpkins?
    Pumpkins are believed to be rabbits’ second-favorite orange vegetable, right after carrots. These winter squashes are mostly used as holiday pies, but they’re also packed with nutrition that’s important in a rabbit’s diet. Pumpkin is not toxic for rabbits but they should not be fed with it too often or in larger amounts. If you …

    Can Rabbits Eat Pumpkins? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Bell Peppers?
    Picking the appropriate fresh vegetables to supplement your pet rabbit’s diet can be an excellent way to turn out their nutrition. While bunnies receive most of their nutrients from fresh hay, attaching a regular supplement of fresh greens and veggies will equip them with vital vitamins and minerals. While most vegetables can aid in keeping …

    Can Rabbits Eat Bell Peppers? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Cilantro?
    Cilantro gives a touch of fresh taste to a variety of foods. Just like any other spices, cilantro also carries antioxidants that can remove dejected and unwanted metal particles in our bodies. It has also been proven that cilantro carries an element that can fight off Salmonella. Thus, providing its partaker a more salutary digestive …

    Can Rabbits Eat Cilantro? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Corn?
    Fresh, dried, or cooked corn, all of them are not safe for your bunny. It is very unfortunate to say because some bunnies love to munch on fresh and sweet corn very much. While the hull of corn kernels carries complex polysaccharides. Normally, rabbits find it hard to digest complex polysaccharides. So, corn is considered …

    Can Rabbits Eat Corn? Read More »

lonely rabbit behavior

Lonely rabbit behavior

12 Comments / Bonding Rabbits, Information, Rabbit Behavior, Rabbit Comfort, Rabbit in distress / By

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Realize all the lonely rabbit behavior first to better understand whether your new pet rabbit is lonely or simply stressed due to some unusual changes in its environment.

Knowing your rabbit’s lonely behavior will aid you to prevent your house rabbits from further feelings of depression.

I have described in this article several actions of rabbits which determines the rabbit is lonely. Unless you understand that your rabbit is lonely you can’t prevent your rabbits from getting stressed or sick.

A bunny has to be lively in order to stay healthy.

Below is an audio file which you can listen to if you do not want to read the full article.

Lonely rabbit behavior: Is my rabbit lonely?

In order to know if your rabbit is lonely or not you have to pay attention to your rabbit’s behavior.

A lonely rabbit may show signs of aggression towards other rabbits or its guardian. Similarly, a lonely rabbit will overeat and pull at its own fur.

A rabbit will act in different ways when they are lonely:

  1. A lonely rabbit will seek your attention and nudge at you;
  2. It may simply refuse to interact and bond with you. A lonely rabbit will not show any interest when you pet him/her or try to play with your rabbit.
  3. A lonely rabbit will show aggression towards other rabbits;
  4. A lonely rabbit will become destructive. They will bite furniture and rip off carpets with their tooth.
  5. A rabbit that is eating more than usual and pulling on its own far is also a lonely rabbit.

How to stop your pet rabbits from being lonely?

To stop your rabbits from being lonely or depressed, you can do any one of these:

  1. Introduce a rabbit of the opposite gender to your current pet rabbit. Allow time for them to become friends and follow the rabbit bonding stages for proper rabbit introduction.
  2. OR if you are not willing to bring home another pet rabbit, then make sure you spend plenty of time with your current pet rabbit.

Two above mentioned are the only ways to stop your pet rabbits from being lonely.

As well as you can bond a rabbit with other pets like cats and dogs. In order to bond a rabbit with a cat, you will have to be patient and follow the steps I have discussed here >>> Do cats and rabbits live together?

In case you have a dog as a pet and want your new rabbits to live happily with your dogs >>> Read HERE.

Human interaction to prevent rabbit depression.

A rabbit guardian must prevent their rabbit from getting depressed at any cost.

What shall you do if you do not have any other pet to bond with your bunny?

Do you have plenty of time to spend with your rabbits? If you have enough time to bond with your rabbit and be the best companion of your rabbit you can do as follows:

  1. Do not lock your rabbit inside a cage all the time. Rabbits like to run around and explore. Give them a running space and make sure you bunny-proof your house.
    If you cannot bunny-proof your house then choose a play-pen for bunnies to build a bunny running space.
  2. Your rabbits will explore themselves and in time slowly they will come close to you. Once they come close to you pet them slowly. Learn here how to pet a rabbit the right way?
  3. Do not pick up your bunny. Rabbits are prey animals and if you pick them up they may get scared. Get down to their level and play with them.
  4. Use rabbit toys for your rabbits. Toss some rabbit toys and see your rabbits playing with and chewing on them.
  5. Do not invade their space or they can think of you as their enemy. Allow your pet rabbits to come close to you.

Lonely rabbit after the death of a bonded partner.

A rabbit will get very lonely after the death of its bonded partner. Rabbits are very social animals and require a companion to remain happy and healthy.

Rabbits build a strong relationship with their partner and the death of their partner will cause severe stress and depression in a rabbit.

What can you actually do to prevent?

To prevent your pet rabbit from further loneliness you have to spend a lot of time with your rabbit. Do not allow your rabbit to remain lonely.

Try to bond with your grieving pet rabbit.

Your rabbit will grief and it will cause extreme stress in your rabbits. Once they are stressed beyond limits they will get sick very fast.

If you can’t spend sufficient time with your rabbit you can help your rabbit to come out of depression by introducing a new rabbit friend to improve the scenario.

However proper introduction is required before doing so. Do not expect your older rabbit to accept a new bunny companion right away.

Without correct rabbit bonding stages, the older rabbit may show signs of aggression towards the new bunny.

Follow the correct steps and perhaps it will help your grieving rabbit come out from depression.

Can rabbits die of loneliness?

YES, rabbits can die of loneliness. There have been several cases where a rabbit passed away after a few days of its bonded partner’s death.

Losing a friend or a bonded partner will cause the rabbit to grieve and depression. As a result, the grieving rabbit will be stressed.

AND in time the stressed rabbit will become unhealthy.

Staying in such a condition may result in the death of a lonely rabbit.

Therefore it is always a rabbit guardian duty to look after a lonely rabbit and do everything possible to keep the pet rabbit in a good shape.

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rabbit bonding stages

Rabbit bonding stages.

3 Comments / Bonding Rabbits, Information, Rabbit Behavior / By

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Bonding rabbits is very easy if you know the techniques and understand the behavior associated with rabbit bonding stages.

I have explained all the noticeable behavior that will allow you to realize when your rabbits have started to make a friendship with each other.

In this post, you will find the 2 stage process for bonding rabbits and answer to the frequently asked questions associated with bonding house rabbits or bunnies.

You may listen to the complete article here:

What is rabbit bonding?

Rabbit bonding means the gradual build-up of friendship among rabbits. Rabbits are very social animals.

In order to prevent rabbits from becoming lonely or reduce rabbit stress, bonding rabbits is essential.

What is the purpose of rabbit bonding?

The sincere purpose of bonding rabbit is to create an environment where two rabbits will live with each other happily.

If it is not a bonded rabbit pair, the rabbits may fight with each other if they are close enough. The rabbits will definitely act territorial.

Therefore it is important to bond rabbits or introduces two new rabbits with each other slowly and under supervision.

Trying to bond a new rabbit with your existing pet rabbit can be difficult. The previous pet rabbit may attack or show signs of aggression towards the new rabbit.

Unbonded rabbits may fight each other and can cause serious fatalities. Regardless of a male or a female rabbit, you have to follow rabbit bonding stages.

The practice of building a friendship and maintaining few basic rabbit bonding stages can create harmony among your rabbits.

As a result bonded rabbit will not be territorial anymore.

Which is the best rabbit pairing for bonding?

Any rabbit pairing works very well. However, the best pairing is between a neutered male rabbit and a spayed female rabbit.

A male and female pairing will bond with each other very well and it may not be as difficult as trying to bond two female rabbits.

Female rabbits can be very territorial in nature. Although two female rabbits are spayed, they will try to attack each other.

On the contrary, trying to bond two male rabbits can be quite easy. Neutered male rabbits can become very good friends.

But regardless of the gender of the pair, you have to follow the instructions in this article.

Can you bond different breeds of rabbits?

YES, you can pair two different breeds of rabbits that are spayed/neutered. And you have to also choose two different breeds that are similar in their size.

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.

Rabbit bonding stages:

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.

Bonding a pair of rabbits is not always easy neither difficult.

You have to be patient and observant of your rabbits’ behavior. Understand how the rabbits are reacting to the presence of each other.

Normally it takes 3 weeks for a pair to bond with each other. But in some unusual cases where the bunnies are too stubborn, it may take up 2 to 6 months for a bunny to bond with the other one.

Rabbit bonding stage 1.

The foremost thing you as a rabbit guardian have to do is allowing the rabbits to get used to with each other’s smell.

Rabbits are very sensitive to smells and a new rabbit close enough to each other can cause stress.

So allow some time for the bunnies to get used to with the smell.

You can start by keeping the two rabbits close to each other but in different cages. So they are not far yet pretty close.

Stressed rabbits are not happy rabbits. To get used to with each other smell you can keep the cages close or maybe you can use a playpen to divide the space they are running around.

Purpose of the playpen is to keep the rabbits apart so that the rabbits show no signs of aggression neither get into a fight.

Although they are close to each other and learn how the other bunny smells like.

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.

As well as you can share the same treatment for both of the rabbits.

Like human beings, rabbits require some time to date with each other before they become friends.

These process of keeping them separate using playpen or cage will allow them to know each other.

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.

Rabbit bonding stage 2.

Allow your rabbits to finally meet each other outside the cage only when you are satisfied that your pet rabbits have begun to know each other.

When you one them to meet each other, introduce them in a neutral territory where none of the rabbits have been before.

Neutral territory is best because none of the rabbits will act territorial towards the other rabbit.

Start this by keeping the rabbits together for a short period of time and under supervision. You can give them foods together which they may share.

Sharing and having foods together is a good sign.

Other than that there few common noticeable things which will aid you to understand how long it may take for the bunnies to fall in love with each other and become a bonded pair of rabbits.

First once the cage is removed and the rabbits are brought together, they may attack each other immediately. It is a negative sign of bonding rabbits. In such cases, you must go back to stage one and start by placing them in separate cages face to face each other.

Second, the rabbits may get close to each other right away and start playing with others. If they play with each other run around or sit near each other, that is a very good sign.

It means they are enjoying their time together and they are becoming friends now.

Third and the most common scenario is:

One of the rabbits regardless of the male or the female, one rabbit will approach the other. The first one to approach will sniff around, circle around the other rabbit.

One rabbit may also try to mount the other one. Do not worry about that much because that is how the rabbit will try to establish dominance. A submissive rabbit will quickly accept it.

However, a less submissive rabbit will run away.

As you will be observing them during the introduction process, keep an eye on them whether any one of the rabbits is being too stressed with the process.

Removing them from being in the same enclosure and placing them in their separate cages is the only thing you must do to reduce stress in your rabbits.

And you can try to bring them together the following day again.

Eventually, one of the rabbits will take control and be the dominant one. Similarly, they will become friends with each other too.

You can continue placing the rabbits together every day under the supervision and gradually increase the amount of time you give them together.

Nipping and fur pulling is a normal thing and there is no need to separate them if they are doing so. They must be separated right away if serious signs of aggression are seen.

How do you know if the rabbits are already a bonded pair?

The most noticeable thing is when you see them sitting close to each other and they have relaxed with each other’s companionship.

As well as they love to groom each other means these pair of rabbits are friends for life now.

Rabbit bonding problems and tips.

The most problematic stage out of all rabbit bonding stages is if the rabbit is not neutered/spayed.

Unneutered/unspayed rabbits tend to fight a lot. Being aggressive towards each other rather than being friends.

Here is something interesting to read by Bunspace >>> Stages bunnies go through while bonding.

Want your rabbit to be happy and healthy?

How to raise happy & healthy rabbits!
How to raise happy & healthy rabbits!

Click here to order the ebook How to raise healthy & happy rabbits!

Need other things for your rabbit?
Click on the links below for:
Rabbit food
Rabbit Toys
Rabbit supplies
Rabbit cages and houses
Rabbit health and hygiene

Read more

  • Do Rabbits Need Shots?
    All pet owners want their pets to have long, happy, healthy lives. The same goes for those who own rabbits. However, there is one concept that can be very complicated for rabbit owners: Vaccines. Do bunnies require vaccinations? Are they even safe? These questions pose a real concern for bunny owners. We all want our …

    Do Rabbits Need Shots? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Pumpkins?
    Pumpkins are believed to be rabbits’ second-favorite orange vegetable, right after carrots. These winter squashes are mostly used as holiday pies, but they’re also packed with nutrition that’s important in a rabbit’s diet. Pumpkin is not toxic for rabbits but they should not be fed with it too often or in larger amounts. If you …

    Can Rabbits Eat Pumpkins? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Bell Peppers?
    Picking the appropriate fresh vegetables to supplement your pet rabbit’s diet can be an excellent way to turn out their nutrition. While bunnies receive most of their nutrients from fresh hay, attaching a regular supplement of fresh greens and veggies will equip them with vital vitamins and minerals. While most vegetables can aid in keeping …

    Can Rabbits Eat Bell Peppers? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Cilantro?
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    Can Rabbits Eat Cilantro? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Corn?
    Fresh, dried, or cooked corn, all of them are not safe for your bunny. It is very unfortunate to say because some bunnies love to munch on fresh and sweet corn very much. While the hull of corn kernels carries complex polysaccharides. Normally, rabbits find it hard to digest complex polysaccharides. So, corn is considered …

    Can Rabbits Eat Corn? Read More »

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