BONDING RABBITS; A BULLET POINT CHECKLIST

The domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus)

• From Europe originally
• First kept as pets in the 1800’s (first as food source in first century)
  • Belgian Hares became popular in the US
• Social animals that live in large warrens
• Social Hierarchy present
• Even though they are domestic, instinctive behaviors are still present

 
Rabbits Are Social Animals

• Pairs are recommended
• Companionship allows
  • Mutual Grooming
  • Security
  • Less likely to be destructive due to boredom
• Male /Female bonds are easiest and recommended
  • Both rabbits should be spayed/neutered
  • Wait 30 days before beginning introductions
• Bonding must be carefully done
• Costs will increase

Bonding

• Provide two separate pen units side by side need to be set up
  • Two exercise pens or habitats side by side where they can see, hear, smell and talk. Everything except TOUCH.
• Towels or broom
  • In case a rumble breaks out
• Neutral Territory
  • For closely monitored bonding time
• Shelters have speed dating to find initial match
  • More time will be needed at home to ensure they bond

 
Once home from speed date

• They cannot just live together yet
• They need to build trust
• Rabbits can and will fight to establish dominance and territory
• You need to be the referee
• These methods can be used if a pair bond is broken
• It is never safe to leave rabbits alone together until the bond has been sealed

 
Bonding Behaviors

• Ignoring each other
  • This is actually good
  • At least they aren’t fighting 
• Chasing
  • Is natural and normal
  • Is used to establish dominance
  • Circling can be normal as well 
• Mounting
  • Used to establish dominance
  • May result in bites to the underside (watch for annoyance)
  • Will continue throughout the relationship and be a sign of possession 
• Nipping
  • OK as long as both bunnies are OK with it
  • You may see fur pulled or small bite wounds
  • This is part of establishing hierarchy
  • Stop them if they start moving in a tight circle or chasing tails
  • Serious damage follows this
  • Makes it hard for the damaged bun to trust the other
• Mirroring
  • This is good
  • What one bun does, so does the other 
• Mutual grooming
  • This is great!
  • They may start by sitting near each other and grooming themselves.
  • One bun will approach the other and put their head down – requesting grooming.
  • The other responds by grooming them, good bonding is occurring 
• Bunny Flops and Binkies
  • Show trust during bonding 
• Tail waggle
  • Is flirting behavior
•  Thumping with back legs
  • Shows frustration- Bun is not getting what it wants
  • Bun wants attention now
• Butt
  • Bun turns and shows you or the other rabbit it’s backside
  • Bun is not getting what it wants
  • Bun is disapproving of the situation 
• Eating near the other Bun
  • Shows trust and not stressed
  • Always have food out during bonding sessions

 
Neutral Territory Needed
Never attempt bonding in an area that the buns live
Large space is needed – kitchen or similar
It can be the exercise area if nothing else is available
Always set up a pen.  This prevents them from getting under something and fighting
Provide greens and hay
 
How long should the date last?
For the unsure bond: 15-minute date and build up from there.
Slow and steady wins the race!
It takes time to build that trust bond.
You do not have to do a date every day
You can do two 15-minute dates a day ,or if things are going well do a long marathon session. Just use your judgement.
Some bonds will happen fast while others can take some time and TLC.
 
Helping the Bonding Process

• Swapping
  • Changing back and forth between pens
  • They get used to each other’s odors
  • Obviously, they are not in the pens together
• Swapping stuffed animals
  • For scenting and decoy to decrease territorial drive
  • This may be more important than the dating
  • Do it even if you cannot do the date every day
  • Great item to bring when spay/neuter time arrives (or any seperation)

 
Exercise

• Bunnies still need exercise even if they aren’t getting along yet
  • Simply take turns
  • Use a barrier to protect noses from bites through pen bars
  • Litter box habits may not be great until they are bonded
• Free Roamers
  • You need to purchase a pen

 
How can you help the process?

• “Bunny Magic”
  • Place buns next to each other and pet them at the same time
  • This spreads their scent all over both of them
  • Do it at the end of each date
• “The Standoff”
  • Buns face each other with their heads down
  • Give them both a scritch on the head if one doesn’t start grooming the other
• Serious Fights
  • “Bunny Tornado”
    • Bun will have their tail up and ears back first
    • Followed by tight circling and biting
    • This must be stopped right away
    • Place the soft broom between them.  Yell if you have to
    • They will bite you so no hands
  • Assess damage.  Go to vet if in doubt
  • This results in a 2 weeks ban from dating
  • Continue the cage swap and stuffed animal swap

 
Trouble Still

• Give them a larger space
  • Be sure it is neutral
  • 2 week ban until date but continue the swap
  • 
    
• How long does bonding take?
  • Hard to predict but anywhere from immediate to many months

 
Older methods of bonding

• Bathtub bonding, small cage in the back seat of the car
  • Considered stress bonding
  • No longer acceptable
  • Gentle method is best

 
Male/Male or Female/Female Pairs?

• The easiest bondings are male / female
  • After bunnies are spayed and neutered it is easier to bond same sex rabbits.
• A bromance ( male-male) bonding can happen.
  • It will be more difficult.  Best they be neutered before they meet.
  • You need to expect a longer courtship and be willing to put in a little more time.
• Female/Female bond
  • Female-female bondings are the most difficult.
  • It is easier if they are litter mates or siblings.
  • Extra time and a longer courtship may be needed.
  • They may unbond for a time after the spay.  Get them together the day after the procedure and monitor.  Dominance may need to be re-established.
  • Follow the Bonding instructions
  • This combination rarely works out 

Are They Bonded yet? Here is your checklist:

• Laying side by side
• Grooming each other
• Eating together
  • Provide 2 bowls to prevent jealousy
• Using the same litter box
  • Nipping is common in the box
  • They may require two boxes
• Playing together
• Sleep and nap together
  

Move in Day

• Clean the area well
• Bowls, houses, blanket.  Use white vinegar
• Rearrange everything to make it seem new
• Still give them lots of space
• Do it during daytime
• This way you will know if it is going to work before the first night together

 
 
Other Behaviors Defined FYI

• Binkies – jumping and spinning in the air
  • Happy bunny
• Flop
  • Contented and comfortable
• Grunting
  • Warning, Bunny trying to be fierce
• Circling your feet
  • Means “I love you”
• Chinning
  • Marking territory with chin glands
• Soft vs loud teeth grinding
  • Soft grind is happy/content
  • Loud grind is discomfort
• Nips
  • For attention, bunny isn’t getting something it wants

 
Much of this is taken from the good people at the Bonding Rabbits: A How to from Georgia HRS | House Rabbit Society
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