Mixed-sex pairs usually work best, so if you are thinking of getting rabbits for the first time, it's advisable to get a male and female, although same-sex pairs are not uncommon. Obviously if you take on an already bonded pair then it's all been done for you!
Mixed-sex pairs usually work best, so it is advisable to get a male and female, but it is absolutely essential that rabbits are desexed safely before pairing is about to take place. Male rabbits can be desexed at 10-12 weeks old and females at 16-20 weeks old.
Rabbits can live happily in male/female, female/female, male/male pairings and larger mixed groups.
Ideally, rabbits will be kept together in groups familiar from birth. Litter mates of either sex are usually ideal companions, as long as they are neutered. Otherwise, a good combination is often a neutered male and a neutered female, as bonding neutered rabbits of the opposite sex is usually easiest.
Having two bonded rabbits can provide them with years of joy and fun. First, you'll want to make sure that both rabbits are spayed/ neutered prior to bonding as it will make the process easier. While female – male bonding tends to be easier, you can certainly bond two females or two males together.
Female rabbits that aren't neutered are more likely to fight with other female rabbits as well as with males. However, a fight between two males who aren't neutered is more likely to turn deadly than other types of fights.
Rabbits can live happily together as: a neutered male and a neutered female – often the most successful combination. two litter brothers or two litter sisters – although there is no risk of pregnancy, it's important to still neuter as hormones will cause them to fight as they get older.
Barring the odd rogue rabbit that likes the lonely life, rabbits generally benefit from the company of other rabbits. They will often be far happier and content with a mate. Rabbits are not that unlike humans, they also get bored, even depressed, and when they do, they often act it out with destructive behaviour.
Two unneutered males should not be kept together. The larger rabbit will likely hurt or kill the younger one. You are going to need to get them neutered or get a separate cage immediately. Or find one of the rabbits a new home.
Because rabbits form such powerful bonds with one another, the loss of a bonded companion can cause depression and illness. It is advisable to adopt another suitable rabbit as a friend if a loss means that a rabbit is left without a companion long-term.
Not only is it less likely a female rabbit will spray (though they do occasionally), but they also tend to have better overall litter box habits and keep themselves cleaner with their self-grooming behaviors.
Do – House the rabbits separately but close together. They will get used to seeing each other and to each other's scent if they are close to one another. Make sure the cages are not close enough for them to be able to bite each other. Do – Be prepared for this to take several months.
The easiest way to tell which one of your rabbits is dominant is to watch their grooming. A dominant rabbit will groom the other rabbits far less and for shorter periods of time than the other animals. A dominant rabbit will often thrust their heads towards the other rabbits.
Males tend to be more easy going and relaxed while females are usually "the boss" of any household. In the wild, rabbits pair up into couples with the female digging their burrow and the male defending her and the burrow against intruders.
Both boys and girls can smell pretty rank. It's hormones, so spaying/neutering fixes that problem (along with hormonal behaviors). Boys and girls both hump. Some more than others, but gender doesn't necessarily matter.
At home. If you want to try to do the pairing yourself at home there are some ground rules. Two baby rabbits (under 12 weeks of age) that are the same sex, or a “love at first sight” couple, can live with each other immediately. All other combinations will need to be carefully and gradually introduced.
Rabbits can bite, claw or swat at each other potentially inflicting great harm. For this reason, all bonding must be supervised. A good way to have your rabbits become acquainted is to place their pens/cages next to each other. By keeping a bit of space between them, you can avoid fighting.
Rabbits just LOVE company!
Most owners house a pair of rabbits, but keeping three or four are also popular options. Be sure that you have enough space to comfortably house all your rabbits, or else you'll have to purchase multiple runs to create enough space.
In the wild, rabbits live in big groups and they enjoy being with friends who will play with them, groom them, understand them and look out for them. So if these sociable animals are kept on their own, they may become bored, depressed, and very lonely.
Even if you have a pair of rabbits, 24 hours is the maximum time they should be alone. Like all pets, rabbits rely heavily on their owners. Domesticated rabbits lack the survival skills of wild rabbits. Your rabbit has basic needs surrounding food, exercise, and stimulation.
The very best rabbit pairs are a spayed female and a neutered male as both will become a little less territorial and therefore more likely to bond. Two neutered male rabbits can sometimes be kept together but adults should only be introduced by experienced keepers.
Put each rabbit in separate runs next to each other but with a barrier between them - or two rooms separated by a baby gate for indoor buns. Keeping them apart but swap each rabbit over into the other run several times each day. This helps to stop the rabbit's deciding a run is their own territory.
Our bunnies live 8-12 years; it is against the odds for an unspayed female to live that long. Spaying female bunnies will literally add years to the happy life of your rabbit.
Put the rabbits in nearby enclosures, where they can sniff each other through the wire. If your existing rabbit is free range, put the new rabbit in a small separated area so they can get used to each other's scent. You can swap around their litter trays and rub a cloth over each transferring scents.
In the wild, rabbits will often live in extremely large groups, with parents and babies all in the same structure. Whilst most owners house a pair of rabbits, keeping three or four are also popular options.