Introducing rabbits to each other can be a wonderful experience if you approach it in the right way. Here are some tips from our rabbit experts to help get you started.

We’re often approached by families who already have a rabbit and would like to adopt a new one. It’s entirely possible to bring a new rabbit into your household if you have one already, but there are a few rules you’ll need to stick by to make sure the process runs smoothly. Firstly:

  • All single rabbits should be introduced gradually.
  • Recently bereaved rabbits should be given at least a couple of weeks to adjust to their loss.
  • While some male/male pairings can work, we do not advise this mix and recommend a male/female or female/female pairing.
  • All rabbits should be neutered before bonding as they are highly hormonal and territorial animals. Neutering will increase the likelihood of a successful bonding and will prevent unnecessary breeding.

What you’ll need:

  • Separate living areas for each rabbit until they are bonded.
  • A neutral area for bonding. This must be a secure place that neither rabbit has been before.
  • A towel and dustpan so you can intervene if needed.
  • At least two of everything they need (bowls, litter trays, hides, tunnels etc.)
  • Patience and perseverance!

What to do:
Following this step-by-step method of rabbit bonding is the best and safest way to bond rabbits. It can take a few weeks to a few months.

If the rabbits have a proper fight at any time (i.e. where rabbits are injured), it is unlikely that the bond will work and they should not be introduced again.

If you are successful in bonding rabbits, they should not be separated unless absolutely necessary. If one is spending time at the vet, their friend should go with them in the carrier, they will stick together for comfort during stressful experiences.

Step one: getting them used to the sight and smell of one another

  • Put the rabbits in nearby enclosures where they can sniff each other through the wire.
  • Swap them into each other’s enclosures each day so that they get used to having another rabbit within the territory.
  • This step should be carried out each day for at least one week.

Step two: short introductions in a neutral area

  • Once the rabbits are relaxed at the sight and smell of one another, you can start putting them together for very short periods of time in a strictly neutral territory. (This means an area where neither rabbits have been before).
  • Ensure there are plenty of distractions and at least three of everything (feed and water bowls, hiding areas). There should not be anything in the run that they can use to trap each other, such as carriers. Giving them a large pile of hay and forage/veg will encourage them to eat together.
  • You will need to be in the area with them and have a towel/dustpan ready in case you need to intervene at any time. At the slightest sign of tension, separate the rabbits. Some initial introductions may only last a few minutes.
  • Repeat this step each day, and try to end the session on a good note.

Step three: increase time in the neutral area

  • Following the instructions in step two, gradually increase the amount of time the rabbits spend together. This can be as little as a minute or so. Repeat this until the rabbits are completely relaxed in each other’s company.
  • A little bit of chasing and nipping is normal, as is mounting, as long as one rabbit is accepting this from the other rabbit, and it diffuses quickly. If one rabbit puts its head down to be groomed, this is the dominant rabbit, and by grooming him/her the other rabbit is showing acceptance of this.

Step four: leave them alone unsupervised

  • When the rabbits are happy to groom each other and lie down together without incident, they can be left alone unsupervised. They should still be monitored and checked on regularly.
  • They must be put into a new/clean pen once bonded, not one either of them have lived in before without being thoroughly disinfected. All of their hides, toys etc. should be clean too.

When they’re successfully bonded, rabbits do enjoy living together, but introductions have to be made sensitively and carefully. If this is done right, you could find that you’ve got two little friends for life!