Happy rabbit relationships

Rabbits are naturally sociable creatures, and enjoy companionship, preferring to live in pairs or compatible groups. However, it is good to bear in mind some issues when introducing rabbits to each other and into your home.

It is easiest if rabbits are kept together from birth, but rabbits less than 12 weeks old will usually live together happily. The best combination is a neutered male and a neutered female. Two litter brothers or two litter sisters will also get on well, but it is important that they are both neutered to prevent fighting.

There are two main ways of introducing an unrelated male and female pair, and it will depend on how much space you have and the character of the rabbits as to which you decide to try. Whichever way you choose, it is important to follow these five golden rules:

1. Do not try to pair adult rabbits that are not neutered, regardless of sex. Neutering has many benefits, however, if the female rabbit is not a suitable candidate for spaying, she could still be paired with a neutered male. In this case, it is important to wait three weeks after he is castrated before they are introduced, to ensure that he can no longer produce viable sperm.
   
2. Also avoid breeding season if pairing an un-neutered female and a neutered male, as her raised hormone levels will make the introduction difficult.
   
3. It is advisable to choose rabbits of the same age and size. Also consider the rabbit's personality; two very confident and strong spirited rabbits may not be compatible.
   
4. Scent is the primary way that rabbits communicate with each other. Prior to the introduction, it is a good idea to swap furniture and bedding between hutches and also to brush or stroke each in turn; this way each rabbit will already know a bit about the other before they meet, simply by smell.
   
5. Start the introduction early on in the day, so that you have the whole day to supervise their interactions.   

Introducing rabbits on neutral territory
Use a large neutral territory (i.e. an unfamiliar area to both rabbits). This could be an escape proof area of a garden, a large run or a spare room such as a utility room.

Provide lots of hiding places so that the rabbits can get away from each other if necessary. As rabbits are territorial, be careful not to include items that can be defended. Open ended boxes, open beds and plastic tubes are best.

Scatter tasty and interesting items of food (such as fruit, vegetables and hay). This not only serves as a positive distraction when they first meet, but also each rabbit will associate the other with something pleasant.

Place the rabbits at opposite ends of the neutral area and let them meet in their own time. Some chasing, circling and mounting behaviour is normal and to be expected, but you may have to intervene if either rabbit starts to look stressed or they start to become aggressive. This is really important as a rabbit's skin is very thin and could tear easily if a fight was to occur. Signs that the rabbits are getting on are mutual grooming, eating together and lying down next to each other.

If the rabbits have bonded sufficiently over the course of the day, it may be possible to house them together overnight. Ideally the housing should be unfamiliar to both rabbits, but if you are using the existing hutch and run, make sure it is thoroughly cleaned and preferably moved to a different patch of grass. It is also far easier to introduce the female rabbit to the male rabbit's accommodation than the other way round, as females are more territorial than males. If you have any concerns at all, it is a good idea to keep them separate at night (as they cannot be supervised) and carry on with the introduction on the following day. In some cases, the pairing process may have to be a much more gradual process.

Introducing rabbits using two runs
This method allows the rabbits to slowly get used to each other's presence. It is also useful if you do not have a separate neutral area to do the above, or are unable to supervise all interactions between the two rabbits.

Put the two rabbits in separate runs, and arrange it so they are near or directly next to each other. During the course of the day, swap the rabbits over to prevent the rabbits establishing separate territories. As with the above method, add some tasty treats as a distraction.

When the rabbit's behaviour suggests they are happy with each other (e.g. lying down relaxed, side by side), you can then introduce them to a joint hutch/pen area, following the guidelines above. Take care not to rush this stage. Some rabbit pairs may take just a day to bond, whereas others may take several.

For more information on looking after your pet, visit the All About Pets website.