Introducing to new rabbits gradually and under supervision, preferably in a space new to both rabbits. Read our blog: Adopting a companion for my lonely rabbit and helping them bond! Share this Keeping rabbits and guinea pigs together. It might take time and patience, and sometimes frustration, but it will be well worth it, your rabbit will be so much more content with a friend.
There is a great pairing guide available in our online shop. Pairing up Rabbits Bonding. The basics Rabbits value the company of other rabbits as much as they value food Introductions have to be conducted carefully. Where do I find a friend for my rabbit? If you are about to take on your first rabbit, please adopt a bonded pair from a rescue centre.
When to pair Winter is the best time of year to bond, because hormones are less of a factor. How to pair rabbits We would always recommend you let a good rescue do the pairing for you, especially if you have not tried to pair up rabbits before.
Before you start Rabbits may carry diseases, which may be spread from one to another. Alternatively, to reduce the time and cost of testing, they may both be assumed to be positive, and treatment started prior to mixing, and continued for a total of 28 days At home If you want to try to do the pairing yourself at home there are some ground rules.
Put the rabbits in nearby enclosures, where they can sniff each other through wire. If your existing rabbit is free-range, put the new rabbit in a cordoned-off section of this area. To help this you can also swap their litter trays over, or rub a cloth over one bunny and then the other.
Once the rabbits are used to the sight and smell of each other, start putting them together for very short periods of time in strictly neutral territory where neither has been before — try the bathroom, but not the actual bath! Make sure you put lots of distractions in with them, so three piles of hay, three piles of herbs, and a tunnel for example. Make sure there is nowhere that one rabbit can get backed into and trapped.
You will need to be in this area with them. At the slightest sign of tension, separate the rabbits. Try again next day, gradually increasing the time the rabbits spend together. It is becoming more widely known that rabbits that live in groups or pairs are so much happier, those that live alone can easily become bored, lonely and depressed.
Imagine sitting on your own all day with no other humans to talk to for the rest of your life - you'd wish you had at least one friend to talk to! When you have a pair of rabbits the only added expense really is vet bills - vaccinations and checkups for example, plus a bit added onto the food bill!
With regard to housing, your 2 bunnies will share everything so you still only need 1 water dish, 1 food bowl, 1 toilet etc. Contrary to popular belief, rabbits and guinea pigs should NOT be paired together or live together, for a number of reasons, which you can read about on our page: Can guinea pigs live with rabbits?
A guinea pig does not make a cheaper partner for a rabbit, and it will actually be more work looking after 2 different species' different dietary, living and medical needs. Both rabbits and guinea pigs need company of their own kind. Fantastic and good on you! Contact your local rescue Click here to search for your nearest one and they will help you and give great advice.
Some rescues allow you to bring your exising pet bunny along for a 'date' where you can let your rabbit choose which one he gets on with the best! Some of the best pairings work this way. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Keeping a single pet rabbit requires your attention. As the pet rabbit is alone and does not have a friend to bond with.
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