House Rabbit Network

By Suzanne Trayhan

Seeing two rabbits lie side by side kissing each other is so adorable to watch. If you’re looking to bond a new rabbit with your current one, here are some tips to guide them safely to a happy ending.

What sex rabbit should I choose to bond my rabbit with?

Either one. People mistakenly think they need to choose a rabbit of the opposite sex. While we tend to favor opposite sex pairings, between 25-33% of House Rabbit Network’s pairings are same sex. We also have some trios where clearly there are two rabbits of the same sex getting along. Don’t be afraid to try rabbits of both sexes.

Will my rabbit care which bun we choose as a mate?

Yes! Bunnies have definite opinions about each other. This is why we recommend introducing your rabbit to multiple rabbits. You’ll see differences in how they interact. Choosing the right bondmate will make bonding easier and typically results in a stronger bond.

What is speed dating?

Speed dating is where you go to a shelter and introduce your rabbit to 4-6 rabbits for 5-10 minutes each in succession. It’s a good way to quickly introduce them to several rabbits and get a read on which bunny might make a good bondmate. Typically, you can see differences in how they interact with each other.

What if the bunnies don’t seem interested in each other?

That’s fine! The most important thing is your rabbits need to learn to trust each other. As long as there isn’t any aggressive behavior, they could be a good match. They are interacting in their own way—aware of the other rabbit. They need to feel comfortable to build trust and bond.

How long does bonding take?

This is a hard question because there is a large range. Most bondings will take two to four weeks, however, there are some that take months and a small number that only take a week.

How long should a bonding session last?

Start out with shorter sessions, 5-20 minutes. Pay attention to how stressed they are versus how relaxed they are. If they are more relaxed you can start increasing time, first to 30 minutes, then to an hour, and eventually several hours. If they are stressed keep sessions short.

Where should I bond?

Bonding should take place in neutral space. By neutral we mean a place that neither bunny goes in and doesn’t contain the scent of either one. This is important because if either bunny thinks it’s their space they are more likely to be territorial and less accepting of the other rabbit. Also, if they are more out of sorts, they might be more likely to seek comfort from their potential bondmate.

What size space do I need?

To start out, a space of about 6’ x 6’ to 8’ x 8’ is good. If you use a space that is too big, then the buns will just divide the territory in half. You also don’t want something too small because it’s stressful to be right on top of the other bun. This size provides enough space that they can move away from each other but are still very much aware.

How frequently should I bond?

You can do several bonding sessions a day as long as they are spaced several hours apart. When you are starting and sessions are short, you can try three to four bonding sessions in a day. This is more difficult once your sessions are longer. Make sure you are doing at least one session each day.

Should I let my rabbits fight it out? Never let your rabbits fight it out. First, there could be a serious injury where your rabbit might need stitches and/or surgery or get a nasty infection. Second, it sets them back several steps in the bonding process.

Should I let my rabbit mount the other rabbit?

No. When one rabbit mounts the other one, you should brush them off. While mounting itself is not harmful, the bun being mounting might be upset and bite the other bunny. This can start a fight and set the bonding back. If a male reverse mounts a female, in rare instances, she might bite his penis, causing serious injury.

Do only boys mount?

Both male and female rabbits mount. Besides mating, mounting is a way of showing dominance over another rabbit.

How do I prevent fights?

Try to read body language. Look for the ears partially back, tense, and tail up. Talk to your rabbit—tell them, “No bite.” It can be good to wear heavy gloves or put sneakers on your hands to help separate them. You can also hold a dustpan or other similar item in between them.

How long after a spay neuter should I wait before bonding?

You need to wait at least three weeks after surgery to make sure your rabbit has healed from their surgery. In a small number of cases, you might need to wait longer if your rabbit had very strong hormones and the hormones still need to subside a bit. You can do some preliminary bonding while waiting—things like having them in cages where they can see each other and swapping litter boxes so they get used to the other rabbit’s scent. Just hold off on any physical contact for at least three weeks.

Should I have a litter box in the pen? What about a carrier?

Neither one should be in the bonding space, at least when you start. If you place a litter box in the pen, sometimes one bunny will hang out in the box, claiming it as their space and acting territorial. That interferes with bonding. So, for the first several sessions, avoid a litter box. Never put a carrier in there— again one bun may claim it and if they start to fight, it would be difficult to reach in and separate them.

Should I take my rabbits on car rides?

Not necessarily. Stress bonding can be a useful tool if your rabbits are fighting or not getting along. However, if the bonding is going smoothly, why stress them out?

What are trust dates?

Trust dates are where you sit in a pen with your rabbits but don’t let them interact. You keep them two feet apart. This allows them to get used to each other. They start to relax as the other bunny has not attacked them. They don’t realize that you’re preventing it.

Is there love at first sight?

There’s love at first sight but it’s very rare and you shouldn’t expect it. Fewer than 1% of the bondings are love-at-first-sight bonds. Just because your rabbits seem to get along when they first meet, please don’t place them together in a cage on the first day. You should also not expect kissing, snuggling, or grooming on the first few dates.