If you have a single rabbit, you might want to get a second to give them some company. After all, rabbits are not solitary creatures in the wild, and they could often use a little companionship. However, you do need to make sure that you handle the introduction of the rabbits properly. Here are some of our best tips to help you pull off this crucial introduction smoothly.

Prepare for the New Arrival

You might have to make several key updates to prepare for the arrival of your new rabbit. If you are replacing one who passed away, you might already have a hutch and run which is big enough for two rabbits. If not, you need to make sure that you have one that will be able to accommodate them.

You also might need to update your pet insurance from Petsure and ensure that small details like registering the new rabbit at the vet are taken care of. If you have ensured that all of these small details are taken care of, you won’t have to worry about small distractions like these and can instead focus on ensuring that your bunnies bond correctly. This should be your primary focus, and you need to make sure that you are doing all you can on your part to keep it stress-free for your bunnies.

Make Sure the Rabbits’ Wellbeing is Good

Before you even put them together, you need to make sure that your rabbits are taken care of properly and that they are in a good mood. Think about it, how would you like to be introduced to someone new when you aren’t feeling well?!

Take both bunnies to the vet, separately, and make sure that they have are healthy and happy. You should also get them neutered if you haven’t already. The best bonded bunnies are a male and female pair. If you don’t get them neutered you can very quickly end up with a lot more bunnies on your hands than your original pair!

The Three S’s

Introducing and bonding rabbits is based around the three S’s – scent, sight, and snacks. If you are able to cover all three when helping your rabbits meet, you will hopefully be able to help the bonding process move on at the right pace.

The first is scent, the equivalent of a handshake to a rabbit. Swap toys and beddings between the hutches where your rabbits are being kept separate. This will help them to get used to one another’s scent. Next, you need to cover sight. Put them in separate runs or hutches where they will be able to see, hear, and smell each other. Finally, feed them their favourite snacks and bring them closer and closer together as you do. This will help them to get used to being in each other’s company, especially during crucial moments like mealtimes.

Take It Slow

It can take longer than you might imagine to introduce a pair of rabbits to each other and get them bonded. Some positive signs can include the rabbits grooming each other or playing. Don’t be surprised if you see them trying to climb on top of one another too – this is one way that they try to work out who will be the boss of the pair of them.

If it seems like they aren’t interested in each other or if they start to fight, you need to separate them and potentially start introducing them again. Rabbits can get on incredibly well when bonded correctly. Before you know it, you could have a happy pair of bonded bunnies!