Neuter both rabbits before they meet
Please note that male rabbits can take up to six weeks to become sterile after they're neutered.
Give male and female rabbits time for their neutering surgery to heal before bonding them with another rabbit.
Start with side-by-side enclosures
Side-by-side enclosures help the rabbits to get familiar with each other from a safe distance. Provide a barrier between their enclosures that lets them see and smell each other and lie side-by-side. Each rabbit must be able to hide from one other whenever they want, so ensure they have constant access to hiding places.
There may be some unrest in the beginning. This is normal and may last about seven days. Once they seem comfortable in each other's presence, try swapping some of the rabbits' nesting materials over, or rubbing a cloth over one rabbit and then the other to transfer scent.
Prepare a neutral area separate from their enclosures
A neutral area needs to be somewhere neither rabbit has been housed before. Have hiding places and toys ready to put in the area, but leave it empty for when you first introduce them. Once the rabbits are comfortable with the sight and smell of each other, they can be introduced for short periods in the neutral area.
Take a look at these guidelines on how to introduce them safely.
- Supervise the rabbits. A familiar person should sit with them to supervise.
- Don't allow negative behaviour to escalate. While some negative behaviours are normal during introductions, these shouldn't be allowed to go too far. If they're mounting each other's heads or showing severe or persistent aggression towards each other, separate them immediately to stop injury. Please be careful not to get injured.
- Keep the area empty. During the first few introductions, the area should be completely empty so you can watch them at all times. If the introductions are going well, you can introduce toys, hiding places, tunnels, and so on. Make sure there are enough for both rabbits.
- If it's been a while and the rabbits you are trying to introduce are still not getting along, it might be that they need more time but it could also be that they're not a compatible pairing.
If the bonding is going well, gradually increase the time the rabbits are together during daily supervised sessions.
Good and bad signs when bonding rabbits
Look out for these signs to see whether or not your rabbits are getting along well.
Positive behaviour
- Sitting or lying side by side, even when the barrier is between them
- Grooming each other
- Seeking out each other for positive interactions
Behaving normally around each other
Negative behaviour
- Chasing each other
- Mounting
- Fighting
- Growling
How to tell the rabbits have bonded
Once the rabbits are spending one to two hours together daily without any problems, they can be introduced into their living space – though supervise them to begin with.
They can be left alone together safely once they're showing positive behaviours towards one another in that space.
Always speak to a vet for more detailed advice before attempting to bond rabbits. Be aware of the signs of positive and negative behaviour, and if you're concerned about your rabbit's behaviour, ask a vet.
