Related Articles Can They Ever Be Friends? Can This Marriage Be Saved? Are Two Rabbits Right For You? Bonding Rabbits Bonding When the Going Gets Tough FAQ: Rabbit - Dog Introductions FAQ: Rabbit - Cat Introductions

• Overview
• Why is a second rabbit a good idea?
• Are there exceptions to the Rule?
• If rabbits crave companionship, why are introductions often so difficult?
• How about a threesome?
• Will my rabbit give all his affection to his new friend and have none to spare for me?
• For More Info:

Overview

Why is a second rabbit a good idea?

• The need for companionship is so deeply ingrained in rabbits that centuries of domestication have had little impact. Like humans and many other creatures, European wild rabbits (ancestors to our domestic rabbits) need to live in groups. A community or warren consists of as many as a hundred individuals working together to create, maintain and peacefully share a network of tunnels. Their lives include daily cooperation to find food, watch for and warn of predators, and protect, raise, and teach their young.

• The need for companionship can be met partially by a human, but once you live with a bonded pair or trio you will see that even the most devoted human cannot quite fill the bill. Bonded pairs are rarely out of each other's sight. Humans will never be completely fluent in Rabbit. Rabbits talk to each other constantly, not so much with sounds as with movements. There are large movements such as dancing and grooming, and there are quite small communications of breath and slight shifts in position. You can sense some of this quiet conversation by lying on the floor beside two talkative rabbits. The bond between human and rabbit also can be deep and joyful. In fact, the closer we become to our rabbits, the more clearly do we understand their need for a friend of their own kind.

• Fortunately for all of us, what's good for the bunny is very good for her human. HRS Colorado Chapter Manager Nancy LaRoche writes, "Pairs are much easier to care for, get into far less trouble, are happier, and tend to relate better to people. Boredom leads to bunny-in-trouble, and pairs don't get nearly as bored because they are so busy relating to each other. Many adopters have told me, 'If anyone doubts that pairs get into less trouble and relate better to people, tell them to call me! If I had known how much easier two rabbits would be, I'd never have gotten just one.'"

• Boredom and depression are common symptoms of loneliness in rabbits. These are accompanied by destructiveness and hyperactivity in some rabbits (generally the smaller breeds), withdrawal in others.

• By adopting your new friend from a shelter or rescue group you can save two lives, which feels even better than saving one.

Are there exceptions to the Rule?

There are some medical reasons for not adopting a second rabbit. Rabbits of opposite sexes who are not spayed/neutered should never be with one another. In addition to being good preventive health care, altering allows for smooth introductions and loving long-term relationships between same-sex partners as well as male/female pairs. We have discussed spay/neuter in many previous articles and consider it a cornerstone of medical and behavioral health for all rabbits. Rabbits who are not altered will produce more rabbits, adding to the overpopulation problem. An unneutered rabbit who is too elderly for surgery, or a neutered individual who is frail or sick may not be able to handle the stress of an introduction to another rabbit, but may be a good candidate for a guinea pig friend.

Two rabbits are generally not more expensive than one. Pellets, hay, fresh fruits and vegetables, and litter-shopping for two puts little additional strain on the budget. The exception is medical care. Both must be spayed/neutered, and even if you start with a spayed/neutered pair, one or both rabbits may become ill and require veterinary care.

If rabbits crave companionship, why are introductions often so difficult?

Introductions are often difficult for the supervising human. I have attended many introductions over the years, and only the firsthand observation of the happy, peaceful outcome of these skirmishes has reduced the stress level for me. If you're not fortunate enough to be an HRS fosterer, the next best thing is the video "Introducing Rabbits." This shows in detail the process by which rabbits who start out as implacable enemies are transformed into inseparable friends.

How about a threesome?

This is a primary reason for having a threesome, but there are other benefits for you and for the rabbits. As with pairs, the only real increase in expense is medical care. The pleasure of observing and participating in interactions among rabbits increases exponentially with the number of animals present.

Will my rabbit give all his affection to his new friend and have none to spare for me?

There are special bonds among individuals, but no one is excluded. We can also look to our own hearts for the answer. Will you love your resident rabbit less when you have two--or more--with whom to share your days?

For More Info: