Bonding is one of the most important parts of rabbit life, because it means they are hopefully getting a new friend!
But bonding is not all roses and sunshine and many things can go wrong in the process, that’s why we recommend you using the shelter’s bonding services if they have any.
Rabbits are quite territorial, especially if male and/or not neutered or spayed, thus introducing a second bunny in what is considered “their territory” can turn into fights, abuse, and death.
Other rabbits, although not aggressive, may display obvious dislike behaviours such as urinating over the rabbit head or belongings, chasing, humping, biting, and more.
You should be carefully observant and ready to ensure this behaviour does not continue. Another behaviour you may want to check on are fear and anxiousness, and rabbits feeling this should be let to rest temporarily or the bonding must be stopped.
It is thus recommended to ensure that the place where bonding takes place in is somewhere neutral, and that the rabbits can be easily separated with the help of barriers or wire walls.
Bonding experts say that bonding shouldn’t take more than a week or two.
They also dislike the terms “Dominant” and “Submissive” as those don’t reflect how real relationships work.
Stress bonding (getting both rabbits in a stressful situation) is also discouraged, as it makes the rabbits go through a bad situation and achieves nothing.
Bonding takes time and patience, and it can sadly never work out, but the key to success is trying!
If you want to know more about bonding, you should talk to your nearest shelter, but if in need of information, you can find it here:
The Educated Rabbit’s information sheet about bonding.
The Educated Rabbit’s frequently asked questions page about bonding.
Rabbit personalities change and can be malleable with time and circumstances.
They tend to be quite reserved about their real personality unless they feel comfortable and safe.
Usual behaviours include curiosity and shyness, but generally, this can change from rabbit to rabbit.
Although each rabbit has their own personality there are clear stages of personality development that can be foreseen:
When they’re babies they tend to be trusting and a bit careless. Easy to approach and loving.
Once they reach sexual maturity (5-6 months of age), their personalities begin developing, and they go through a teenager stage, where they may become less attached to you and independent.
The first two months after reaching maturity may be a bit rocky.
Within that time, I felt like Soap did not like me at all, and absolutely wanted to avoid me.
Now, at 1.5 years of age, he has become mellower, but he still wants respect for his personal space.
And that’s part of his personality.
At around 1.5 to 2 years, rabbits settle down to their now adult personality, and will stay like that for a very long time.
Circumstances can greatly affect how a rabbit personality develops. Rabbits that have lived through abuse easily develop behavioural issues like extreme fear, aggressiveness, tics, and mistrust. There are though other rabbits that after the abuse and their rescue become the sweetest more loving and trusting animal.
Personality is something to consider when bonding rabbits. You wouldn’t want to try and bond two territorial rabbits that will be conflictive with each other.
I’d even say that behaviour and personality is even more important than the rabbits’ gender.
Thus you must find compatible rabbits that are either already bonded, or that you understand could be a nice partner with your own pet.
If you want to learn more about rabbit personalities and behaviour you can see:
The Educated Rabbit’s page on Personalities and Behaviour.
The Educated Rabbit’s guide on Shy Rabbits.
The Anti-Cruelty Society’s post about Rabbit Personalities and their Lifespan.
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