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01 Aug 2014
Introducing New Rabbits To Your Family
Posted By : Guest Filed Under : Rabbits | Pet Care
So you’ve decided to adopt rabbits. Congratulations on your new, furry family members. Rabbits are one of the most popular pets in South Africa.

Introducing Rabbits to the People and Pets in Your Life

Whenever you introduce new members to your family, you’ve got to be sensitive. It’s true for baby humans, old dogs and young bunnies. Remember that although you know and love all the people (and pets) in your family, they are all strangers to your new rabbits. And, as they are prey animals, rabbits are often afraid of the unknown.



Most adults have the patience to wait until the new rabbits hop over to say hello. However, some children may find it difficult to wait. When making introductions, ask your children to remain seated on the floor without making any startling movements until the new bunnies make the first move. Children must also be reminded to stroke rabbits slowly, not to pull on their ears, and to keep away from sharp rabbit teeth.

Your rabbits will feel much more secure being stroked by your children on the floor. Being picked up can be a scary experience for a rabbit, so they should be slowly acclimatised to it and should only be picked up by a competent person.

If you have other pets, such as cats and dogs, remember that rabbits are prey animals and introductions to other species can be very stressful. Its best to keep them separated. With other rabbits you will have to exercise just as much patience and caution. Introductions should be made through a wire mesh fence so that each rabbit has a chance to get used to each’s scent. Always supervise introductions, rabbits are very territorial and can be aggressive towards other unfamiliar bunnies. It can take a couple of weeks for rabbits to fully bond, so patience is the key.

What Can You Do to Help?

Remember that introductions are just the beginning of a long relationship. It’s more important to keep everyone calm and peaceful than it is for everyone to fall in love at first sight. And, because rabbits are instinctively timid, there are a few things you can do to ease the process:
  • Limit the number of people or pets to be introduced in one sitting. Too many bodies can be overwhelming.
  • If you’ve adopted a pair of rabbits, allow them to meet new people and animals together; bonded rabbits will take comfort in their partners.
  • If the situation becomes tense, break it up and try again at another time.
  • Don’t leave children or other pets alone in a room with your new rabbits, even for a moment. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye.
  • Ensure all animals are up to date on their vaccinations before coming into contact with other animals.
Top Tips to Take Away:
  • Remember that rabbits are naturally skittish; introductions are a process – not a quick handshake.
  • Children are likely to be excited to meet their new furry friends. You will need to remind them to behave as cautiously as the rabbits.
  • Keep calm; if greetings become too tense, it’s better to try again later, than to allow apprehension to grow.

 

 
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