Pet Habitat South Africa

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20 Sep 2014

Your Rabbit Needs A Friend

Posted By : Guest

Filed Under : Rabbits | Pet Care

Some animals will do just fine as the only one of their kind in your home (though most do better in a pair or more). Dogs, for example, typically don’t mind being the only one as long as there is plenty of attention and the delicious smells of other dogs on their evening walk.

However, rabbits specifically do not do well when they’re the only one in your family. Indeed they crave the love and attention of other rabbits. And, believe it or not, for such quiet animals, they spend an awful lot of time communicating with their rabbit friends. So, even though you may be tempted to get yourself a single rabbit to “test the waters,” it really should be all or nothing (and you should be fully committed to any pet you bring home before finalising an adoption).

Rabbits Live in Large Groups in the Wild

Although it may seem like it has been ages since you spotted a wild rabbit, it takes a long time for domestication to wear down the habits and norms that exist in the wild. And in the wild, rabbits live in remarkably large groups. There could be several dozen in any one group (which are called warrens). While all these rabbits will live and work with each other for the benefit of the entire warren, each individual rabbit will always have a special best friend, or perhaps two if they’re really friendly. To a rabbit these pairs and groups offer them safety and companionship. Take this away, and rabbits become ridiculously uncomfortable – and seven more frightened and skittish than they are normally.

Bonded Rabbits

Rabbits always feel best when they are with another rabbit that they know very well. So, when you adopt a baby bunny, it’s best to get another rabbit from the same litter if you can. These animals will already know each other and trust each other when you bring them to their forever home. A couple of rabbits that act like they’re in love with each other are commonly known as a bonded pair. Rabbits from the same litter will usually bond instantly with each other. And, if you do adopt a rabbit from a shelter, you will usually be asked to take the other member of the pair; not doing so could stress both rabbits terribly.

If you are rescuing an adult rabbit that’s not found its best friend yet, you will need to do a bit of work on the bonding front. And this may not be easy. That’s because rabbits, no matter how much they love their bestie once they’ve bonded, can have a difficult time getting to that point. You may actually need the assistance from a vet or local shelter as bonding may take several sessions of interactions. Once it’s good for your rabbits though, you will know it instantly; it’s just like watching a pair of humans fall in love in a rom-com. Although some rabbits are picky about their pairings, most will want to be part of a warren and will bond with another rabbit given enough time.

Don’t Forget Your Rabbit’s Health

There are a few things you’ll need to remember before attempting to bond a pair of rabbits. And, one of the most important aspects of this is the health of both rabbits. Whether both rabbits are already at your home, or you’re taking one on dates with potential partners, you’ll want to be certain that both rabbits are up to date on their vaccinations (not necessary in South Africa). If you have any questions about the vaccinations another rabbit has had, it is better to steer clear than it is to risk the health of your rabbit. Your rabbit requires a few vaccinations annually (which can usually all be done with one needle once a year). Unfortunately, there are still a few deadly diseases which are still prevalent in the rabbit world.

The other thing you’ll need to handle before attempting to bond a pair of rabbits (or as soon as your babies are old enough) is the neutering of both parties. It does not matter whether both rabbits are the same gender (they’re not picky like that), neutering is crucial for optimal rabbit health. Not only does it prevent unwanted pregnancies, it can also prevent certain types of cancers and reduce aggression dramatically. When rabbits fight, it can be a nasty business – and not something you will want to deal with. Finally, you never know when you may be introducing a new rabbit to your warren, so you always want to make sure you’ve staved off any potential pregnancies. As a note, male rabbits can remain potent for a few weeks after their op, just in case you didn’t know.

There are just a few final things you’ll need to worry about when you have a pair of rabbits rather than just one. For a start, you’ll need to up the amount of hay that is provided daily. Every rabbit in your warren needs a pile of hay as large as he is every day. Additionally, sometimes rabbits want to be left to sleep on their own, and they will need their own private hutch to do this. However, there should be enough room in at least one additional hutch to accommodate all of your furry friends in one space if they are in the mood for that.

If you have any questions about adopting a rabbit – or a bonded pair – make sure you ask them before bringing them home as pets. It’s okay if they are not the right pet for your family, but it’s better for everyone if you discover that first.