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Clinical
2 May 2016 • Vol 7 No 4 • The Veterinary Nurse
Think of a group of wild rabbits, nibbling on
grass, nervously looking around for preda-
tors, ready to run for a bolt hole at the slight-
est provocation. Those that have had the pleasure of
seeing wild rabbits in their natural habitat, may take
for granted that they are always in groups or pairs. It
seems so... natural. This being the case, why, when
it comes to pet rabbits, do an estimated 680 000 rab-
bits in the UK live alone (PDSA Animal Wellbeing
report, 2015)? This equates to over 57% of the pet
rabbit population. Is it ignorance on the part of the
owner? (the same report showed a staggering 93%
of owners concurrently considered themselves ‘well
informed’ about their pet rabbit’s companionship
needs). Is it a misinterpretation of a rabbit’s ter-
ritorial behaviour? Those who tried to bond their
rabbit with a companion incorrectly and perceived
the failed attempt to mean their rabbit liked to live
alone? Should the veterinary profession take more
responsibility for this failure? When was the last
time companionship needs were discussed with an
owner bringing in a lone rabbit for a health check
or vaccination? The following article is designed to
highlight why companionship is so important and
Stranger danger: the importance
and perils of companionship in
Abstract
A rabbit’s need for companionship is an important element of their welfare and
husbandry. Increasingly, this fact is being recognised in both the laboratory and
commercial settings and legislation and guidelines have been developed to en-
hance a rabbits social contact with members of their own species. Sadly, the so-
cial needs of pet rabbits are often not being met by owners. This may be through
lack of education on the importance of campanionship to their pets or through a
lack of knowledge on how to introduce members of this territorial species together.
The following article discusses the importance of social housing for rabbits and
ways in which introductions can be made to reduce the likelyhood of ghting.
Key words: rabbits, companionship, bonding, welfare, behaviour, group
housing
Dr Nadene Stapleton BVSc MRCVS, Exotics
Department, The Royal Veterinary College,
4 Royal College Street, Camden, London,
United Kingdom, NW1 0TU
what factors contribute to the success and failure of
rabbit bonding.
Why companionship is so
important
The importance of companion rabbits for comfort,
safety and to alleviate boredom cannot be underes-
timated. As prey species, an extra set of eyes on the
lookout for predators can literally mean the dier-
ence between life and death. In a study by Seamen
et al (2008) a rabbit’s desire to spend time with other
rabbits ranked as highly as its desire for food. Obser-
vations in one study showed that in a near natural
environment, 90% of a domesticated rabbits resting
period was spent in body contact with one or more
other rabbits (Stauacher, 1986).
A rabbit’s need for social contact is a fact that is well
recognised in commercial and laboratory settings.
This has led to recommendations for group housing
being made for laboratory rabbits in many countries
worldwide. An Australian panel into the housing of
rabbits for research, recommended that rabbits be
housed together in enriched environments (NSW
Department of Primary Industries, 2004). Similarly,
European guidelines recommend group housing for
rabbits wherever possible (Lindfors and Edström),
2010).
This need for social contact makes companion-
ship a necessary part of pet rabbit ownership as well
(RSPCA, 2014). Despite this fact, the recognition of
social housing as an integral part of pet rabbit keep-
ing is not the well-established habit that it should be.
There are additional benets to having companion
rabbits apart from the obvious comfort they provide
one another. Rabbits spend a large degree of their
time in mutual grooming behaviours — as anyone
who owns more than one rabbit can attest. While en-
gaged in foraging and grooming behaviours there is
less time spent engaging in destructive and abnormal
behaviours (Chu et al, 2004).
Many owners believe that if they pay a lot of atten-
tion to their rabbit and provide opportunity for envi-
ronmental enrichment, that a second companion rab-
bit is unnecessary. In some instances this may be the
case. However, unfortunately such intentions are not
The Veterinary Nurse • Vol 7 No 4 • May 2016 3
Clinical
always met in reality. For most people it is impossible
to spend the equivalent amount of time with a lone
rabbit to compensate for them not having a compan-
ion. Despite their devotion to their pet, the provision
of an excellent, spacious environment and toys and
environmental enrichment — they cannot hope to ll
the niche that a companion rabbit could. Social hous-
ing is a better form of environmental enrichment than
the provision of bedding, hides, toys, chewable items
and foraging opportunities because companions pro-
vide constant novelty and interaction.
One of the possible contributing factors to a lack of
necessary companionship for pet rabbits is people’s
lack of understanding on how to introduce two rab-
bits together with the best chance of success. It would
be lovely to think that their need for companionship
meant that rabbits could be placed together and live
harmoniously without incident. Unfortunately, this
is not always the case. Although they need a compan-
ion, rabbits are also territorial. A second rabbit sud-
denly placed in an enclosure with a lone rabbit could
be seen as a threat and may be treated as such.
Simply buying a second rabbit and placing it in
the hutch with the rst will potentially lead to ght-
ing and can be a source of chronic stress and anxiety
(Noller, 2013). The chances of ghting are particu-
larly high because the environment many rabbits live
in is already too small and competition for space be-
tween rabbits is exacerbated by this (PDSA Animal
Wellbeing report, 2015).
Considerations when bonding
rabbits
There are several elements to both the choice of com-
panions and the way in which bonding is undertaken
which are likely to improve the chances of success: the
gender and neuter status of the rabbits, the environ-
ment that introductions take place in, the way the intro-
ductions are conducted and the experience of the per-
son supervising the bonding are all important factors.
Gender and neuter status of the
rabbits
There is no doubt that gender of the rabbits being
bonded contributes to the success (or failure) of the
pairing. While there are a lot of anecdotal generali-
sations made about which gender pairing works best
the general consensus is that the most likely harmo-
nious bondings will occur between a neutered male
and female pair (Magnus, 2005). Although there will
be exceptions to the rule, most would agree that the
rabbit’s gender has to be factored into the decision-
making process. Litter mates of the same sex can be
bonded together but are less likely to succeed long
term. This may be due to the fact that rabbits of the
same sex are in direct competition with one another.
In the wild, rabbits live in colonies with separate
hierarchies between males and females (Myers and
Poole, 1959). Both the males and females will ght
within these gender groups for mating rights and
nesting sites. This pattern of behaviour is inuenced
by several factors including availability of space, food
and age (Lehmann, 1991). One study showed that in
captivity, inghting between male rabbits coincided
with an increase in testosterone levels at approxi-
mately 70 days of age (Berger et al, 1982).
Neutering
Sexual maturity occurs between 4 to 6 months of age
and is dependent on a rabbit’s weight. Smaller breeds
reach sexual maturity faster than larger breeds. Neu-
tering of both male and female rabbits dramatically
reduces the risk of interspecies aggression. Sex hor-
mone levels can take up to 4 weeks to dissipate after
neutering (Meredith and Lord, 2014) so in previously
unbonded rabbits it is important that bonding at-
tempts are delayed until they have ample time to re-
cover from surgery.
Rabbits can be neutered when older but the recom-
mended age of neutering both male and female rab-
bits is at approximately 4 to 5 months of age. Female
rabbits accumulate fat in the broad ligament as they
age, making the spey operation more challenging.
Additional benets to desexing rabbits are avoidance
of unwanted pregnancies and improved litter train-
ing. Speying female rabbits also prevents the develop-
ment of uterine cancer which is very common (Baba
et al, 1974).
How to introduce a companion
Communication amongst rabbits is very subtle, be-
ing prey species they do not rely on loud vocalisations
which would serve to draw the attention of predators.
Instead, their communication centres around body
postures and scent marking (Magnus, 2005). This
‘language’ must be observed closely during the bond-
ing process.
Rabbits use scent glands and urine and faeces to
mark their territory. Other rabbits entering this ter-
ritory are seen as a threat. Therefore, introductions
need to take place in an area that neither rabbit has
previously claimed as their own. This ‘neutral terri-
tory’ reduces the risk of ghting. The selected space
needs to be quite small (around 2 m2) so that they are
made to interact with one another. A large space may
cause the rabbits to claim their own separate territo-
Clinical
4 May 2016 • Vol 7 No 4 • The Veterinary Nurse
Experienced supervision
Careful monitoring for signs of aggression during in-
troductions of new rabbits is important. Due to their
subtle body language and the speed at which things
happen, inexperienced people may not be able to
read the body language well enough to know what is
appropriate and when they should intervene. For ex-
ample, mounting behaviour — which is used as a way
to assert dominance — should not be disrupted. This
is a natural part of the process and provided no biting
is occurring it should be allowed. Rabbits grooming
one another or lying next to one another are positive
signs that a bonding is going well. A small amount of
chasing one another is acceptable and necessary for
establishing hierarchy. See Table 1 for body language
of rabbits to monitor for.
Negative training methods such as spraying rab-
bits with water or making loud noises in an attempt to
discourage conict are not recommended. All eorts
should be made to avoid the rabbits getting into con-
ict by separating them before things escalate. Having
a sturdy pair of gardening gloves to hand to allow you
to rapidly separate the rabbits if ghting does occur
will avoid injury to the rabbits and those supervising.
Various online sources advocate the placing of
both rabbits in an empty bath tub for introductions
ries within that area that they defend.
The rabbits should be housed completely apart and
then placed in this ‘neutral territory’ for short excur-
sions together. These excursions are typically 10 min-
utes or more in duration and supervised constantly.
This is repeated at least once daily and the length of
time they spend together increased gradually. An envi-
ronment designed to avoid competition is important.
For example, food can be scattered around but should
not be provided in one place that a rabbit may feel the
need to guard. Multiple hides are also recommended
to prevent nervous rabbits feeling too exposed.
During the time when they are separated swap
bedding and litter over between the separate enclo-
sures to get them accustomed to one another’s scent;
also it may be advisable to house them close together
to allow limited contact through wire (Crowell-Dav-
is, 2007). The negative side to such a cautious ap-
proach is that the constant separation (designed to
reduce conict) makes it dicult for a hierarchy to
be established between the two rabbits which may
be a source of frustration (Meredith and Lord, 2014).
Also housing them next to one another without them
being able to form a hierarchy could lead to aggres-
sion when they are placed in direct contact with one
another.
Table 1. Behaviours that may be observed
Positive behaviour Acceptable behaviour Negative behaviour
Ignoring one another. This
normally happens initially and is a
good sign
Mild short skirmishes with missing
fur but no damage
Rapid, aggressive behaviour from
the outset
Self grooming indicates the rabbit
is relaxed enough to perform
normal behaviour
Intermittent mild chasing Inicting wounds (bites or
scratches) is to be avoided
Mutual grooming is an indication
that things are going very well (see
Figure 1)
Grunting and thumping is initially
acceptable but should dissipate
with time
Excessive chasing or constant
attention without respite
Lying down next to one another
is a sign that the bonding is
progressing well. (see Figure 2)
Lunging but not biting is
acceptable
Ears forward, tail up is indicative
of an imminent attack (in non lop
eared rabbits)
Humping is a dominance behaviour
and expected during bonding
Hiding is acceptable behaviour for
more nervous rabbits
Screaming or squealing is a signal
of extreme stress
Eating is a sign of increased
relaxation in one another’s presence
Rapid movements are
acceptable but rabbits should
be encouraged to slow down by
patting or gentle restraint. Rapid
movements may make more
nervous rabbits aggressive
Circling one another rapidly
is often indicative of them
manoeuvring to bite and should
be stopped
Crouching, immobile with ears
back is submissive behaviour
often observed when the
dominant rabbit is trying to hump
and is a good sign
The Veterinary Nurse • Vol 7 No 4 • May 2016 5
Clinical
because it is ‘neutral’ and the slippery surface makes
ghting more dicult, however, concern over poten-
tial injury if they slip means this is not recommend.
Expert advice
Another option which many do not realise is possible
is to rescue a rabbit from one of the many rescue cen-
tres available and enlist the help of one of the ‘bunny
bonders’ who regularly pair up rabbits for rehoming.
This method has many advantages not least of which
being that you are rescuing a rabbit. The experience
of such people means they can identify troublesome
behaviour before it escalates and the neutral territory
makes the process much more likely to succeed. The
journey home together is also a source of mild stress
for the rabbits which means they may naturally seek
reassurance from one another and cement the bond.
Other considerations
Making sure owners have the resources to accommo-
date a second rabbit prior to obtaining a friend is im-
portant. Consideration needs to be given to the avail-
able space as well as the added expense of the food
and veterinary bills.
Care should also be taken to reduce the likelihood of
disease transmission between rabbits if intending to
introduce a new rabbit. Taking steps to make sure both
rabbits are healthy prior to introduction and to prevent
diseases such as Encephalitazoon cuniculi and respira-
tory disease is important. Having both rabbits checked
by a veterinarian is recommended before bonding be-
gins. An unwell rabbit will be less likely to respond
well to another rabbit being introduced.
The housing of guinea pigs and rabbits together is
not advised. Such a pairing is unsuitable for several
reasons including interspecies bullying, their dier-
ent dietary requirements and the potential for disease
transmission between the species.
Once a pair (or group) of rabbits is bonded, avoid
situations where rabbits will be separated again even
for short periods of time as this may cause a disin-
tegration of the bond. This is why housing rabbits
together in hospital if one of them is sick may be
advisable, however, care needs to be taken that the
healthy rabbit does not become stressed and develop
gut stasis as a result of hospitalisation.
Conclusion
There are many advantages to housing rabbits to-
gether. The alleviation of boredom, reduced destruc-
tive behaviour, the potential to provide a loving home
to a rescue rabbit in need, the improvement of a lone
rabbit’s welfare. The success of bonding is dependent
on several factors such as the rabbits gender, neuter-
Figure 1. Two bonded rabbits housed together in hospital to reduce
stress.
Figure 2. Bonded rabbits spend the majority of their time at rest in con-
tact with one another.
Key Points
The importance of companionship for rabbits should not be underestimated and is an
integral part of their husbandry from an animal welfare point of view.
Social housing of rabbits reduces the risk of predation, provides comfort and is a novel
source of enrichment which has the potential to reduce unwanted behaviours.
At rest, rabbits spend a large proportion of their time in contact with other rabbits and
participate in mutual grooming behaviours.
The best chance of success lies with a male and female neutered pair, although there
are exceptions to this.
The territorial nature of rabbits means care must be taken when introducing two rab-
bits for bonding. A neutral territory, short contact sessions and careful observation of
rabbit body language all help to reduce the risk of injury to owner and rabbits and
improve the chance of success.
Maintaining this bond by housing rabbits together during hospital stays where pos-
sible is important.
Clinical
6 May 2016 • Vol 7 No 4 • The Veterinary Nurse
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References
ing status, availability of space, techniques used and
experience of those responsible for the bonding. The
importance of planning and seeking advice cannot be
underestimated. Thankfully there are many excellent
resources owners can turn to for advice including wel-
fare organisations, veterinary clinic sta, books and
online resources. Recommending companionship for
every rabbit that comes into the clinic, and ensuring
owners have the information they need to succeed in
the bonding process has the potential to improve the
lives of many of those 680 000 lonely rabbits. VN
Conict of interest: none.
Useful resources
https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-
pet/rabbits/companionship
http://rabbit.org/faq-should-i-get-a-second-
rabbit/
http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/pdfs/Bunny-
Buddiedwebpage.pdf
http://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/
pets/rabbits/company
le:///C:/Users/naden/Downloads/RSPCA%20
Rabbit%20housing%20advice%20(1).pdf
http://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Bonding_rab-
bits_together