Rabbits are social animals. They always want their companions for a healthy life span. The best pair of rabbits are of the same age and opposite gender. But you may wonder if we can pair a baby rabbit with an adult one. So, can you introduce a baby rabbit to an older one? What are the things to consider? How can we introduce a baby rabbit to an older rabbit? Let’s find out all your answers in this article.
Baby rabbit and older rabbit can be introduced together as long as they are fixed and follows the proper introduction. However, some baby rabbits can change their behavior and become territorial once they reach maturity. So, neutering and spaying are essential to avoid terrorism or deadly fights.
This article will briefly discuss introducing a baby rabbit to an adult, How to know if your rabbits like or dislikes each other, and many more. So, let’s get into it.
Contents
Can I introduce my baby rabbit to my adult rabbit?
You can introduce or pair a baby rabbit with an adult rabbit only after takings some effort, following bonding stages, and having a proper introduction.
However, a rabbit may coexist peacefully with an older rabbit at first, but as time goes on and hormones take over, the younger rabbit may decide to bond with a rabbit its age.
In addition, in the beginning, they could get along well before fighting suddenly or gradually.
So, fixing your baby rabbit and adult rabbit before their introduction is essential.
Age and size are not usually relevant, but remember that a much more giant rabbit may hurt a small or baby rabbit if they fight or argue initially.
While some rabbit encounters result in “love at first sight,” bonding in other cases may take much longer—often months with patience.
Sometimes, a younger rabbit’s companion might not be liked by the older rabbit.
But, if the older rabbit is tolerant, the initial introduction could be successful up until the hormones of the baby rabbit start to develop.
So, it is essential to spay or neuter both rabbits before introducing them face to face to avoid terrorism or deadly fights.
Also, giving your rabbit time to heal after surgery is essential if it has recently undergone healing.
Also read: How To Choose A Second Rabbit?
How to introduce a baby rabbit to an adult rabbit?
Once you have decided to introduce your baby rabbit to an adult rabbit, you need to be patient and take some safety precautions, as bonding rabbits of different ages takes effort and time.
So, here are some essential things to consider before introducing your baby rabbit to an adult rabbit:
Neutering or spaying
Spaying or neutering your baby and adult rabbits is crucial before introducing them to each other.
It would be risky to bond a baby with an adult rabbit still in good condition.
Spaying and neutering help to decrease the aggressiveness or harassment brought on by hormones, and if you pair a male and a female, this will prevent them from reproducing.
Do not introduce your baby rabbit or adult right after surgery.
In addition, allow time for healing if you have a rabbit recently undergoing surgery.
Male and female rabbits as young as four to six months old can be neutered and spayed.
However, many veterinarians advise neutering male pets between six and eight months to promote healthy bone development.
Female rabbits mature sexually between the ages of four and six months.
When a baby rabbit is still unspayed or unneutered and reaches adolescence, it may experience significant behavioral changes that make life challenging for the older rabbit.
Also read: Should I Neuter Or Spay My Rabbit?
Different cages
Place the two rabbits in different cages and put them close to one another.
As a result, the rabbits can gradually get used to being around one another.
You shouldn’t merely put a young rabbit into the cage of an older one and hope to bond, as this could cause a deadly fight.
Make sure the rabbits can’t get to one another through the bars.
Each should first be placed in a cage alongside one another.
They can then get used to the other rabbit’s presence and learn to smell, see, and recognize one another.
Rabbits converse with one another by smelling one other.
Exchange toys, litter trays, tunnels, and bedding between your rabbits’ hutches before you bring them together so they may become used to each other’s smell.
Keep them nearby in the cages until they become accustomed to one another for at least a few days.
Ensure each area of their cage has a place for the rabbits to hide if they need to.
Also read: Rabbit Hutch Placement.
Move the cages closer.
Move your baby rabbit cage closer to your adult rabbit cage, depending on their behavior.
The runs are intended to be next to one another eventually. This stage should not be rushed, especially if either rabbit appears stressed.
If your rabbit started hiding, grunting, lunging forwards, running rearward and forwards, looking hyper, or biting the cage wires, then your rabbit is stressed.
However, lying, eating comfortably, or feeling relaxed near each other is a positive behavior that indicates both of your rabbits are comfortable around each other.
If the rabbits seem at ease with one another, give them small amounts of tasty food so they can eat close to the bars.
When both rabbits’ behavior suggests they’re happy with each other, you can move on to the next stage.
It usually takes a few days or weeks (sometimes longer), depending on how much progress the rabbits have made and how much time you have.
Neutral Territory
The first time your bunnies meet in person, it should be in “neutral territory,” a place neither of them has been previously.
As a result, they’ll be more inclined to want to socialize and less prone to be possessive of their own space.
Provide a large space for your baby and adult rabbit; if the area is escape-proof, it can be a room in your home or a stall in a barn.
Place some delicious treats and food for the rabbits, then simultaneously let each one out of its cage or carrier.
The area should be big enough to give the rabbits room to avoid one another while still being small enough to prevent complete visibility.
In addition, put down blankets and towels if you have slippery flooring to stop the rabbits from harming themselves.
Give the rabbits plenty of places to hide, such as cardboard boxes, tubes, and tunnels, so they always have a place to run to in times of stress.
To make it more difficult for one rabbit to protect the entrance and prevent the other from exiting, ensure these hiding places are open on both ends.
Observe both of your rabbits. It is usual for there to be some chasing, especially by an adult rabbit after the baby rabbit. Just watch out for the baby’s safety.
Allow them to relax and chat for a bit. Fighting is not acceptable; ignoring one another is.
Also, you must be there to step in if necessary because one rabbit might bother another too much, or occasionally a fight might break out.
If everything goes as planned, continue the process for a few days before putting your baby rabbit and adult one in the same cage.
Also read: Can Rabbits Have Two Level Cages?
Same cage
When your baby rabbit and adult one are getting along well in a neutral environment, you should combine them in a cage.
In addition, your rabbits are prepared to live together once they start exhibiting characteristics of best friends, such as sniffing, nuzzling, and grooming one another.
It is essential to provide a large cage or enclosure for your baby and adult rabbits to live together.
Place them together in the shared house, as it could be a room that has been bunny-proofed or a run and enclosure outside.
Every tool you use, including litter trays, should be either new to both rabbits or thoroughly cleaned beforehand.
Give the rabbits plenty of places to hide so they can hide from one another if required.
Provide new food or water bowls, toys, hideouts, and bedding for your rabbits.
However, keep an eye out for your rabbi’s behavior for indications that they’re not fighting, chasing, or grunting.
Remove the baby rabbit if the adult rabbit begins to assault it. This pairing might fail to be successful.
If they seem to get along, watch them closely for the next few days in case anything goes wrong.
They ought to be alright once linked behavior, such as grooming each other, emerges.
Also read: Do Rabbits Need Hideout?
How do you know if rabbits don’t like each other?
Rabbits, especially adult rabbits, can be territorial if they see young rabbits in their territory.
In the beginning, they could get along well before fighting breaks out suddenly or gradually.
The hormones of the developing baby can change either rabbit’s behavior, making one or both of them the aggressor.
Chasing, mounting behavior, a little circling, and occasionally nipping or tugging at fur are expected and anticipated behaviors.
However, be prepared to step in if one rabbit appears anxious or as though they are about to become combative with one another.
If your rabbits are continuously circling fast, it indicates they will fight.
So, here are some signs that your rabbit doesn’t like each other and will fight with one another:
- Excessive fur pulling
- Chasing
- Back legs boxing
- Mounting
- Ears flattened
- Lunging forward
- Grunting
At that moment, it is essential to step in and safely interrupt their session.
You need to gently and quickly separate the rabbits while wearing gloves.
It might be feasible to divert the rabbit’s focus to anything nearby (often by providing more tempting food as long as this wasn’t the cause of a fight).
You can continue the lesson if time permits and the rabbits are relaxed.
Alternatively, you may stop, take a few steps back, and try again later.
Also read: Are Rabbits Aggressive?
How to know your adult rabbit bonded with the baby rabbit?
It would be best to observe both rabbits getting to know one another better over time and with each session.
Grooming, relaxing, sleeping, or eating with each other are some positive behaviors that indicate your adult rabbit is bonded with the baby rabbit.
Rabbits generally bond after spending 48 hours together without biting, chasing, or showing aggressive behaviors.
Conclusion:
- Introducing a baby rabbit to older is acceptable only after fixing them and following the proper introduction.
- Pairing an old one with a baby rabbit requires more patience, time, and effort, as they can become territorial after hormonal changes.
- Spaying or neutering both rabbits before introducing them face to face is essential to avoid terrorism or deadly fights.
- Do not introduce your baby rabbit or adult right after surgery.
- Allow time for healing if you have a rabbit recently undergoing surgery.