What can break a rabbits bond?

Sometimes happily bonded rabbits appear to fall out and the bond breaks down.
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There is almost always a reason for this:
  • Maturation and the onset of spring, males fighting over territory and females fighting over nesting material.
  • Underlying illness/pain.
  • Change in the group e.g. loss of another animal.


Can a rabbit bond be broken?

A broken bond

Bonded rabbits usually get on well over long periods of time. It's not uncommon for rabbits to occasionally scuffle, even in bonded pairs, but if they are having proper fights and pulling fur out that's usually a sign that their bond has broken.

What not to do when bonding rabbits?

Once the rabbits have bonded, DO NOT separate them. If one rabbit needs to go to the vet, both need to go. If they're separated and one rabbit comes back with a different smell or change in health, they may reject each other and begin fighting.


How often do rabbit bonds break?

We can compare other bond breakdowns to the baseline of breakdowns in male–female pairs (scaled by the frequency of these bonds in the general pet rabbit population – 65% male–female pairs, 15% groups, and 10% male–male and female–female): groups break down 3.5 times more. female–female pairs break down 4.6 times more.

When should you give up bonding rabbits?

In general, the only time you should give up on bonding rabbits is when they have injured each other. You should also reevaluate the bond if one rabbit is a bully, making the other rabbit anxious and afraid to eat, use the litter box, or even move around too much.


How We Fixed Their Broken Bond



Can rabbits live together without being bonded?

Rabbits should always live in pairs, as they can become stressed or sick if kept alone. They are sociable animals that need the company of other rabbits. One male and one female is the best pairing. Make sure they're spayed and neutered before introducing them.

How do you tell if your bunnies are fully bonded?

As a general rule, rabbits are bonded once they can spend 48 hours together without any chasing or aggressive behaviors. You also want to see positive signs such as grooming, sharing food, and sleeping next to each other to confirm that your rabbits feel safe around each other.

Can you force bunnies to bond?

If you give them toys, treats, and hiding houses to play with, you can make these sessions fun. Your rabbit will look forward to the bonding sessions, enjoying their time with their bunny friend. This will then make the two rabbits much more likely to bond more quickly.


How do you trauma bond a rabbit?

Types of stress bonding
  1. You can place your rabbits in a laundry basket and put them on top of the washing machine, or carry them up and down the stairs for a few minutes as a form of stress bonding.
  2. For highly anxious rabbits, using a small space for bonding can help them feel more comfortable around your other rabbit.


Should I let my rabbits fight it out?

If your rabbits are mounting each other a lot, instigating fights, stop them, place them side by side. Pet them together and talk to them quietly. Do not let much chasing ensue. If they are persistently aggressive, separate them to prevent injuries.

Can I leave bonded rabbits alone?

Make sure to spend some time with the rabbits in one or more neutral space every day. When you're not actively working with them, they should be apart if they fight when together. If they do not fight, then they can be left alone if you're not working with them, but not when you're not home at all.


What happens when one rabbit in a bonded pair dies?

In the days and weeks following its partners death, your rabbit may be withdrawn and hide away from you. It may even show aggression towards you, even if it has never been aggressive before. Others may seek you out for companionship, following you around and lying down close to your chair.

Do bonded rabbits miss each other?

Rabbits will definitely remember, and mourn, the loss of a companion. Sad but true – some rabbits die of a broken heart after losing a bonded mate. If your pet's companion simply ups and vanishes, it will be worse for her. Your rabbit will fret and worry.

How do I know if my rabbit is traumatized?

A sudden loud sound or scary situation could end up terrifying a rabbit so much that their body begins to shut down.
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The symptoms you want to look out for are:
  1. Weak or limp rabbit. ...
  2. Pale gums. ...
  3. Cold ears. ...
  4. Weak pulse. ...
  5. Rapid breathing. ...
  6. Dull eyes. ...
  7. Hypothermia.


How do I get my rabbit to forgive me?

Offer your rabbit their favorite treat and leave it in a place your rabbit can find when they are ready to forgive you. You'll know that when they finally eat the treat, your rabbit no longer holds a grudge against you. Giving your rabbit a treat can cause them to immediately forgive you and stop holding a grudge.

How long does 24 7 rabbit bonding take?

There is no set time for how long a bond will take, some take hours some take days but as a minimum time scale we would suggest that you put aside two days at least where you can be with the rabbits 24/7 to err on the side of caution. Be prepared to sleep next to them and be on hand to ensure everything is going well.

Why is it so hard to bond rabbits?

The strong hormones in unaltered bunnies can cause aggressive and/or sexual behavior. After they are spayed/neutered you will want to wait a few weeks before starting the bonding process because it can take some time for the hormones to get out of their systems.


How long do bunnies hold grudges?

Depending on the severity of the offence, a rabbit can hold a grudge from hours to several days. Sometimes, a simple stroke on the forehead or an apologetic treat can remedy a miffed bunny, but if your rabbit is truly offended, they can sulk for quite some time!

Do rabbits only bond with one person?

A rabbit can form a bond with more than one person. The strength of this bond will depend on the relationship that each person builds with the rabbit.

What does a stressed rabbit look like?

Signs of stress may include: appearing nervous (freezing, hunched up with ears flat against the body) being excessively jumpy and watchful (bulging eyes) being aggressive to people or other rabbits, particularly if the behaviour is unusual.


Are bonded rabbits happier?

In general, rabbits will be happier in pairs than when they are single. A second rabbit can prevent depression, and even help to minimize boredom and troublemaking behaviors. However, enough social interaction from humans or other pets is also okay if getting a second rabbit is not possible.

What to do when two rabbits fight?

If fighting is serious, the bunnies should be separated when unsupervised. Once they seem to be getting along, they can be re-introduced into familiar territory. Often they start to fight again in their own space, so be ready with the water, and don't give up.

How do you introduce a new rabbit to another rabbit?

Put the rabbits in nearby enclosures, where they can sniff each other through the wire. If your existing rabbit is free range, put the new rabbit in a small separated area so they can get used to each other's scent. You can swap around their litter trays and rub a cloth over each transferring scents.