Housing two rabbits together

[Coco&Romeo]

Hii. I have two rabbits, male and female, both neutered and spayed. They live outdoors. They used to live in separate cages side by side at night and during the day they’re free in the garden. I haven’t done any bonding session between them two but they seem to be comfortable around each other already. They groom each other, they play together and even flop next to each other. Right now I’m thinking of building them a new house where both of them will live in together. Do you think it will be okay? Please help a bunmum in need huhu.

[HipHopBunny]

Hi @Coco&Romeo 🙂

It sounds as though they do have a stable bond at the moment, but I would watch them, for there have been some people on here who have had buns that are bonded fight. I think it would be fine to build a house for them, for they already seem alright with each other in the garden, which is their territory, so I don’t think they would get any more territorial over a house, than the garden. 🙂

Best of luck!

[Bam]

Will they be shut into the house at night? This would in my opinion be the major potential issue. Most buns will maintain a good relationship if they have enough space -it is when space is very limited that aggression and territoriality becomes an issue. Dominance is basically about the submissive party allowing the dominant party to be dominant, if that makes sense. If there is enough space, confrontation can and will be avoided,  wild animals belonging to the same group of individuals will not try to hurt each other sevetely  because that jeopardises the survival of the group as a whole. In a restricted area, confrontation will be unavoidable.

 

 

[Coco&Romeo]

Yeah at night they will be in their new house. We made it two levels, and its 4ft wide and 5ft long. It’s big enough for both of them. It’s definitely bigger than their cages they live in now.

[DanaNM]

I agree with what’s been said so far, I would supervise them 24/7 for at least a few days after moving them in together. It’s possible they have sorted out their hierarchy in the garden, but moving into a new enclosed space might cause some problems. For example, I’ve been to “hoppy hour” events where unbonded rabbits will lay together, groom each other, and generally be peaceful together, but if they were to be moved into an enclosed space it is very likely they would fight. Not to say they couldn’t be bonded relatively easily, but just saying they would need lots of supervision to make sure they didn’t fight.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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