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Introducing One to Another

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  • 1. Keep them separate for 2 or 3 days. Allow your new bunny time to adjust to the new sounds, sights and smells of his new home before adding the stress of meeting a new bunny. Set their cages next to one another to give them close, but safe, encounters with each other during this adjustment time.

  • 2. Build trust with your new rabbit. After your new rabbit has had at least 1 day to adjust to her new surroundings without being bothered or handled, begin handling her so that she becomes accustomed to your touch, smell and voice. This makes the upcoming encounter with your other rabbit easier if the new bunny turns out to be afraid or shy of your other rabbit.

  • 3. Find a neutral meeting place. Introducing your bunnies in a neutral area that neither rabbit has been in before is the safest way to introduce them. This eliminates any territorial fights and increases the likelihood of a successful introduction. A bathroom is an ideal area because of its size and lack of hiding places. Bunny-proof this room before bringing your rabbits there.

  • 4. Place the rabbits together quietly, without their cages. Put the new rabbit in the neutral meeting place. While holding your other rabbit, allow the two to see each other and touch noses. This prevents them from startling each other and starting a fight. After this, calmly and quietly place your other rabbit down with the new rabbit and allow them to interact. Do not worry if one mounts the other. Keep cages and toys out of the neutral meeting place to avoid territorial fights.

  • 5. Keep a towel handy to separate fights. If one of your rabbits grunts, lunges or otherwise displays signs of an imminent attack, place a towel over the aggressive rabbit and place him back in his cage. Introduce them another day. Rabbits remember fights, so it is imperative that you be familiar with the signs of an attack before it happens.