Rabbits like to live together, but only if they have a chance to get to know each other well. Strangers who enter the territory are attacked and forced to flee. If you haven't bought the two rabbits together and your rabbit has lived alone so far, follow these steps to introduce them gradually.
Steps
Step 1. Remember that the younger the rabbits are, the faster they will make friends
So, take this into consideration when introducing animals. Also, as a rule, two females normally get along, but it can be more difficult to make a male and a female friends, while two males are more likely to fight - this usually does not apply to spayed, male subjects. and females. You will need to be patient, as it may take a couple of weeks or even a month. It depends on the rabbits and their willingness to accept themselves.
Step 2. Leave the newcomer alone in his cage for a while
First of all, the newcomer needs to spend some quiet time alone in his cage, to get used to his new home. You also need to keep him in solitary confinement for a period of about 6 weeks to make sure the animal is healthy.
Step 3. Never put a stranger rabbit in another's cage without having them prepared and made known, or there could be dire consequences
For the first 2 to 3 weeks, position the cages so that the rabbits can see each other, but not touch each other.
Step 4. Slowly bring the cages closer until the animals can smell each other
When they both feel safe, they will learn to tolerate the other rabbit's presence.
Step 5. The next step is to let the rabbits come out of the cage separately
Let one of the rabbits out, but leave the other in the cage. Don't let them out at the same time until neither of them shows more signs of aggression. Signs of aggression include biting the cage bars (when the other rabbit approaches; if your rabbit always does, it might just be a habit), jumping on the cage, and trying to bite each other or any other behavior for which you look like a rabbit is trying to defend its cage or bite the other. This can sometimes go on for weeks or months before it works. If the rabbits are friendly, you can try to let them both out of the cages for a short period of time at this point.
Step 6. As a next step, you can rub garlic or onion all over the body of both animals, particularly the anal and groin region, so that they smell similar
Put them in neutral territory, where they are free to run and where there is no smell of them, which would lead them to struggle.
Step 7. If they start to struggle, separate them immediately
Otherwise, end the session on positive notes while both animals are quiet and not fighting. Don't worry if they struggle at first - with patience, commitment, and a little luck, you'll soon see them huddling together happily.
