Bonding Support Services

Why Is Bonding So Important?

We believe all rabbits have a right to live in bonded pairs or small groups.

If that's true, shouldn't bonding rabbits be straight forward?

Find out why bonding is important, and why following a recognised bonding approach is vital for success.

Book a Bonding Consultation

Rabbits can be dominant and territorial, and follow certain rituals when first meeting a new buddy.

Knowing what to expect, and how to support them is essential for overall success with bonding

Our Bonding Consultations take you through the process end-to-end and give you the confidence to start bonding.

Bonding Bootcamp

Are you struggling with a bond?  Perhaps you don't have the neutral space or time needed?

With Bonding Bootcamp your rabbits can board with us for a short period and well carry out the bonding activity for you.

Sometimes a home-away-from-home is all your rabbits need to jump over those hurdles for a lifelong bond together.

Bonding Equipment

During bonding activities you will need the ability to keep your rabbits housed separately when unsupervised, just until the bond is successful.

You will also need a small, neutral, controlled space to facilitate introduction sessions too.

We have equipment for sale to support your bonding activity, with our Buy Back Promise, you can return any temporary equipment within 60 days for a partial refund.

Why Is Bonding So Important?

Research in rabbit welfare consistently highlights the importance of social companionship for our pet rabbits.

Solitary rabbits may experience various adverse effects, from loneliness and boredom to behavioural issues and decreased lifespan.

By forming bonds with fellow rabbits, they engage in natural behaviours such as grooming, snuggling, and playful interactions, which are essential for their mental and emotional health.

Research has consistently shown that bonded rabbits are more resilient to stress compared to their solitary counterparts. The presence of a familiar companion offers them a sense of security and comfort, which can help alleviate anxiety and fear in unfamiliar situations. Moreover, companionship creates a stimulating environment, preventing boredom and fostering overall happiness. By carefully introducing and bonding rabbits, owners can create harmonious relationships that significantly enhance the lives of their pets.

If you are considering becoming a rabbit owner, we urge you to consider adopting rabbits in existing pairs or small groups. Or, if you own a single rabbit, consider the benefit of adopting a buddy or two! This not only aligns with rabbits' natural social behaviour but also ensures a happier and healthier life for these beloved animals.

Whether you're thinking of adding a new rabbit to your family or seeking companionship for your current pet, prioritising bonding and companionship is a decision that benefits both rabbits and their human caretakers.

Why Won't They Just Accept Each Other Then?

While the idea of simply putting rabbits together and expecting instant companionship may seem appealing, the reality is far more complex. Rabbits, like humans, have unique personalities and preferences, and successful bonding requires a thoughtful and gradual process. Rushing the introduction can lead to stress, aggression, and potentially severe injuries. Hence, the importance of an appropriate bonding process cannot be overstated.

Each rabbit has its own temperament, communication style, and territorial instincts. When two rabbits are introduced without proper supervision, they may perceive each other as threats, triggering defensive or aggressive behaviours. This initial conflict can hinder the bonding process and may result in long-term hostility between the rabbits. Consequently, a structured bonding process facilitates positive interactions and builds trust between the rabbits.

A successful bonding process typically involves gradual introductions in a neutral territory, allowing the rabbits to get acquainted without feeling threatened. Supervision is essential during these initial meetings to intervene if any signs of aggression or stress arise.

Over time, as the rabbits become more familiar with each other, they can progress to spending supervised time together in a larger space before eventually cohabiting. Patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement are critical elements of a successful bonding process, ensuring the rabbits develop a strong and harmonious relationship over time.

This investment of time and effort in the bonding process ultimately leads to a fulfilling and enriching relationship, filled with joy and companionship, for both rabbits and their human companions.

Bonding Consultations

At Beloved Rabbits, we want to support rabbit owners to safely introduce their rabbits to become happy bonded pairs and small groups by facilitating careful and structured bonding processes.

We can offer Bonding Support Consultation services face-to-face in our offices in Kirkintilloch (G66 1QH).

Our Bonding Support Consultations aim to give you the confidence to carry out bonding activities with your rabbits in your own home.

  • 1.

    Bonding Basics

    We'll give you a brief run-down of the bonding process and the range of behaviours you will typically expect to see during bonding introductions.  You will also get an opportunity to tell us about your rabbits' temperament, behaviour and social history, which will help us to determine any additional exercises we may want to incorporate into the bonding process.

  • 2.

    Neutral Territory Introduction

    We introduce the rabbits in neutral territory. Neutral territory helps prevent territorial disputes and allows the rabbits to interact without feeling threatened. During these initial introductions, our volunteer will discuss the behaviours demonstrated and give an indication on how comfortable the rabbits are with each other.

  • 3.

    A Guide To Supervised Interactions

    Following a successful initial introduction, we will talk you through what to expect when you conduct further sessions back home.  We will include what to expect to see as the bond progresses well, as well as how to intervene should the rabbits display any aggressive behaviours.  Importantly we give you tips and tricks to turn any aggressive behaviour back in to a positive experience and get back on track with your bonding journey.

  • 4.

    Preparing for Living Together

    Our final step in the consultation ensures you are given the knowledge and confidence to know when your bond has been a success and what to do to support the rabbits moving into a permanent shared living space together.

Once you are back home and conducting the bonding on your own, and even after the rabbits are successfully bonded, our team remains available to provide support and guidance to rabbit owners. We offer advice on managing any challenges that may arise and encourage regular check-ins to ensure the well-being of the bonded pair or group.

By following this structured bonding process, we aim to facilitate strong and lasting relationships between bonded rabbits, providing them with companionship, enrichment, and a brighter future in their forever homes.

Book a Bonding Consultation Today

Our Bonding Consultation may be the first step to ensuring a happy future for your rabbits.

Bonding Bootcamp

Our popular Bonding Bootcamp service offers an effective alternative for those struggling to bond their rabbits at home.  Whether its a difficult bond, you're struggling for the time needed, or you don't have the neutral space to make it work, we can help.

Enlisting the help of a rabbit rescue for bonding rabbits offers several advantages over attempting to bond them independently at home. Here are some compelling reasons why a rabbit owner may choose to seek professional assistance:

  • 1.

    Expertise and Experience

    As an experienced rabbit rescue, we have volunteers who specialise in rabbit behaviour and welfare. They possess the knowledge and skills necessary to assess rabbit personalities, identify compatibility, and facilitate successful bonding. Their expertise can help navigate potential challenges and ensure a smooth bonding process.

  • 2.

    Neutral Territory

    Our dedicated bonding areas provide neutral spaces where introductions can take place. These environments are free from territorial markings or scents that the rabbits have at home, reducing the likelihood of aggression and conflict between the rabbits. Neutral territory is essential for creating a safe and stress-free environment conducive to positive interactions.

  • 3.

    Safety Measures

    Bonding rabbits can sometimes lead to aggressive behaviour, which may result in injuries if not managed properly. Beloved Rabbits prioritise the safety and well-being of the rabbits, implementing strict supervision protocols and intervention strategies to prevent conflicts and ensure the physical safety of the animals involved.

  • 4.

    Resources and Support

    Beloved Rabbits have access to various resources and tools to facilitate the bonding process, including spacious bonding areas, enrichment activities, and specialised equipment.

    Additionally, we offer ongoing support and guidance to rabbit owners, helping them navigate any challenges that may arise during or after the bonding process.

Book a Bonding Bootcamp Today

Our Bonding Bootcamp is very popular - get your booking in today!  It may be the first step to ensuring a happy future for your rabbits.

Adopter's Bootcamp

Special calendar for Adopters - Password provided by our Adoption Team

Our Bootcamp Facilities

  • Our dedicated bonding facilities at The Hoppy Hub in Kirkintilloch are designed to focus the rabbits' attention on each other without distracting them from their territory and belongings.
  • We prioritise the comfort of your rabbits during their stay. Our insulated and heated equipment ensures that both indoor and outdoor rabbits are kept at a comfortable temperature, regardless of the weather conditions outside.
  • Rabbits are housed in side-by-side environments, so your rabbits can see and smell each other and even safely interact between barriers in between managed bonding sessions.
  • Living space allows the rabbits to get a break from the bonding buddies and hide when necessary, with 24/7 access to the connected exercise space
  • Rabbits are swapped between environments every 24 hours, allowing necessary scent swapping and the breakdown of territorial associations.
  • Our trained team conduct daily bonding exercises that support the introduction of the rabbits over days, minimising the risk and stress associated with rapid techniques.
  • Modular equipment allows us to remove dividers and barriers, gradually increasing the overall space the rabbits share during the bond before returning home.

When the rabbits return home, they will be in a settled bond that will allow them to comfortably and safely live together in the same environment.

However, it is still an early-stage bond, as it can take several weeks for the rabbits to gel together into full companionship, and so our team will offer you lots of advice on how to support your rabbits' bond further as they settle in back home.

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Book a Bonding Bootcamp Today

Our Bonding Bootcamp is very popular - get your booking in today!  It may be the first step to ensuring a happy future for your rabbits.

Adopter's Bootcamp

Special calendar for Adopters - Password provided by our Adoption Team

What If It Just Doesn’t Work?

Unfortunately, we can't always get our rabbits to bond no matter how hard we try, and we do need to accept that some personalities are just simply not compatible.

We will help you do whatever we can to make the bond a success.

But if it doesn’t work, we understand that keeping rabbits lonely is not what anyone wants.

We will discuss numerous options with you if the bond is unsuccessful to find the right solution that works for you, and most importantly is right for the welfare of your rabbit.

Bonding Equipment

  • A Small Neutral Space

    This should be a space between 0.6m x 0.6m and up to 1m x 1m.   Many people use a small puppy pen, dog cage or even a bath tub or shower tray.

  • Ability to Temporarily House Rabbit Separately

    You may wish to consider how to keep the rabbits living separately until bonding is completed.  It is useful to allow the rabbits to see and smell each other, but it is very important that they cannot access the shared space of each other.  So consider using puppy pens to separate living space temporarily.

  • Restrict Space Temporarily

    Once the rabbits are ready to move in together, it is important to restrict their space for the first 24 to 72 hours.  Again this may mean you want to use puppy pens to create a barrier or restricted space temporarily.

  • Towels and Blankets

    It is worth having towels an blankets on hand to help dry and clean the rabbits after early bonding sessions, especially if you have used water spray to intervene with any aggressive behaviours.

  • Pet Remedy

    We strongly recommend using Pet Remedy, a natural destressing product, to support the introduction of rabbits.  It is also a useful product to neutralise smells when the rabbits are sharing space for the first time.

  • Water Spray Bottle

    We recommend the use of a water spray bottle to intervene with any aggressive behaviours.  It is the quickest technique to calm everything down without risking injuries for the rabbits or yourself.