Rabbit bonding is a divisive subject, with many opinions out there on what is ‘right’.
It’s important, off the bat, to note that whilst people can bond and read behaviour as their professions, there is no licensed or regulated way to do this. All there are are different opinions borne of experience and different ethical perspectives.
With that in mind, the most important thing to us when bonding at The Bunnyjackpot Foundation are the rabbits.
What bonding method do we use?
We bond using the 24/7 bonding method and no other methods. We also practice rabbit-led bonding.
The reason for only using 24/7 is quite simple: it’s the most streamlined, ethical method. And what is rabbit-led bonding? It’s the premise of letting rabbits choose who they want to be with, without pushing our wants on them when it comes to matches.
The Bunnyjackpot Foundation does not recognise any stress bonding methods as fair or ethical for rabbits. Please avoid at all costs: spraying your rabbits with water, going on a car drive with them, forced cuddle sessions or stroking sessions or using tiny spaces.
It should also be noted that we do not use any pre-bonding techniques. The reasons for this:
- When scent swapping and placing rabbits living side by side you are creating two separate territories. Rabbits are territorial creatures, of this there is no doubt, and creating two rivalling territories side by side has the potential to build anxiety and animosity.
- By taking the sessions approach, we confuse our rabbits: repeatedly splitting and putting rabbits back together, even ‘on a good note’, sends mixed signals and does not enable them to build a lasting bond or to work through any relationship bumps they might have.
- Our role as guardians is to mitigate any stress/anxiety on our prey animals as much as we can. We do this by making bonding as short an ordeal as possible. Frequently, by adopting the sessions method or doing pre-bonding activities, we can extend the bonding period and that in itself extends the amount of stress rabbits are put under. It makes sense to try to keep our rabbits as comfortable and happy as possible.
What is the 24/7 rabbit bonding method?
The 24/7 method, in a nutshell, means introducing rabbits in a neutral, hay covered space where neither rabbit has ever been before – small but not tiny – and keeping them together permanently; you only split your rabbits if you’re splitting for good. With this method, you introduce and watch their behaviour: you take up the role of the facilitator, letting them do the work and letting them tell you whether they want to be with someone or not.
Over the course of several days, if behaviour is good, space should be expanded and items like litter trays and chewable enrichment should slowly be introduced. Once they’re stable and able to share a space with litter trays and are living comfortably (which shouldn’t be over weeks plural but a week to ten days max in this neutral space) then you can think about moving them to their forever home!
Preparing for your rabbits forever space
Before rabbits are moved to their forever space, deep cleaning is critical! Using a mix of white vinegar and water can help neutralise smells – it’s important that none of the rabbits recognise the space as their own: they are about to navigate new territory as a ‘we’ rather than a single rabbit.
When introduced to new space, this should – like when bonding – be done in a measured way. Start off with a space close to what they’d built up to in their acute neutral bonding period, with just litter trays and water bowl and space to chill out. Then over the course of the next week or two, with good behaviour, add items like enrichment as well as space.
View a list of recommended bonding essentials on Amazon
The above guidance is general and it should be noted that every single rabbit bond is a unique relationship and if you’re ever worried about behaviours or the rabbit(s) please contact a vet or an ethical bonder.
Get support bonding your rabbits
If you would ever like support with bonding or would like to seek an ethical bonder, please get in touch with us. Please remember we do offer regular bonding webinars for people to attend, and are always happy to be booked as speakers for events or staff days.
