Rabbits should always have a friend to keep them company as they are sociable animals. Rabbits should not be housed with guinea pigs for a number of reasons, mainly diet, communication style and different behaviour styles which result in damage to the guoinea pig. Unfortunately our main pet store in the UK has not grasped this. Male and female neutered rabbits make the best bonded pairs. Rabbit should always have another rabbit friend. Male and female rabbits make the best bonded pairs. Please note, neutering is important not only to prevent accidental litters, but to dampen hormonal behaviour. In females, neutering reduces the risk of uterine cancer which approx 80% of unneutered does will get before the age of 4 years. Its a sad and not well publicised statistic.
Male-male pairings do tend to fight as they grow up, even when neutered. Female-female pairings can be a bit squabbly too and females can be hard to bond with each other, though generally more successful than male-male pairings if a same sex pairing is being considered. But the best pairing is almost definitely male/female.
Rabbits should be bonded on completely neutral territory and should be watched from afar. Your scent confuses things. Mounting, chasing and fur pulling is entirely normal behaviour. Fighting is rarer then people think. Neutering is essential for happier bunnies and better bonding. Once a bond is established, it shouldn't be broken by the owner by separating them. They should go everywhere together, even for a simple trip to the vet. A bunny will always be much happier and comforted when his/her friend is present. There are thousands and thousands of bunnies in rescue centres across the UK. Please always consider the purchase of a rabbit before buying on impulse. They needs lots of exercise, should not be confined to hutches, can live for up to 10 hours and need our time and stimulation to keep them happy. Please visit www.rabbitrehome.org.uk for advice on rabbit care and listings of rabbits in the UK looking for forever homes.
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Novice
