Rabbits are sociable and affectionate creatures. They like to mingle with other bunnies and don’t mind sharing a house, food, water, and even a litter box with them.
Having said that, these furry friends are also territorial. They don’t like to share their territory with rabbits who don’t belong to their community. However, once a connection is established, they won’t have any issues in sharing and using the same space with another bunny.
If you plan on keeping two bunnies and having a single litter box for the two of them, it’s perfectly fine. However, make sure you allow them some time to develop a bond with each other before having them share a litter box.
In this article, we will look at how to bond two bunnies who are supposed to share the same space and other living essentials. We will also see why bonding is important and what might happen if you keep two stranger bunnies together unsupervised.
So, let’s get started.
Why Is Rabbit Bonding Important?
While rabbits love to socialize, they are also territorial. They like to mark their territory and establish dominance among other bunnies living nearby. And if another bunny challenges their dominance, they may even fight them. Males and females both can show dominance depending on their nature.
Domestic rabbits are not very prone to demonstrate this type of behavior but they will still need time to establish a connection with another bunny who is a stranger.
So, you will have to supervise your bunnies until they are bonded to make sure they don’t reject each other and end up fighting. Just like humans, rabbits also need time to develop a bond with another rabbit. If at first, your bunny ignores her partner, it’s actually a good sign.
More often than not, the male will start chasing the female bunny if he senses an attachment. It can be the other way around too. But whoever starts chasing first is going to be the dominant one in the relationship to follow.
Rabbits who are ready to bond will start showing behavior like mounting, nipping, and mirroring. Bunnies are often seen mirroring each other’s posture and activities when they are ready to get into a relationship.
If you notice such gestures, you can go ahead with your plan of bonding the two rabbits. It’s time to have them share the same living space and even the same litter box. If you see them using the box together, it’s a clear-cut sign that they have already developed a strong bond and will be inseparable from now on.
Keep reading on to find out how to bond two bunnies successfully and have them share a single litter box.
How to Bond Your Bunnies?
When you bring another bunny home to bond with your rabbit, don’t put them together in the same cage immediately. However, keep the two cages in close proximity so they can notice each other and feel a possible connection.
Once they are ready to mingle, arrange a date where they will have a chance to eat together. This facilitates the bonding process and helps the two creatures develop trust and understanding.
Make sure the dates are arranged in neutral territory. If you try and let them share the same territory on day one, the dominant rabbit may not like it and the bonding process will end right there and then.
If you want to bond two bunnies, they should be neutered and spayed first. This is an important step particularly if you don’t want them to multiply.
Moreover, it will be very difficult to litter train them if they are not fixed. Spaying female rabbits is also important for their long-term health as about 80% of them will get ovarian or uterine cancer by the time they reach the age of three.
It is also not possible to keep two male rabbits together unless they are neutered. Male rabbits tend to get very aggressive if they don’t have a female partner and are not neutered. Keep these points in mind if you plan on keeping two rabbits together.
Before your rabbits are bonded, it’s recommended to keep them in two different houses and provide two different litter boxes for them to use. This is because a rabbit considers the litter box her property and will jealously watch it to protect her private space.
Can Two Rabbits Share a Litter Box?
Absolutely. If you have a pair of bonded bunnies, you can have them share the same litter box. However, it’s recommended to get a bigger box so the two of them can have plenty of fresh hay and litter to enjoy.
It’s actually a good idea to have two bunnies share the same litter box once they are bonded. You will be able to take pleasure in their companionship and loving nature. And while it may take some time to bond them, once they are in a relationship they will be very hard to separate. All this can make things easier for you as their owner and caretaker.
Rabbits have been found to be very adaptable. If there is only one litter box in their territory, they will be happy to share it with one another without fighting or feeling jealous.
However, one concern for having the same litter box for two or more bunnies is the size of the box. Once rabbits are bonded, they might even want to use the box at the same time. This can become a problem if the box is too small.
It is recommended to buy a large-sized litter box for two adult bunnies. A giant box may be used for more than two bunnies but it will be difficult to manage and clean.
And finally, always remember to use rabbit-safe litters. Since rabbits like to munch on hay while they go about their business, they might ingest some unsafe or clumping litter and get sick.
Litters made up of aromatic wood shavings as well as pine and cedar are not recommended for rabbits. Stick to a paper-based, unscented, simple, and natural litter to make sure your bunnies continue to enjoy it without getting sick.
Do Rabbits Sleep in Their Litter Box?
Yes, sometimes rabbits do like to sleep in their litter box and it’s perfectly normal. If your bunny likes to sleep in her litter box, you can try and make it more comfortable by adding a thick layer of CareFresh fiber, which is made from reclaimed natural wood and paper fiber, and then a good bunch of fresh hay.
It’s not recommended to use separate bedding if your rabbit lives indoors and has access to soft flooring. For outdoor hutches, bedding is required only to have the bunnies stay warm during colder months. They don’t need any bedding, however, when they have the litter box. If you want to use bedding, you can use it inside the box.
Sleeping in a litter box is actually considered quite safe and healthy for bunnies. Traditional bedding that is composed of foam and other items is not very safe for these furry creatures. If you decide to use such bedding, be mindful that it may detriment your bunny’s litter training.
Also, traditional bedding will be more difficult to clean and manage than a simple litter box. A rabbit should be trained to use the litter box as a resting and eating place in addition to being a toilet.
Rabbits will use the litter box very sensibly. They will allocate one corner as the “bathroom” and the other as the “kitchen”. It is recommended to change the box every two days or so to keep the bad smells away and to ensure proper hygiene for your bunnies.
A bunny should not be allowed to sleep in a dirty litter box. Bunnies will grow to love their litter boxes once they know it’s their territory and would like to spend a lot of time in their box. So, make sure it’s always clean and filled with fresh hay for them to enjoy.
Final Words
Bunnies live happily and enjoy better health when bonded. They should be allowed to live in the same cage and even share a little box. Rabbits who live together are known to groom each other and care for each other when either of them is sick or bored.
However, not all attempts at bonding end up successfully. You need to give the bunnies some time to notice each other and develop an attachment. If they get into a fight at their first introduction, it’s probably not a good idea to keep them together or have them share the same litter box.
It is also important to have the females spayed and the males neutered before you try to bond and litter train them. Two companion bunnies will share a litter box affectionately once they are successfully bonded. But make sure to get a large-sized litter box for these two so there can be a good supply of fresh hay for both of them.