Your rabbit is like your child when they need to be potty trained. Teaching your pet rabbit how to use the litter box is quite a game-changer. As an owner, you will not have to deal with the hassle of constantly cleaning up after them. However, one question arises; is it safe for territorial animals like rabbits to share the litter boxes?
If you think two rabbits sharing a litter box might end in a smackdown, you have nothing to worry about! While it’s true that rabbits are territorial, they also love to socialize. Sharing the same private space will not cause a fight between them. Rabbits are seasoned to partner and bond with each other. With appropriate bonding measures, rabbits can have a ball using the same area. Once they bond, rabbits feel comfortable enough to share the same space.
Read further to learn more about rabbit pairing, how to introduce them, and litter box tips!
Contents
How to Pair
The first thing to keep in mind is that rabbits must be with other rabbits. As we discussed earlier, rabbits are outgoing animals and need some company to feel their best.
Rabbits tend to feel lonely when they are not around each other. This may consequently harm your bunny’s mental state. So, it is important to give your white furry friend a buddy to prevent them from getting lonely!
Like us, rabbits need to get along well to create a peaceful living space. Here are some of our pairing tips:
Best Pair: Male-Female
Male and female partners are a natural pair. The chances of a dispute are minimal with this kind of pair.
Good Pair: Female-Female
This pair may have relatively more problems, but this is also highly dependent on the dominating nature of each. Make sure to neuter and spay them for precautionary measures.
Average Pair: Male-Male
You need to keep an eye out if you have this pairing. The male-male pairing has the most amount of tension between them. It is best to get your rabbits neutered to avoid potentials injuries during a fight.
Pairing by Age
Baby rabbit-Baby rabbit pair
Baby rabbits gel well together. It is even better if they have a sibling living with them. As time passes, it is natural for rabbits to grow and start smelling differently. Hence, it is essential to periodically neuter and spray them to prevent them from fighting one another.
The ideal age for males to be neutered and sprayed is 10-12 weeks and for females is about 4-6 months.
Baby rabbit-Adult rabbit pair
This kind of pair can be dicey. There is a good chance of the adult rabbit acting up and intimidating the baby rabbit. It is not the best idea to pair the two. If you go through with this pairing, ensure that you neuter and spray the baby rabbit. This will significantly decrease the probability of any possible aggression.
Adult rabbit-Adult rabbit pair
This is the simplest pairing of the lot. It is the safest option, especially if they are both neutered and sprayed as well. All you need to do is pay attention to the rabbits regularly in the beginning to identify any incompatibility.
How to Introduce Rabbits
Rabbit owners must know how crucial it is to introduce their bunnies correctly. Expecting two unacquainted rabbits to live together peacefully is a long shot, and it will only be a complete wreck.
Here are some simple, quick steps that you can follow to make sure that your rabbits are properly introduced:
#1 First, keep your bunnies in different cages. It is a good idea if they don’t see or interact with each other at first to avoid potential contention.
#2 Spraying and neutering your rabbits is an essential step. If you haven’t already, make sure that you get on it right away. Neutered rabbits are much calmer and not as aggressive as the unneutered ones. They are also a lot less territorial, reducing the risk of them fighting with each other.
#3 Place the cages next to each other and let them meet. Let them get familiar with each other’s scent in a safe, secure environment. Give them about 2-3 weeks like this to get used to their new company and surroundings.
#4 This last step is an important one. It is time to let your rabbits meet for the first time. Make sure their first meeting is in relatively more natural surroundings to avoid any potential contention.
Place some cardboard boxes on the floor and add hay. Make sure to get rid of any hazardous objects or materials. To break up any possible fights, keep a pair of thick-paired gloves around to use. The first time you let your bunnies meet, keep it about ten minutes long for two days. You can then start to extend their playtime as time passes.
Bonding
Bonding is the next agenda after selecting the correct pair! Two rabbits must bond to reduce being territorial and guarded with one another. Especially with litter boxes being small, enclosed spaces, it is vital that your rabbits are comfortable sharing the same one.
Some bonding exercises include playing together, lying next to one another, grooming, etc. Once you observe that your rabbits are doing these, it is an excellent time to let them share a little box.
Litter Boxes: A Mini Guide
After the pairing and bonding, the next step is finally the LITTER BOX!
Choosing the litter box
A great idea while choosing a litter box for your two bonded rabbits is to use a huge pan. There will be plenty of space for both bunnies to use it comfortably.
What to put in the litter box?
After picking the right litter box, it is time to know what to put in it! One of the litter box essentials is a pee pad on the floor to allow maximal absorption. Paper pellets are best with wood stove pellets that do not have chemicals.
Next, you can add some hay to let your bunnies be cozy in the box. It is crucial to create a comfortable environment for your rabbit, considering the amount of time they will use it.
How to clean a litter box up?
It is very, very important to know how to clean up after your rabbits. Rabbits are very clean, tidy animals. If you forget to clean their litter boxes, they will start littering in other places, ultimately giving you more work.
Conclusion
Finally, letting your rabbits use the same litter box is not a bad idea at all! After enough exercises, practice, research, and enough persistence, sharing the same litter box will hardly be a problem.