Getting Two Rabbits as Pets

Many rabbit owners are interested to know if they should get two rabbits or three rabbits as pets. Some of these owners are potential rabbit owners while others are thinking of getting additional companion for their existing rabbit.

Rabbits are social animals, and hence it may make sense to get more than one rabbit as pets. In the wild, rabbits usually live in a community for survival and companionship. Rabbits that live in a group will help to groom each other.

However, if you are thinking of getting one male rabbit and one female rabbit as what most owners will do, it is important to understand that rabbits procreate few times a year. You should therefore alter both the rabbits, not just the male or the female.

Ninety percent of female rabbits that were not altered would develop cancer of the ovary when they reach 5 years of age. Considering that some rabbit may live up to 13 years old, this is certainly too young an age for a female rabbit to conclude its life.

Male rabbits should be altered so to prevent their male hormone from causing destruction to the house and to help him to be in better control of himself when he is with the female rabbit. Male rabbits that have not been altered will frequently sprayed their urine around the house and on their owners' foot too!

Two male rabbits that have not been altered finds it hard to live each other. They will often fight and very likely will injure each other.

If you intend to keep two or three rabbits in one cage, ensure that their cages are big enough. The general rule is to have a cage that is at least 4 times the size of the rabbits stretched-out sizes. Rabbits like to snuggle together when they sleep and if you have your rabbits altered, it may be a good idea to buy a bigger cage and keep all of them together.

You may also want to consider getting an extra cage. Rabbits sometimes get injured or fall sick and may need to stay in a separate cage to recover. In the wild, it is not strange to find healthier rabbit fight the weaker or sick rabbit to death.

Rabbits that stay together can eat and drink from the same container. Rabbits seldom fight over food. You should however, observe all the rabbit's eating habit to ensure that the slower eater has enough to eat.

There are many articles on introducing new rabbits to your existing rabbit. The ways to introduce new rabbits to existing rabbit is similar to introducing rabbit to other pet dogs or cats.

In any case, you should not force the introduction if any of the animal is not taking it too well. Provide them with their own time and space and let the introduction process be a gradual one.

Getting three rabbits may be fun, but you will also have to accept that the three rabbits may not develop that close a bond with you than when you have only one pet rabbit.

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