Dogs and bunnies are unlikely friends, but it’s not impossible for these two pets to live together. When the conditions are right, they can become amicable companions living under the same roof.
While it’s possible, it’s still important to remember that it’ll take a lot of effort and careful consideration to ensure both dogs and bunnies feel safe and stress-free when the other is around. We have some tips and tricks that can help these two types of pets work towards living together harmoniously.
What Are the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare?
The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare are the basic rights that animals should have when they’re cared for by humans. They’re recognized globally among animal welfare activists and organizations. The Five Freedoms are comprised of the following principles:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury, or disease
- Freedom to express normal behavior
- Freedom from fear and distress
Failure to uphold the Five Freedoms indicates bringing unnecessary suffering to animals. Therefore, before you bring home a new pet, it’s important to consider the Five Freedoms and ensure you’re able to provide them for your pet. These principles should be your guiding point when deciding to live with multiple pets.
If you don’t feel confident about being able to uphold the Five Freedoms, it’s an indicator that it’s not the right time to bring home a new bunny or dog. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t ever live with a dog and bunny. You can always try to make changes to your current living situation or lifestyle so that they can meet the standards of the Five Freedoms. Making adjustments just may change your circumstances and enable you to take excellent care of bunnies, dogs, and other pets.
The 6 Tips for Dogs and Bunnies Cohabiting
1. Consider Your Dog’s Breed and Temperament
Your dog’s breed can be an indicator of how well they’ll get along with bunnies. Certain dog breeds were originally bred to hunt, which often results in having a naturally strong prey drive. Hounds, terriers, and pointers are all examples of hunting dogs that have a stronger inclination to chase after small animals.
Of course, not all dogs have temperaments that fit in their breed’s standards. So, it’s also important to consider your dog’s individual personality. If they’re gentle and relaxed, they’re more likely to get along with bunnies than dogs with more energetic and loud personalities.
2. Train Your Dog Beforehand
It’s much easier and safer to have bunnies and dogs live together if the dog has been trained and socialized first. You can get your dog more comfortable and calmer around small animals through incremental socialization. Start by introducing them to other dogs and puppies before letting them encounter other types of animals. If they’re comfortable around dogs, you can slowly introduce them to cats and other smaller animals.
Teaching your dog the “leave it” command will also prove to be useful when introducing your dog to a bunny. This will ensure your dog will leave the bunny alone and return to you consistently.
3. Make Slow Introductions
It’s important to remember that bunnies are prey to many larger animals. So, it’s understandable for them to feel nervous when encountering a dog for the first time.
Keeping this in mind, it’s essential for bunnies to have positive experiences when introducing them to new animals. Progressing too quickly can scare your bunny and cause a significant setback for your bunny’s relationship with your dog.
It’s best to start by having a gate that separates your dog from the room where you keep your bunny’s enclosure. Bunnies have a strong sense of smell and hearing, so they’ll be able to sense your dog, even from far away.
Once your bunny gets used to your dog, you can close the distance by keeping your dog on a leash and letting them walk a little closer to your bunny’s enclosure. Keep closing the gap in small increments and at a pace that’s comfortable for your bunny.
4. Create a Safe and Private Space for Your Bunny
Bunnies must live in a stress-free environment that makes them feel safe. Even if your bunny gets along with your dog, they still need a private space where they know they can rest and relax undisturbed.
Therefore, make sure you have enough space to set up your bunny’s enclosure. Choose a quiet part of the house that doesn’t get too much foot traffic that will startle your bunny. It’s preferable if this area has a door that you can shut in case your house gets too loud or rowdy.
5. Recognize Fearful Behaviors in Rabbits
When introducing bunnies to dogs, it’s important to understand and accurately read their body language. This will save your bunny from feeling too much fear and stress and prevent negative interactions between the two pets.
Bunnies tend to crouch and tense up when they’re feeling nervous. Their ears may lie flat against their head, and they may tuck their chin closer to their body. Another sign that a bunny is stressed is if their nose stops twitching and remains unusually still.
Angry bunnies can make noises like grunting and growling. They’ll also bare their teeth and take a boxing position where they’re sitting on their hindlegs and raising their front paws.
6. Use Treats To Build Positive Associations
Treats are often an effective training tool for building positive associations. You can encourage your bunny to feel more comfortable around your dog by giving them some of their favorite foods while your dog is nearby. Your bunny can learn to associate the tasty treats with the presence of your dog, making your dog a positive influence.
Your dog will also appreciate being rewarded with treats. You can give them treats whenever they act calm and gentle with your bunny. This will help them understand what kinds of behaviors are appropriate when they’re around your bunny.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking about having a pet dog and bunny, it’s best to first refer to the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare. These principles will help you determine how likely it’ll be for you to provide a safe and happy environment where both your dog and bunny can thrive.
As you prepare to introduce your dog and bunny to each other, remember to take things slow and go at a pace that’s comfortable for both animals. Slow and steady wins the race, and speeding up introductions too quickly can end up startling the animals and create significant setbacks in their relationship.
Featured Image Credit: saharat wannalad, Shutterstock
