If you’ve decided to bring a bun into a home where there is already a dog, you may be wondering whether rabbits and dogs get along. In theory, rabbits are prey animals and dogs are hunters. Although it may present a slight challenge, this does not necessarily preclude the two from ever getting along. An older bun might have trouble controlling a new puppy’s high level of energy. Similar to how a new bunny can react in extreme fear upon encountering a dog when moving into a new home. Your dog and rabbit might fit in just fine if you go about things the right way. It is always crucial to comprehend why these two creatures may take some time to adjust in order to make things easier. Always take care when bringing a new pet into your home.
Rabbits and dogs would never associate in the wild. Wolves, foxes, and other wild dogs view wild rabbits as food. For a very long time, domestic dogs have been bred to be companion animals. This indicates that many of the characteristics they would possess in the wild do not exist in domestic pets today. Similarly, domestic rabbits differ significantly from their wild counterparts, which helps them get along with other pets like cats and dogs more readily.
Continue reading to find out if rabbits and dogs can live together to make things easier for you and your pets and what you should know to introduce your two pets properly.
Simply put, there is no restriction on the coexistence of dogs and rabbits. Some can, some can’t.
Some dogs exhibit zero prey drive and are extremely calm around rabbits. The two animals can get along well and even cuddle up for a nap. However, some dogs DO have the instinct to hunt, which could result in harm to a rabbit. We have to look at a lot of factors.
Read up if you struggle to read both dog and rabbit body language. Ask your neighborhood rabbit rescue for assistance by asking them to send someone over to assist with the introductions (for a donation, of course!). Call your dog trainer, and ask for help during introductions. Prepare. Take your time and put in the work before you jump in because both the environment and your mental state are important.
Can rabbits and dogs live together? Sometimes, sure. A dog that isn’t gentle around rabbits isn’t necessarily a bad dog, but you should respect both of your animals and learn from them. Don’t force, don’t ask too much, of either of them. Allow them both the freedom to express who they are and to experience safety and comfort It is not a flaw in either the dog or the rabbit’s character if that means they have to live apart. If they CAN be gentle friends, then that is AWESOME!.
Are Dogs and Rabbits a Good Match?
If a dog has “retriever” or “terrier” in his breed name or is a puppy, a good rule to remember is that the response is no. Retrievers do just that -retrieve the prey. Terriers are bred to hunt and chase, especially little bunnies. Even the energetic golden retriever may play and chase the bunny until he is exhausted even though she has no intention of hurting him. Puppies are much too rambunctious for the typical house rabbit, and many have tragically killed one by pursuing it nonstop. Although there are always exceptions and instances where rabbits and certain hunting/sporting dog breeds get along, it is generally not advised.
Don’t leave your bunny alone with any puppies, young dogs, terriers, or retrievers in your home. It would be best to keep them in separate rooms. A bunny can become frightened by barking dogs and the “My, you look tasty” look. Avoid even upsetting your rabbit by keeping them far apart.
If your dog chases birds or squirrels, don’t tempt fate. The rabbit should live somewhere else because that would be more secure. However, if you have a mature dog, especially one who has had positive experiences and exposure to small animals, they frequently accept and get along well with your rabbit.
What Are Some Reasons Dogs Get Scared?
Lots of things scare dogs. When their owners are gone too long is one of the biggest problems. This is separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behavior in dogs.
Another big reason is loud sounds. Your dog may become agitated by fireworks, gunshots, slamming car doors, motorcycles, and other noises.
By the way, have you considered a Thundershirt for your dog? They are a good way to help relieve some of the anxiety your dog would otherwise feel.
In general, dogs are not scared of rabbits. Still, sometimes situations happen where rabbits scare dogs. As an illustration, suppose you’re walking your dog in the park when a rabbit suddenly appears from the bushes. Your dog might become briefly frightened by this, especially if they’re not used to this kind of thing.
Also, every dog is a little different. You might adopt one of the rare dogs that, for whatever reason, turns out to be afraid of rabbits.
Rabbits, on the other hand, are completely scared of dogs. Rabbits are a prey species, whereas dogs are a predator species. The natural tendency of a dog is to chase, while that of a rabbit is to flee. Unless handled carefully, they just don’t get along. It’s even possible for your rabbit to die of fright!.
How to introduce rabbits and dogs
You need to be extremely careful because there’s a chance that your dog will try to chase after or attack your rabbit once they’ve been introduced. The canine should be taught to sit and stay and leashed at all times. Always supervise any interaction between your pets.
Make sure there is a separation between your dog and rabbit first. This can be your rabbit’s cage or a fence. Bring your dog inside with the rabbit while keeping him or her on a leash; do not allow the dog to approach the cage or other obstruction.
Watch and wait to see how your animals react. If your dog lunges at the rabbit and the rabbit runs off and hides, you should immediately lead your dog back out of the room to lessen the stress the two animals are under.
Try it once more over the following few days to see if the animals begin to react to each other more calmly. If they do, it’s time to let the dog approach the enclosure housing the rabbit. As your dog approaches, make sure it’s on a leash and that your rabbit isn’t trembling out of fear.
You can try an in-person interaction if—and only if—your rabbit and dog are beginning to feel at ease and non-aggressive with one another through the enclosure’s bars. Make sure the dog can sit and stay when ordered, and keep him on a leash at all times. To prevent feeling cornered, give your rabbit a place to run and hide.
Watch for signs of aggression in both animals and let your rabbit approach the dog first. End the interaction and try it again later if either animal exhibits even the slightest sign of stress.
Allow the animals to interact with each other inquisitively if they are acting properly. Always keep an eye on them, and be prepared to break up any interactions if necessary. Give them several of these quick encounters over the coming weeks so they can become accustomed to one another.
If everything goes well, you may eventually permit leash-free interaction between your dog and rabbit. However, it is best to never allow these two animals to interact unattended. Even if they are successful in becoming friends, you should still exercise extreme caution because it would be very simple for a dog to unintentionally hurt a rabbit.
FAQ
Do rabbits and dogs get along?
Rabbits and dogs can get along, but it all depends on the dog’s prey drive. A dog needs to have a low prey drive and not be interested in pursuing and killing wildlife in order to live successfully in a household with other species. Even when playing, a dog with a low prey drive is kind to other species of animals.
Will dogs hurt rabbits?
Some can, some can’t. Some dogs exhibit zero prey drive and are extremely calm around rabbits. The two animals can get along well and even cuddle up for a nap. However, some dogs DO have the instinct to hunt, which could result in harm to a rabbit.
How do you know if my bunny is scared of my dog?
You can determine when your rabbit is feeling anxious by observing their ears and posture. Additionally, rabbits will exhibit more overt signs of fear, such as thumping their back feet or fleeing and hiding. Due to their evolution as prey animals, rabbits are frequently easily startled.
Why is my bunny scared of my dog?
Like all animals, rabbits have memories and can draw lessons from the past. This may imply that previous traumatic experiences with particular things, even if they are currently harmless, can also elicit a fear response. An illustration would be a rabbit that was once attacked by a dog and is now terrified of all dogs.