Other Animals and Rabbits

Dogs
Many people are surprised to learn that dogs and rabbits can often live quite harmoniously with each other. However, there are considerations to take into account when an owner wishes to introduce their animals. Generally, most dogs that are accepting and tolerant of cats are often comfortable around rabbits. Also, dogs that have not been allowed many opportunities to chase animals outside and are trained to remain calm during distractions are the least likely to antagonize a house rabbit. Good training with basic obedience is imperative! If the dog is getting too rambunctious, owners need the ability to call their dog off the bunny or have them sit-stay or down-stay.

Younger and smaller rabbits tend to be higher energy than adult and larger rabbits. Dogs have relatively poor eyesight, but they have an excellent perception of quick movement; energetic bunnies will entice the dog to chase them because their quick haphazard movements are similiar to that of prey. Bunnies that are calmer and lazier are much less likely to be chased. It is recommended that the bunny condo or habitat is kept in a common area where the dog can see, smell, and hear the bunnies first for a few days to a few weeks before they are let out together. If you decide to keep the dog on a leash, it is imperative to keep slack in the leash. If you pull on the dog's leash and collar, it will stress and frustrate the dog and lead to aggression.

How to tell if your dog is ready to meet the bunny: If the dog is completely ignoring the bunnies when they are in their habitat, then you can bring the dog in when the bunnies are already settled outside of their pen. Do not introduce the dog when the bunnies have just been let out of their pen and are doing excited binkies and zooming around. Ask the dog to sit-stay or down-stay and give him treats to staying. Once the dog stops staring at the rabbit, you can release the dog and let him sniff the rabbits while on leash. Do not pull on the leash unless you are concerned for anyone's safety. Ideally, you want the animals to ignore each other, so treat and praise them for doing so.

The following links have been provided for more information about rabbits and dogs living together.
 * House Rabbit Society, Amy Shapiro, When Fido Met Thumper (Dogs and Rabbits)
 * House Rabbit Network, Jessica Pearlman, Can Dogs & Rabbits Live Together Happily Ever After
 * Wisconsin House Rabbit Society, Julie M. Kastelic, Bunnies and Dogs - Together?
 * HubPages, Bunny - Puppy Relations, Can Rabbits and Dogs be friends?
 * Andrew Massaro, Introducing Rabbits to Dogs
 * wikiHow, How to Introduce a Dog and a Rabbit
 * Dog Meets Bunny