Should I Let My Rabbits Hump Each Other? Is It Normal? (Answered!)


Rabbits are the best pets you can have in your household, as they are calm and smart, especially with good training. Nevertheless, they have certain behaviors, such as humping each other, that may raise eyebrows more so when you are a beginner in raising rabbits. So, should I let my rabbits hump each other?

Yes, you should let your rabbits hump each other, as it is normal behavior for these pets. Humping each other is usually a sign of dominance, where the dominant rabbit wants to show bossiness and show that it is at the top of the hierarchy. Also, other rabbits are being humped, which is very submissive.

Nevertheless, humping each other should be well monitored, as sometimes the rabbits being humped try to resist, leading to fights. In this case, separating your rabbits before further injuries are registered on their bodies is important, creating pathways for pathogens that will later cause infections.

Nonetheless, if your rabbits are approaching the breeding phase, they are likely to hump each other frequently, a sign of sexual maturity. Therefore, let them hump each other for female rabbits to get ready for the reproduction phase. Ensure your rabbits live together without any fights to reduce stress and anxiety.

Is It Normal for 2 Male Rabbits to Hump Each Other?

Yes, it is normal for two male rabbits to hump each other. It is a way of communicating with each other and shows hierarchy, where the dominant person humps the submissive one.

Habitually, you will notice the other male resisting being humped on, leading to territorial fights. Consider separating the two males in this scenario to avoid further injuries that may create pathways for pathogens leading to infections.

Why Do Rabbits Hump So Fast?

Rabbits hump so fast to show dominance. Rabbits are very territorial, and humping helps to redefine their hierarchy. This can happen when a new rabbit is introduced to the hutch. Afterward, your rabbits will start bonding, especially when one agrees to be submissive. You can also train them to live together with minimal fighting.

Why Is My Female Rabbit Mounting a Male Rabbit?

Your female rabbit is mounting a male rabbit for the following five reasons:

1. Communication

Female rabbits mount on the male rabbits to communicate their hierarchy. This means they want to dominate the hutch by being bossy. Mounting on submissive males will not cause any fights. Instead, they are going to keep on mounting each other.

2. Sexual Maturity

Once a female rabbit matures sexually, it will mount on the male rabbit when experiencing heat. These animals know how to behave with each other, and sometimes it is a sign to signal the male counterpart that it is on heat. Once you notice this, prepare a pen for your rabbit when it gets pregnant to prevent disturbances from other bunnies.

3. Kill Boredom

Also, boredom is one of the reasons female rabbits mount on their males. Primarily, female rabbits want to play to keep their minds stimulated and hence will keep mounting on the male to enjoy the game. Always provide toys in your rabbit’s hutch to stimulate their minds, thus killing boredom.

4. Stress

Anxiety in rabbits can lead to stress, making them so uncomfortable. Stress can be caused by separation, illness, a lack of food, and poor shelter. Female rabbits mount on their males to release their stress, helping them calm their minds.

5. Wants to Reproduce

Reproduction in rabbits is very unique since they give birth to many rabbits. When they want to reproduce, they mount on the male rabbits to gain strength. Prepare a hutch for the pregnant female and the baby rabbits.

How Do I Stop My Rabbits from Mounting Each Other?

Here are five things you can do to stop your rabbits from mounting each other:

1. Put Them in Separate Pens

If you notice frequent mounting in rabbits that leads to aggression, consider separating them by caging them in different pens. This is one of the best ideas that will lead to calm behavior in rabbits. However, ensure the pens are closer so the rabbits can continue bonding, creating a warm environment when they return together.

2. Neutering Your Rabbits

Neutering male rabbits is where you remove their reproductive organs to stop them from mating and to reduce their sex hormones. Neutering deactivates sexual urges in rabbits, minimizing frequent mounting.

Similarly, neutering helps to remove poor character in rabbits since the genes cannot be passed on to the young ones.

3. Gently Talking to Them

If this behavior becomes consistent, gently talk to your rabbits and let them associate it with something bad to help them stop it. Avoid yelling at them, as this will only increase the chances of aggressiveness.

4. Rewarding Them with Treats

Once you separate them, give them treats. This will make them stay calm to get more treats. Nevertheless, only offer healthy treats to keep them in good health. This will make them associate treatment with good behavior.

5. Training Them

Training your pets is one of the habits that you need to adopt. It keeps their behavior in check, thus minimizing bad habits like mounting on each other and aggression. Therefore, training your pets for at least one to two hours daily is vital, as this also helps them bond.

When to Stop Rabbits Mounting

It is important to stop mounting rabbits when they start fighting, especially when no rabbits want to be submissive. Once they start fighting, separate them by putting them in different pens. This will minimize aggression and territorial behavior among your rabbits.

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