Can Dogs and Bunnies Be Best Friends? One Owner Says Yes—With the Right Care
Although friendship is possible, the veterinarian warns about the risks and highlights essential precautions for the bunny’s safety.
By Gabriele Tancredo Stella in Animal World
Having a bunny and a dog as pets is possible, but it requires proper care and supervision. It is important to consider the individual personalities of both the dog and the bunny, and to follow specific measures to ensure the safety and well-being of both.
That’s exactly what businesswoman Gisele Spessatto did when she adopted Frederico and Pipoca years ago. At the time, the rabbits became part of the family at the insistence of her son Lorenzo, who had been passionate about rabbits since childhood.
“The adaptation was very easy because Doki—our Shih Tzu—is very calm. First, we placed the cages near the dog so they could all smell and observe his movements. Then, we set up a fence so the rabbits could have more freedom, while the dog stayed nearby, watching. Gradually, we let the rabbits out for a few minutes to observe their reactions. After about 60 days, they had all adapted very well,” she said.
Currently, Gisele’s pet family includes Doki, Pipoca, Crystal—another rabbit—and Cyndi, a kitten. (Frederico passed away some time ago.) They all get along incredibly well!
“Their relationship is great. Our dog is very gentle, and the rabbits, being very curious, are always nearby—sniffing, nuzzling, and enjoying being close,” Gisele explained.
As she recalls, she was initially very unsure about how Doki would react to the bunnies around the house.
“I realized, over time, that everyone was very calm and accepted each other quickly. But I always advise that if the owner has a more energetic dog, the adaptation process needs to be slower and more cautious,” she explained.
For each animal Gisele adopted, she reports having had them neutered first, followed by the adaptation process—always respecting each species’ limits. Cyndi is the most curious and playful, so the rabbits spend less time with her to avoid getting stressed.
“Rabbits are different from dogs and cats—they're more sensitive and prefer to approach in their own time. We need to understand this in order to care for them properly,” she concluded.
Watch a moment captured by Gisele featuring Doki and the rabbits:
Safety First
Like Gisele, São Paulo-based veterinarian Lygia Karla Francelino emphasizes the importance of supervising interactions between dogs and rabbits.
“It’s risky to keep dogs and rabbits in the same environment because the dog may see the rabbit as prey. Any interaction should be supervised by an adult,” she notes.
According to her, loud noises like fireworks can frighten dogs and trigger aggressive behavior.
“Even if they are raised together and the dog is gentle, it’s still a predator and the rabbit is prey. Unfortunately, accidents can happen,” she warned.
In addition to prevention, the veterinarian offers some tips for dog and rabbit owners.
“If you already have rabbits and dogs, it’s important to provide enrichment activities suited to each species, along with a safe, stress-free environment for both. This way, each animal can express its natural behavior and live as happily as possible,” she concluded.
