I'm not sure what to do..

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 4sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 8 months ago by Mikey.

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- 10/30/2017 at 12:22 PM
  Alrunasrose
  Participant
  7 posts
  I’ve been thinking to myself about this for a little while now and I’m just not sure what I should do–
  
  For some background information I have owned 2 other bunnies in the past, a lionhead named Wookie and a holland lop named Leia. They were bonded, but unfortunately Wookie had passed away and a month later Leia passed as well in the animal hospital from what the doctors assumed was GI statis from her not wanting to eat after Wookie passed. During that time I read about how getting Leia a new potential friend would help. So, I got Albus, another holland lop. However, they never got to formally meet before she passed away. Now Albus needed a friend as I know rabbits are very social. So now I have Aberforth, a lionhead.
  
  Then one day I saw the cutest little american fuzzy lop that I named Bun Snow. Albus and Aberforth are bonded and it happened almost instantly. They were just all about each other the moment they got to meet face to face. However, of course, they aren’t too fond of their new brother. I expected that as they already have each other. So they’re kept separate which has been fine for the most part.
  
  Here’s the dilemma I am facing now. I recently got promoted to a full time management position. So I work long hours and most of the time I have to close at work then come right back in the morning and open. The time I do have outside of work I am running errands, maintaining my own social life, or sleeping. The buns haven’t had much time at all to exercise anymore. It breaks my heart that this has happened because I love them all so dearly. They are very important to me and I would love to give them the world, but I don’t know that I can. They have been exercising every other day for at least an hour, but I fear that is not enough time. Is there something I am missing that I’m just not seeing or something else that I could be doing? I really would love to keep them, but I also don’t want to make them suffer because I don’t want to surrender them to someone else.
  
  I would really appreciate any advice, tips, tricks or anything that you guys can give me. Thanks
- 10/30/2017 at 12:28 PM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5842 posts
  Is your dwelling one where you can make a large portion free-roam while you’re gone?
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 10/30/2017 at 12:30 PM
  12345ABCDE
  Participant
  5584 posts
  Well, as you said yourself – an hour every other day is not good enough. Not even close. I see you have two options – either re home them or prioritise them ahead of ‘maintaining your own social life’ and see if you can manage to give them more free time.
  
  What is their set up like when you can’t let them out? Do they have a decent sized hutch and/or pen?
  
  It’s good that you are reaching out for ideas but honestly if you cannot provide them with more exercise time, the kindest thing would be to give them to somebody who can.
- 10/30/2017 at 12:53 PM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17044 posts
  Congratulations on your promotion!
  
  It’d be great if you could arrange play-enclosures for the buns, although it’d have to be two areas since Bun Snow (I’m wildly guessing he’s named after Jon Snow?) isn’t bonded to Albus and Aberforth. And you’d need something sturdy to absolutely keep the bonded bros from Bun Snow so you don’t get fighting and injuries (well, rather obviously).
  
  If they had x-pens where they could play and lounge and they could be in the same room so all three know there are other buns nearby, the need for your presence would be less and they’d have space to move around. When you are home you could have cuddle-time. Cuddling is very de-stressing both for humans and buns.
- 10/30/2017 at 5:18 PM
  Mikey
  Participant
  3186 posts
  Agreed. If you can make them a safe space where they can run while you are at work, only spending an hour with them per day is ok. Of course, if you cannot do that and cannot find a way to allow them atleast 30 hours/week in exercise, they should be rehomed to someone who has more time to care for them properly.
  
  Congrats on your promotion!
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