3rd Bunny?

[Firsttimer]

I know I’ve asked this question before, but now I’ve just been asked to rehome a workmates bunny and I’m going through the will I won’t I argument in my head.  I think the main thing that put me off a third bunny last time was the prospect of the three of them not bonding together. But as I know this person I am in a position to ask for a trial period.  So how do I talk myself out of it this time haha? 

 

http://www.lagomorphlife.blogspot.com

[mrmac]

I am also going through something like this too. I have two bonded buns right now and I want to get more buns but I do not want to break up the two I have now. Sorry I cant offer more…

[3crazybuns]

 I’m not sure this will be of any help to you, but about a week ago I was asked by a friend from church if I would take one of her baby bunnies off her hands (she got her girls 2 buns, told they were both girls…and well… they weren’t.) I wasn’t going to, but she asked me as I was holding one of them at her house…  anyway, my plan was to have the 2 and eventually bond her and Oreo together once both where fixed, and she was age approiate. Well this weekend I went the a horrific deal at a local pet store, and a very RUDE sales associate and found myself bringing home a baby holland lop. So now I will have 3, but my problem is, do I bond the 2 babies and leave Oreo to be a loner? Do I attempt to bond the 3 of them? or do i just have 3 bunnies and bond none? I love having my buns! I’ve decided that no matter the outcome I will love them all, and care for them all. Who knows what the future holds!

[Beka27]

firsttimer: My main concern would be if the 3rd bunny is already spay/neutered. If not, there is no way I would consider taking them in until that was done by your coworker. An unaltered bunny in the house can wreak havoc on an existing pair. You didn’t mention whether the bun was altered or not…

mrmac: Would it be possible to take the pair bunny dating to at least see how they may all interact? I have no experience bonding three together, and frankly, it scares me b/c I have such a good thing going now with my pair… I’d hate to do anything to endanger the existing bond. Not to mention my pair is perfectly littertrained and I LIKE IT THAT WAY :o)

I don’t think I would have the time, and I know I would not have the extra space/money for more cages, separate runtime, additional vet care, etc… so as much as I’d *love* a houseful of bunnies, I recognize my limits. It is not in the best interest of myself, my family, or the two amazing buns we are already lucky to have.

Also, a benefit of being on BB, I can enjoy the pics and stories of everyone’s buns, so it helps to fill my need for more. ;o)

[3crazybuns]

 Really I think it depends on your situation, and how things are for you, we have a house FULL of animals 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 rabbits (soon to be 3) a turtle, 3 hermit crabs, and a fish tank. Now, the rabbits are solely my responsibility, my husband helps with the cats and dogs, and turtle, fish, and hermit crabs are my daughters.–Thank being said, I find myself taking care of them myself a lot. BUT I agreed to this when we brought them in the house as well- I stay at home during the day, I work part-time some nights, and weekends, We have a very strict schedule, and routine when it comes to our animals, so things work out for us. I LOVE animals of all types, and I enjoying caring for them, For me its not work, its a passion.

Now then…I do know my limit… and I’m at that limit now.. So really…I would do what Beka said.. Make sure he/she is neutered, and then go from there. Ask yourself “Can I REALLY take care of another bun?” Do I have the time/money/space for another bun?”  Only you can answer those questions. GOOD LUCK!!! We are here to support no matter WHAT the outcome is! 

[skibunny8503]

I’m really no help here but am going through the same thing.  I have my 2 bonded pair and I have a cute foster bun.  She’s not fixed yet but will be in June (too young right now).  After she’s fixed I will try to bond all three and see how it goes.  If they don’tn get along I might just let her go to someone else whenever she gets adopted….that’s what I keep telling myself at least!  And yup, an unaltered rabbit can be a bit of a pain…..to the other two!  Gracie is going to the bathroom everywhere!  She starting to let up now but it has been such a pain and I felt like I was afraid to let them run around in fear of having to watch her 24/7 to make sure she doesn’t pee on furniture.  But definately think everything over before keeping a third.  And if things don’t work out you can just let it get adopted.  Good luck!

[Firsttimer]

Thanks everyone. I’d logged onto here pretty much thinking I was going to take this rabbit on as I have space for two rabbit areas and I would have the opportunity to do a trial period and give her back if things don’t work out within a set period of time. However, now that I’ve read your response I am now off to find out if she is spayed, I suspect she won’t be. She is four years old and I’m wondering if it’s a bit late to have her spayed, especially if afterwards we discover that she won’t bond with my two. I’ll find out today!

[Firsttimer]

She’s not spayed.

[Beka27]

That worries me. I’m sure you are aware of the cancer risk with unspayed females. She needs to be spayed. At 4 years old, she’s not too old to spay, but some preliminary bloodwork would have to be done prior just in case. Is the woman willing to do this? Or are you able to spay and then try to bond after she has healed up? The chance of them bonding is virtually non-existent unless she is spayed, so whether you do it or the woman does it, it’s necessary.

[Firsttimer]

It’s as if he has read my mind.  He has just offered to have her spayed and has also realised he got her age wrong she is 2 or 3.  My worry is that by getting her spayed in his mind that might be commitment that I will take her and then they might not bond afterall.  He is keen for me to take her as he wants her to have a ‘good home with someone who knows what they are doing’. 

[Beka27]

If he’s willing to spay the bunny, I think that’s great and it shows commitment on HIS part to her health and well-being. Why is he trying to rehome her?

[Firsttimer]

Bramble was paired with another girl rabbit called Rosie who unfortunately died at Christmas. Now that she has perked up again the choice for the family was to get a new rabbit or to rehome her as they feel it is unfair to keep her as a lone rabbit. They have decided that it would be in her best interests to find her a home where she will get more attention and company. The rabbits original owner (his daughter) has left home to go to university accomodation and her brother and sister currently look after Bramble. I do believe they are trying to do what is in the best interests of their rabbit. He is being very patient with me and has given me time to consider it, my parents are visiting this weekend with their dog so now is not the best time to try an introduction. But if you are saying that bonding chances are nonexistent then an introduction seems silly.

[Beka27]

I see. In that case they might have better luck rehoming to a home with a single bunny. You can try to introduce them to each other, but please be careful. 2 or 3 years is still pretty young for a rabbit, so the hormonal behavior may really become evident when they see each other. I would have your pair in a pen and her outside of the pen (or vice verse) and see how they interact thru the cage. This way if things go badly, it will be a little easier to separate them.

[Firsttimer]

OK the decision has been made, after sleeping on it, spending time with my two bunnies, I’ve decided three might be a crowd.  I’m happy that this opportunity presented itself though because now I’ve actually considered the idea fully until now, I was just always tempted.

[skunklionshow]

All the input has terrorized me….I just acquired a third rabbit and I’m really afraid that he won’t bond w/ my bonded pair.  They are a great pair, but I just couldn’t resist his fuzzy little face and sad story.

[mrmac]

I also just acuired a third rabbit, and we are having some issues. We need to have a 3 bun bonding hotline!

[skunklionshow]

Maybe we should shet up a new topic “three’s company”?

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