baby bunny

[Louiethebunny]

I’m hoping to adopt a baby bunny later this year, and I was wondering how to go about keeping he/she with my current 7 mo male rabbit. Louie is free-roam with an xpen, and I know baby bunnies cannot form true bonds, so would I keep them separate or let them interact? I was thinking I could keep the baby in the xpen and have Louie free roam then switch them when the other needs exercise so they can get used to each other’s scents. After the new baby gets spayed/neutered I would then begin the bonding process. The room Louie is in is the only room where I could really house rabbits, so I was trying to make a plan before I actually begin getting a new rabbit.

[Dface]

Most people really really would not recommend this approach for a few reasons. Like you already know, babies don’t form true bonds, and it is really heartbreaking to surrender a baby when the bond just doesn’t work, which it often doesnt.

Most of us here advise letting rabbits pick their partners, that way the bonding process is far easier, there is less overall stress (for you and the rabbits) and you tend to know a bit more about the bun you will be bringing home (personality, temperament, health conditions)

Plus it really helps to give an unwanted rabbit a new home as there is already such a surplus in rescues, and added bonus of not having to house a hormonal bunny because they are usually neutered by the time you take them home !

 

 

 

[DanaNM]

Agree with Dface, if at all possible it’s best to adopt an already spayed/neutered bun. But I think you mentioned in another thread that’s what you were planning on? Are you just exploring different options?

Either way, best to not let them interact until you are ready for bonding. It also isn’t totally necessary to do side swapping until after neuter/spay because the new bun will smell different as hormones change.

. . . 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.  

[Louiethebunny]

Ok, thank you. I’m hoping to adopt from a shelter, and there are tons of rescues near me that save tons of baby buns as well, probably accidental litters that are abandoned. Louie is on the younger side, being under a year, so I’m looking at bunnies leaning towards the younger side so they can live long lives together. Many of the shelters near here don’t spay or neuter until the rabbits are 6-7 months, so I’m trying to make a plan according to what I’ve noticed around here. The shelters do adopt out with a spay/neuter contract though which is very helpful considering how expensive surgery can be.

[DanaNM]

Ah, I understand. That’s very unusual that they would adopt out an animal without it being castrated, but maybe they are trying to minimize the number of animals in the system due to covid and RHD concerns.

. . . 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.  

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