bonding an older intact male

[Oscar]

Hello! This is my first post, and I signed up to this website specifically because I can’t find anything anywhere on bonding an adult (borderline elderly? He’s 8 years old) non neutered male. I never got him fixed because of the limited abilities of the vets in the city I lived in for the first 4 years of Oscar’s life.

Anyways, in the past I have lived with roommates with pets and so he’s friendly with cats and adores them, and he even had a friend chinchilla for a few months. He has been around other rabbits with a rabbit sitter, and didn’t seem to be too much of a problem there. But I’ve been living on my own for a while and I think the lack of other animals for him to bond with is frustrating him. He isn’t afraid to let me know he is bored and I need advice on whether or not trying to actually bond him with another rabbit is too crazy of an idea. I’m hoping ideally to adopt a rabbit that’s between 3-6 years old so maybe the rabbit’s youth will keep Oscar playful. I definitely am worried about getting a female rabbit because the poor girl would be harassed. 

I need to hear some experienced thoughts on whether an unneutered male can befriend a fixed male. Or, perhaps get him a pet hamster to keep near his cage so he has some kind of friendship? I just know my poor bun needs more stimulation and friendship because he is outgoing, playful and curious but I’m worried his hormones might be stronger than his desire to have a fellow bunny friend. I wouldn’t mind getting a second cage for the other rabbit and keeping them close together even if they could never be in the same cage together. But I could see why that wouldn’t work. 

Anyways I’ve rambled on long enough, any advice is appreciated! Thanks in advance 

[Cocoa]

Normally a unfixed male will fight with other bunnies. I have seen some people keep guinea pigs with their bunny but I don’t know if that would be different than another bunny. That might work to keep some animal in a cage next to him though

[Deleted User]

There are instances where an intact male can bond with an altered bun, but it’s very risky. Your boys has been with you for 8 years without another bunny. It could make him territorial over his space, and he could also have any hormonal behaviors really emphasized with a new bun in the house. Even another male could very well be harassed. Males can still hump other males and show aggression. So I think it’s risky, but I have seen it before.

[Sirius&Luna]

Hi

Generally, a unfixed male is too driven by hormones to befriend any other rabbits. They will generally only be interested in humping or fighting. I don’t think another male would lessen the humping behaviour – rabbits don’t just direct their hormonal behaviours at rabbits of the opposite sex. And he would be more likely to fight with another male. When my unfixed male bunny got out with my fixed male, he still tried to hump him relentlessly. He didn’t ever do it with humans, so it’s not necessarily indicative of how he would behave with another rabbit, even if he doesn’t seem that hormonal with you.

Some bunnies do enjoy the companionship of another bunny living near but not with them. They can still see each other, and mirror each others behaviour, and after time might even start to lie along the fence next to each other etc.

However, you do need to be aware that it’s much more work for you. I’ve had bonded rabbits, and currently have three single rabbits while I try to bond them and it’s a bit of a nightmare. They have to be let out for extra running around time in rotation, there’s three times the hutch cleaning, and they all territorially poop around the room. Unfortunately when you have two unbonded bunnies, there’s a constant battle to mark territory with poop.

Honestly, I don’t know a lot about hamsters, but I cant imagine a hamster living near him would bring him any benefit at all. I honestly doubt he would notice. If he’s got on with cats before, is there a reason why you wouldn’t be interested in another cat? Of course, again, it depends on the cat’s personality too.

Cocoa, unfortunately rabbits can seriously injure guinea pigs with their big back paws, and can pass diseases on to them that rabbits are resistant to, but guinea pigs aren’t, so it’s not advised to keep them together.

[Cocoa]

I didn’t know that you couldn’t. There is a pet store near me that always has rabbits from a shelter in a 3×3 pen with guinea pigs. The pen is too small. But thank you for correcting me

[Cocoa]

I didn’t know that you couldn’t. There is a pet store near me that always has rabbits from a shelter in a 3×3 pen with guinea pigs. The pen is too small. But thank you for correcting me

[Sirius&Luna]

Yes, sadly they’re often promoted as a good combination by pet shops. In the same way that people think rabbits should just eat carrots I guess

[Author]

Messages