Can’t decide if I shouild adopt a bun or not: pair/single, old/young?

[Cassandra]

Hi everybody,

I’m still considering adopting a rabbit (or pair).  

I’m going back and forth – old or young, pair or single. I have no experience with rabbits, though I’ve done a lot of research. I’m not sure if I’m ready for the commitment or not – if I can handle or afford the money and care required.

Anyway, here are my questions:

1.  Which is easier to take care of – a pair or a single bun?

2.  Which is better for a busy family – a pair or a single bun?

3.  Since I’m not sure if I’m ready for a bun, would an older or younger bun be better?

4.  What are your experience with pairs and singles – which do you prefer?

5.  Which do you recommend more – pair or single? Why?

Any and all extra info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

[Monkeybun]

I’m still under the impression that your parents are saying No to the idea… so whether a single or pair of buns are for you isn’t really an issue at this point.

A single bun is cheaper, just due to the volume of food/litter required, and vet bills, which can get very very expensive, especially for a minor. It would be up to your parents to pay for most of it, really.

Younger buns are more active, and sometimes more naughty, older buns more laid back, but sometimes cost more due to age related illnesses and care.

For a busy family, unless you can spend a lot of time with a bunny, a pair is better, but if the family is TOO busy, it really wouldn’t be fair for the buns if they don’t get any attention. They are social creatures, and need lots of time out of the cage. So if you can’t provide that, its really better to allow people who have the time to adopt them instead.

I hate to sound negative, but its the truth.

[Cassandra]

Thanks for your answer, MonkeyBun. For any pet I would adopt, my parents would ultimately be responsible (though I’d perform 99% of the care), and would pay for vet care and all supplies.

I think you might be right in that I’m not ready for a rabbit. Perhaps fostering and volunteering would be a better option. Thanks again.

PS: Honesty is better than lying! I don’t mind the negativity.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Fostering would be a GREAT way to get your feet wet and find out if you really want a bunny. I mean they are beyond cute, really cool pets-but the care and expense is big-so you could find out if all the cleaning and time and money is worth it and doable.

[Karla]

You’re just like me  Worrying sooo much about getting a pet. My boyfriend and I have been wanting a dog for 2 years, but I am still not sure if I am ready for it and what it implies.

When I was 13 and asked for a pet, my parents said I could have either a dog or a rabbit (weird choice I was given), but that it would be my responsibility 100 %. I read everything I could get a hold of and made long lists of pros and cons, and finally decided for a rabbit. Have you tried making such a list? It sort of helps getting an idea of what it is about. When I was 18, I moved to another country to work for 1, 5 year and though my rabbit was dead at that time, I knew that my parents would have looked after it during that period. I think it is important to also consider such things.

It sounds like you may be considering fostering a bunny, which is a great idea, but I will still answer your questions just in case:

1.  Which is easier to take care of – a pair or a single bun?

I’d say a pair. When you only have one bunny, there is more time involved to keep the bunny company. Of course, it is not hard working keeping a bunny company as such, but I spent a lot of time trying to figure out ways to keep Karl occupied and have fun on his own, because I worried all the time that he was bored. And whenever I had to leave him alone for more than the usual working hours, I felt so bad. But bunnies are different. Some bunnies may live completely fine without bunny company as long as they live with other pets in the house or they have a lot of human companionship.

2.  Which is better for a busy family – a pair or a single bun?

Again, I am a strong believer in having a pair, but the more bunnies, the more work it requires – but not that much. We don’t have a car and getting hay and litter is a hell and cannot be bought at the same time. But people with cars problably won’t think it is hard work having more than one bunny. It also depends on how you are setting up the litterbox. I have been changing litterbox every day, but have just re-arranged the cage, so I only have to do it once a week now. It also depends on your bunny and its litter training habits. You can have three bunnies who hardly ever pee or poop outside the designated area, and you can have just one that never figures out the meaning of a litter box, so you have to wash the floor every day

3.  Since I’m not sure if I’m ready for a bun, would an older or younger bun be better?

I’d say go for a old bunny, but really, it depends on what you are looking for: a teenage bunny can be very overwhelming, but it is fun. And old bunny may require more attention due to illness et.c. but is most likely also more calm and intested in cuddling.

4.  What are your experience with pairs and singles – which do you prefer?

Pairs. I love seeing them snuggle up against each other, play with each other and follow each other around the house. I still have a strong bond with each of them although I have three. In the evening, Jack will jump up on the couch and snuggle up and fall asleep next to me; Karl will jump on my lap every time I sit down on the floor, and Molly loves being kissed on the forehead.

 Why is it that you want a bunny? And not e.g. a rat, a Syrian hamster or perhaps guinea pigs? Looking into these pets might help you find out if it really is a rabbit, you’d like.

[Beka27]

In regards to the young/old question… you can get an adult bunny who is in no way “old” or “senior”. Buns are considered seniors at about age 6 and up. This is when more medical concerns will arise (for the majority of buns… keep in mind that some buns do develop lifelong health issues, or may have a more delicate digestive tract leading to more frequent stasis.) A rabbit is considered an adult at about 1-2 years. Coincidentally, this is also the time when rabbits are being abandoned at shelters b/c the “newness” and baby “cuteness” has worn off, so there is no lack of wonderful “adult, but not old” buns waiting for a forever home. Young bunnies are precious and it’s fun to watch them grow, but they can be so much more destructive and harder to littertrain. And if you are truly going to be responsible for vet bills yourself, ADOPT A BUN WHO IS ALREADY SPAY/NEUTERED. You can automatically save between $100-500 that way.

If finances are an issue, I would not recommend a pair, just based on the vet care alone. It isn’t *much* more expensive to feed, toilet, house a pair… but there are no discounts on vet care.

[Author]

Messages