Do I *need* a second bunny?

[xeclipse]

As you guys know, I got a baby bunny about three weeks ago. I’ve been doing a lot of research, and I was wondering, should I get another bunny? I am not ready for one right now, so if I did, it would have to be several months down the road. I take my bunny out frequently, and he is very social. He has also met my 6 month old Collie puppy. She is gentle with him and prefers to just watch him… she thinks he is the most interesting thing, ever! I just don’t want him to be lonely the times he doesn’t get to come out and play. I have read about getting a guinea pig for a bunny’s friend, but… I prefer bunnies! If I did get another one, I’d want it to be an already spayed/neutered adult.

[KatnipCrzy]

Guinea pigs do not make great companions for rabbit- they have different dietary needs and a bunny could too easily seriously injure a guinea pig by mistake if they get started and kick the guinea pig.

My first bunny was a young bunny and I held out until she was about a year old until I got my next bunny- and I am really glad that I did have that one on one bonding (to me) and learning time with her.  I think that is why Cotton is such a Diva now= she was used to 100% of the bunny attention focused on her= but I would not have her any other way!

Obviously the decision is yours but if you think you can wait until your bunny is spayed/neutered and hormones are settled= that would be a good time to think about getting another bunny.  Otherwise you will have bunny hormones to deal with and that can affect the new bunny coming into the house and make the bunnys transition time with territorial marking a little longer.  My 2 are still not completely bonded and it does add extra work to have 2 pens, 2 litterboxes, 2 bunnies to have free run at different times.

But I also think that you will KNOW when you find the right bunny to bring home- and that outweighs a lot of the logic of waiting and timing.

Julie

[Beka27]

I agree with Katnip. You never *have* to get a second bunny if you don’t want to or unable to. Rabbits are very social creatures so they enjoy the companionship of another of their kind, but with enough attention and playtime on your part, a single bun can live a long, happy, healthy life.

Some things to take into consideration: it would be best if your bun was neutered first. There is the additional cost of double food, double vet care, two separate cages/pens/supplies until they bond. Time is a big factor. Two cages to clean, two separate playtimes, bonding requires daily sessions… sometimes a couple weeks, sometimes longer.

If you know you’re not ready for a second now, definitely wait! I had my girl for almost a year before we adopted our boy. It was nice to have some time to get to know her and bond with her and get her thru the “teenager stage” in one piece.

I bet when you’re ready to take him dating (the preferred method), he will find the right bunny, even if it is several months or a year down the road…

[xeclipse]

Thanks so much for the information! My cousin came over and insisted he needed a friend, or I should get rid of him! She used to raise show rabbits, so I was concerned. But, her rabbits were kept in outside hutches. He is kept in a cage right when you walk in the house and gets let out several times a day.

Also, I do plan on neutering (or spaying — not too sure if he is really a he yet!) as soon as I can. I am actually calling a couple vets tomorrow to start planning this out. 🙂

[lilmizzsnickerz]

i wouldnt get a guinea pig that means 2 differant cages and 2 differant food types i have rabbits and one guinea pig and they only see each other in the play pen dont feel that you have to get another rabbit . i started of with one and i found he liked my company better now that i have so many they all have their wee freinds and i get left watching =(

[Adalaide]

Haha, Freya’s been home 2 weeks and I’ve already wondered if I made a mistake by not bringing her sister home with her. Wouldn’t that have been the easiest ever? Littermates, no bonding needed… sigh, I still can’t get her to pee in a box She acts like a toddler, always causing trouble, doing things she knows she shouldn’t just to test her limits and putting everything in sight in her mouth lol. Assuming one day I get another (I may not) that’s quite far down the road.

[hooty22]

I’ve had Felony since he was 4 weeks old. He turned 2 in October. He’s been the only non-human in the house since I brought him home. Granted he is free range, but I think he’s fine. He spends time with me when I’m home at night. I know from being home during the day on the weekends, he spends most of the day time hanging out in his Maze Haven (free advertising plug). As long as he gets his free time out to play and socializes with you a few hours I don’t think you need another bunny. I think this is especially true with buns that have been alone since they were little. I’m pretty sure Felony sees me at the unfurry giant bunny subordinate, so in a way you are his companion bunny.

[Beka27]

I’ve read this in a few different threads… so just a clarification: bringing home two littermates does not mean that a bonding will never be necessary. In *some* case they can get thru the puberty, speutering, and recovery with the bond intact, but half the time this is not the case and they still have to be split up when they reach sexual maturity and reintroduced after the surgeries. There is very little, if any “familial recognition” between bunnies once they reach puberty.

[Adalaide]

O.o I was told by someone who clearly has no clue that since they were housed together as babes, and stay together growing up that they’ll be fine forever together. I guess maybe he just had a good experience. I’m glad you cleared that up before I end up doing something stupid one day.

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