Good idea or nah?

[BlueS]

I adopted my 1.5 year old lop/lion head mix over a month ago, I’m always home with him besides work (cause I have no life.) I sit on the floor with him and pet and brush him and hand feed him treats to build trust and get him to like me and he has really come around. He likes me and only me at this point considering he doesn’t like strangers.
But at his old home he was the only rabbit but he got to play with cats, and now he doesn’t have cats to play with. I have 3 that come in when I leave my door open, one leaves as soon as he smells the rabbit, one just straight up ignores him and the third will get so close then bolt. None are hostile but it’s beartbreaking because my bunny gets so happy and wants to play with them and runs to them and jumps around just to be dissed or ignored, I don’t think he understands that these aren’t the same kitties he had before. But I think he’s really depressed and lonely even with my company, which I understand. He hides most of the time in The fort I built him and is very destructive where his past owner said he wasn’t before. He’s free roam in my room and I try to make him feel secure by building him a huge fort out of boxes under my bed, which he likes to destroy and hide in 99% of the time. When I’m on the floor he’ll come out and hang out with me but as soon as I have to go he won’t come out.
So I was thinking about getting a second rabbit to keep him company. I know the added responsibility and costs, but has anyone else experienced this and have any tips as to how to manage it ?
I found a rescue to adopt from who actually bonds the rabbits for you, it’s really neat. But what if my rabbit forgets about me in the time he’s gone? Is getting another one a actual solution to his behavior or am I just over thinking?
Thanks in advance!

[Wick & Fable]

I think it’s great that you’re being observant and considerate to your new rabbit’s potential needs — seeing what you believe is depressive behavior (i.e. destruction when previously was not destructive, hiding) can be distressing to see.

For one, I think it’s important to make sure he is acclimated to your home environment first. Bonding can be stressful, and if you chose to bond through a rescue, you want to make sure the return home is one that’s comfortable.

I am not personally experienced with bonding, but I think generally rabbits will still “remember’ their owners, and if not, they will because you are the source of food and that’s a might strong relationship-building tool!

Whether it’s a solution or not, I’m not sure, but based on what you’re saying, companionship other than human does seem to be a likeable route for your rabbit.

I will add, in regards to the cats that roam when you leave the door open (?), I would make sure to monitor at all times, especially the cats that bolt. Wick and I temporarily stayed at a house with a cat and the cat is a huge coward— never hunts, is scared of rats, is extremely lazy one top of that… not a predator in the least. He ran every time he saw Wick or got near him, or when Wick moved.. but after some time, the cat got more acclimated and started hissing, stalking, and looking to pounce at Wick. So keep an eye out for that. A playful bat from a cat can be very dangerous for a rabbit, not to mention traumatic. Wick was chronically stressed from this and it really showed in his affect and energy when he too began to realize a cat was stalking him and trying to get him.

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.

[DanaNM]

Wow, a rescue that bonds for you! What a luxury!

It sounds like he would be happier with a friend (most buns are), and he will remember you! He might, however, be a little grumpy with you for sending him off to a strange place!

I recently took my buns to a sitter’s house for a week while we were on vacation, rather than having the sitter come over, and they were SO grumpy with me when they came home, but only for about 24 hours. Then they were back to normal.

I think buns actually have a very good memory for their owners. My girl Bertha was originally my friend’s bunny. That friend visits once every couple years, and Bertha is still very friendly towards her (relative to how she is with strangers).

I agree with Wick about the cats… I would be cautious about that especially since you don’t know those cats personalities. I keep a close eye on my own cat with my buns, because certain times of day he can get a little too predatory towards them, even though most of the time they ignore each other.

. . . 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.  

[sarahthegemini]

I sometimes have to go into hospital for 3 weeks at a time (lung disease) and I only get to see my rabbits for a few hours at the weekend during that time and my bunnies don’t forget me. Sometimes they’re excited to see me, sometimes they give me the bunny butt but they don’t forget me

[BlueS]

Thank you for your advice!
About the cats, I never leave them unattended, I’ve had these cats for 13 years and they’ve never been hostile but I know how unpredictable animals can be so I never risk anything, I just let them come in and sniff around.
Blue (my bun) also stomps a lot so I don’t know what that has to do with anything, does that mean he’s mad?

[Wick & Fable]

Stomping is a signal of danger, typically from fear. A common topic I see on BB is people saying their rabbit suddenly began stomping at something new or to a noise. Stomping means the rabbit perceives danger. Are there certain places or times the stomping occurs?

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.

[Author]

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