Is bonding even possible?

[rayray]

For sometime now, I’ve been considering getting Ziggy a friend.  I’m hoping to get one that both of us love, so I’ll probably bring him on a few “dates” to the Humane Society.

Ziggy has been a single bun since he left his litter mates at 3 months (he’s 2 1/2 yrs old now).  I’m not sure if he even would want a friend. 

Any advice?  How can I be sure he’s happy alone and how will I know if we do even find a rabbit he likes? Would it be harder to bond considering the amount of time he’s spent alone?

His previous owner didn’t give him much attention (hence why he was for sale).  Ziggy never comes to me for affection or to play.  But I do give him plenty of kissing and nose rubs.  He doesn’t run away so I’m assuming he likes it.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I suggest you do some bunny dates. If he really doesn’t seem to like other rabbits, I’m sure he will let you know. I don’t think the amount of time he’s spent alone will affect how well a bond will go. I bonded my Stormy and Bindi when Stormy was about 8 and he’d been alone all that time. I think it’s really more of a personality thing.

Before getting another bun, though, make sure you are ready to dedicate the time, energy and cost of another rabbit. Bonding can take many months in some cases and you will need to house them separately during this time.

[BettyandValentin]

I was thinking the same thing about my bunny a few months ago. I wanted another bun but mine was 5 and always been alone. He was 2 years at a rescue, in a little cage, and 3 years with me alone. He always wanted to be pet, kissed and touched so I tought that he would like to cuddle with another one. My family was against it, they said he was happy as a bachelor. But when I got my new female, they were always cuddling. Now they fight but that’s another story.
He spends as much time with me as before too.

[Deleted User]

I’m getting a little excited rayray…… a bunny friend for Ziggy? I think you want too – so go for it! Not knowing anything at all about bonding (me) – I have read enough to know Ziggy has to get his ‘tart’ on and date big time! ha ha ha…. I think you know what’s involved and the repercussions if it doesn’t work out, so if your sure your up to it, give it a go. You have my support. Cheers rayray.

[rayray]

Well, Ziggy has his 1st and 2nd bunny date! The 1st is just visiting my friend’s bunny to see how he reacts tonight. Then Sat, I found a fostered bunny down the street from me. He’s a male chocolate brown, english lop with a missing front foot, 10 mths old, fixed and likes to snuggle with blankets.
The previous owner set him “free” outside and he got caught in a trap of some kind. That’s all I know for now.

[BunnyLady1989]

That’s awful!! Poor baby…it’s terrible how some people can be. I hope they hit it off!

[Deleted User]

I too have my finger’s and ‘toes’ crossed that you can make the chocolate lop yours rayray. He sound perfectly adorable! Tell Ziggy to be a good boy! ha ha ha ha…. Make sure you update ASAP – I can’t wait to hear the outcome! Cheers.

[rayray]

I was given some interesting insight into Ziggy on Fri night. He’s a bully. lol!
We visited my friend and his mini lop on Fri night. Ziggy pretty much kept him in his cage. When ever Newt tried to come out Ziggy would growl & chase him back in. lol! But Ziggy did enjoy racing up and down my friend’s carpeted stairs.
Date #2. Ziggy was again not impressed with the other bunny. He just hid under the shoe stand and growled. The english was a lot bigger than him so I don’t think he felt as tough as he did with the mini.
He did however get along very well with the cat that was there. lol! After she put the lop away, Ziggy & the cat played “tag” it the long hallway.

So in the end.. it seems Ziggy his a very happy solo bunny. If anything, he fancies me getting a cat. haha!

[BunnyLady1989]

He must like being King Ziggy with a cat as his subject too cute!

[rayray]

He’s pretty annoyed with me now for taking him out and about over the weekend. Hopefully he’ll forgive me by the weekend. I’m not sure if it was just the individual rabbits he didn’t like or rabbits in general. Especially when he got on so well with the stupid cat. lol! I can’t have cats in my apt so that’s not gonna happen for him.

[BunnyLady1989]

Haha, maybe you can get him a stuffed kitty

[Deleted User]

Oh rayray, I’m a little disappointed – I was so sure you were gonna announce your new permanent house guest and Ziggy’s new best friend? But I’m not surprised – I sorta knew Ziggy was a one girl man. At least you know now. But I would have loved to have seen Ziggy’s dates though, funny! But you always knew he was a bit bossy…. ha ha ha ha! Cheers rayray.

[rayray]

It’s a little discouraging. I contacted my HS and they would not do rabbit introductions. What the… They pretty much told me I would have to buy the rabbit and give him a set up in a separate room. Setting up introductions in my home over the course of a few weeks. That’s great and all, but what happens if they hate each other? My expectations are that they will be bonded and possible even live together. I don’t want to have that kind of expectation of either Ziggy or the new rabbit unless I see they at least tolerate each other during the 1st meeting. The whole point if getting another rabbit is for Ziggy to have a friend, not for me to have to separate rabbits. If that makes sense. lol!

[BunnyLady1989]

They wouldn’t allow dates? That’s crazy! I hope you can work out something for Ziggy though

[rayray]

Again, it’s that whole question of “Does Ziggy even want a rabbit friend?”. I’m not sure if he just didn’t like the rabbits themselves or in general. Maybe I’ll see if I can do an intro at home and see if the outcome is different. He may have just been scared being a in a different home or the lop was too big and scared him (the cat he played with was a kitten).
I guess I’ll never really know until Ziggy can talk. haha!

[BunnyLady1989]

Lol that could be a possibility. How big is Ziggy? He doesn’t look too small. Too bad we are so far away, I bet he would like Lulu but maybe he enjoys the bachelor life!

[rayray]

He looks big in pictures for some reason. They say the camera adds 10lbs. lol! He’s about 3lbs. My hand can cover his rump. He’s pretty bossy. He only nudges me when I’m in the way or I have something he wants. If he’s being bad he’ll try to scratch me with his front feet/paws.
I can see him not wanting to share his bunny slave (me.) lol!

[BunnyLady1989]

Haha well he is alittle smaller than Lulu. Sounds like he just like being king of the house and Mr. Bossy I’m thinking I’m in agreement! You are his slave and no one else’s! cute little Ziggy…

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