Is Single house rabbit unhappy

[benjismum]

I really hope you bunny experts can help me as im so worried for my bun Benji. He is pampered house rabbit, large indoor cage of his own but never shut so comes and goes all day as he pleases. Just uses his cage for toilet and down time. He couldnt be any more loved, he is as much loved as any of the family we dote on him. He is 1 now. When we got him he binkied jumped around zooming and dashing.made my heart melt to see how happy we seemed to make him. He flumped in front of the TV with us, happy bun. Since we had him neutred he looks sad. My husband says im nuts because rabbits cant smile.But he does look sad. He NEVER binies, never zooms, never jumps on the sofa to scavenge off us anymore. He spends most of the day in the other room to where we are asleep by the sideboard, almost avoiding us.He eats fine and does love his nose rubs and strokes, but he seems to lifeless. It breaks my heart. Im so confused as half the people i talk to about it say we must get him a wife bun he will be happy then etc but the other half say no he will be happy as he is and doesnt need a wife bun, its just his temperament he is quiet chilled etc. How i wish he could talk so i knew the truth. please help guys i need my bun to be a happy one. oh and ps he has mounds of toys tunnels etc and isnt interested in any of them. his only hobby is chewing cardboard 🙁

[Mikey]

Some bunnies like to be alone, other bunnies like to be paired up with a friend. If you have a bunny shelter nearby, you can consider bringing him in for some bunny speed dates if they allow it

He doesnt seem sad, by what you posted, but he does seem bored. What do you/your family do to interact with him?

[benjismum]

hi mikey thank you for replying. i lie on the floor with him for hours in the evening trying to get him to play with stuff wehave bought he just wanders off unintersted. he does love bunny nose rubs and lets me do that for so long i can hardly move afterwards but never wants to play. he just seems so uninterested in anything other than food.i thought of trying to get another rescue female but then if it upset him i wouldnt forgive myself and feel terrible if i couldnt keep the other rabbit

[DanaNM]

My bunnies have always been happier with a friend, but there are some bunnies that do best alone (but I think they are the minority). If you can take him dating, you’ll have a much better chances of a successful bond.

He also could be mellowing out because he’s getting older! But our rescue says that about 8 months – 1 year is a great age to bond, as they have settled down a bit and just seem like they accept other bunnies more readily.

Is everything OK with him healthy wise? Pooping and eating well? Sometimes a change in personality can indicate a health issue.

. . . 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.  

[Mikey]

You should consider bunny dates at a rescue if possible, I think. If he gets along well with one of the rabbits there (male or female, spayed/neutered), you can start the prebonding process after bringing the bunny home. Of course, if he doesnt like any of the bunnies, then its no harm no foul for trying

[benjismum]

thanks for trplying dana and mikey. hes absolutely very healthy. i have never heard of the dating thing or ho wi would do it. are you based in the uk like mer? i d like to know more for sure

[Sirius&Luna]

Hi

I’m based in the UK, and found it really depends on the rescue. Some aren’t interested it at all, some will let you bring your bun in for a brief meet, and some will even do the bonding for you. I met one at the RSPCA for example where they let the two bunnies run around together and said they would be a good bond, but then wouldn’t let me take him because they discovered my bun was a boy (i thought he was a girl!) and the match was also a boy.

I also found a few ‘professional’ bonders across the country, who will bond a pair for you for generally £50-80.

Have a look at rescues in your area, then send them an email telling them about your bunny and what you’re looking for, and see what options they give you. If you let us know which bit of the UK you’re in, we might even be able to suggest rescues (if you’re comfortable sharing location).

[Bladesmith]

When I first had Clover and let her free roam, it was a constant giggle fest. She was constantly binkying, zooming, and throwing her toys all over. A year and a half later, not so much. I don’t know if it’s because this place is so much smaller, or if she’s just matured. She’s still personable, loves her cuddles (God help me if I go to bed without her nighttime cuddles), and has her occasional zoomie or half binky, but mostly she seems content to lope around the house, eat her hay, and climb on the furniture and doze. She and Dawn spend the day going between the shelf on the big bay windows sunbathing, and sitting behind my recliner, dozing and grooming each other.

At night I can clearly hear them running all over the place, so I know she’s still playful.

[Serenity]

Hi Benjismum! It seems like these guys have it all wrapped in but I might be able to put in my two cents.
I think bonding him to another bun would be a great idea. The bun doesn’t necessarily HAVE to be female (two bucks can get along just as well) but it might be better if you choose a female.
His change in behavior in probably because of the neuter! Most rabbit owners neuter their buns to calm them down and it seems like it had that effect on Benji. He doesn’t seem sad to me, just more mellow because he’s older and neutered.
Anyway, yes you should probably try adopting another bun from a rescue after taking him on a few “bunny dates” to see if he is friendly with other bunnies there.
P.S. May I add that Benji (is that him in your profile?) is absolutely adorable!!

[pinknfwuffy]

I have a single bun, Olaf, and he definitely has mellowed out. I got him at 6 months, pre-neuter, and he was such a little zoomer. Binkies everywhere. I think he calmed down after his surgery due to the lack of hormones and because, after a few months, he settled in to the space. Everything is covered in his fur and smell now so it’s probably not as exciting as it was before.

If you are interested in bunny dating, definitely give it a try. I have chosen to keep Olaf a singleton because we spend so much time together and he hasn’t shown any signs of depression. As for boredom, which can happen to any rabbit, I’d suggest trying clicker training. Since you mention that your rabbit only has high interest in food, you could use pellets or bits of carrot to teach him tricks. Spin, jump, etc. There are a lot of resources online about it but I would suggest giving it a shot since it helps keep bunny’s mind active and trying new things.

Moving toys/furniture around can also help keep things “fresh”. Good luck!

[benjismum]

hi thanks for your reply and the info. i have never heard of professional bunny bonders. i have read a fair bit about it and seems it sometimes doesnt work and then it would be very  sad to have to return a rescue bun if it didnt work. i have recently started fostering buns with the RSPCA so i might ask them about any buns that might be suitable 🙂 i am in manchester by the way x

[benjismum]

hi thank you a giggle fest yes thats a good description, i miss his little giggle fests….benji doesnt make much noise at night he seems to be asleep nearly all the time. your buns sound adorable x

[benjismum]

hi serenity thank you yes that is benji on the photo he is a little kissing machine 🙂 i do feel bad i neutred him if it has had this effect but i read it was best for them 🙁 i do wish i hadnt in hindsight. he loves loafing around and flumps a lot just avoids playing and running, making me think he is sad 🙁 maybe he is just mellow i hope so and thank you for replying x

[benjismum]

hi pinknfwufffy thats actually a super idea..i have heard a bit about this training and he might enjoy it..i am definitely going to look into it more..i think he would do anything for a bit of carrot as i rarely let him have it as im worried about his teeth!! he might even fly for a bite of carrot…x

[pinknfwuffy]

I hope you try it! A little carrot goes a long way. :]

Also, try to monitor his behavior and the time of day. If he is loafing and lazy in the middle of the day (11 am – 5 pm) then it is normal rabbit behavior. Olaf can go for hours at a time just lounging under the coffee table in the afternoons. He’s most active in the morning and early evening, as rabbits are crepuscular and are out and about at dawn and dusk. Benji’s moping might just be mature, adult relaxing. Good luck!

[benjismum]

yes benji likes relaxing under our coffee table too. when he isnt sleeping he just ISNT playing he just potters around never looking like hes having the best of times….i just wish he could talk !! thank you

[sarahthegemini]

Single buns can be happy BUT, almost all buns are happier with a bun companion. Some won’t like to hear it but the fact is rabbits are social creatures. Human interaction just does not compare to the company of their own kind. Not to mention a human’s sleep schedule is very different to that of a rabbit, which means even if you spend every waking minute with your bun, they’ll still be alone when you’re sleeping.

[benjismum]

hi yes i did read that and agree entirely with you, your right im in bed a good 8 hours which is 1/4 of his whole entire day, and im at work a fair bit too….i want whats best for him, just want to do it properly. thank you

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By benjismum on 10/24/2017 3:45 PM

hi yes i did read that and agree entirely with you, your right im in bed a good 8 hours which is 1/4 of his whole entire day, and im at work a fair bit too….i want whats best for him, just want to do it properly. thank you

Just be aware that the bonding process can be very stressful and time consuming (although, totally worth it in my opinion)

[sarahthegemini]

Oh one more thing – you mentioned that he doesn’t binky or sprint but are you sure he’s not doing it whilst you’re sleeping?

[benjismum]

hi i feel benji would be ok with it he is so placid not at all boisterous…we will see!!

[benjismum]

your right he could be i completely hope he is !!!! he’s such a love

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