Losing a human bond in favor of a bunny bond?

[Julezypie]

 When we brought Fiona home, she was just my bunny. Since she has been with us for a month, my husband has decided that he wants a bunny of his own and that Fiona should have a friend. Fiona has bonded to me (tolerates my husband and does spend a little time with him) and I am worried that if we bring home another bunny, she may lose her bond with me. W3 would want the bunnies to be bonded, of course, so they could have a huge NIC condo and spend time together. 

I know birds lose human bonds when there are other birds housed together, which is where my question is coming from. Any input from the experts would be appreciated! Thanks!

[hannaroo]

It varies from bunny to bunny. The pros of a bunny bond is that rabbits can communicate much better with each other than a human companion. They can also comfort eachother when stressed and keep eachother company if you work.
I found that my bunnies were actually bonded better with me because they seem much more secure now they have eachother. Although this could be down to getting them fixed….
I think the primary concern would be the cost and commitment of a new bunny and the impact it would have on your current one.
If you do go down the route of getting another bunny then I suggest rabbit dates at a rescue? Letting your bun pick her companion is a great choice and you can see how she interacts with you and your husband.

[Baxter n Boos Mom]

My husband chose our first bun Baxter. And I was concerned that he was lonely – so I selected our next bun, baby Boo. So we each have a bun :-). It is nice they have each other at night, while we’re asleep – but I still think Baxter is more bonded to us, than his bunny companion.

But as Hannaroo said – it varies from bun to bun.

Although he loves Boo, my husband regrets getting the second bunny, as Baxter’s behavior and litter habits were better when he was a single bun. And there is more cost/work to having 2 buns.

[Elrohwen]

It varies. I have one bunny who was always aloof with us, and that didn’t change when he was bonded. My other bunny lived as a single bun for 3 years and is very focused on people. She bonded strongly with my other bun, but still likes people and is affectionate. But yes, bunnies who are bonded do focus a lot of their energies on each other, and at least a little bit of that takes away from time they spend with their people. It doesn’t mean they will completely lose their bond with humans though. IME, getting another bunny really is like getting a bonded mate for them, not just a buddy like dogs and cats may be with each other. It’s a really special and deep bond that is fun to watch and I don’t regret getting a second.

Personally, I think it’s best to wait until your first bun is at least a year old and fixed. For one, a more settled bun will make it easier to find a bond mate. Second, it will give the bun more time to really develop a bond with humans before another bunny is introduced.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

I have two buns and they are madly in love. But before bonding my rabbits they would have separate play times. Harley was a total mommas boy. He would lounge on the couch with me for house at a time. He would lay at my feet as I watched tv, and head bump me demanding pets.
Sally, she was more dependent. She spent most of her time hanging out in the kitchen. When I would walk in there she would run up to me and ask for a few pets and I could pet her face for as long as I wanted. But she never came into the living room and never was really in sight when she was exercising.

Since bonding I will say that for the first week Harley was all about Sally. He didn’t pay me much mind. I could still go to him and pet him, but he quit seeking out affection and wouldn’t lounge as much with me on the couch. After that first week he is now back to being the big cuddler, seeking out attention and hanging out with his momma. Actually, when he gets on the couch, Sally tries to follow but Harley will kick Sally off the couch to keep me to himself lol

Sally, she changed SO MUCH since bonding to Harley. She is much more social. She is in the living room ALL THE TIME now and lounges by my feet with Harley. It’s because she follows Harley and Harley is the social butterfly so where you see Harley, you see Sally. So I am definitely ECSTATIC that I decided to bond the two! It could have very well reversed and Harley would have just followed Sally’s way and he wouldn’t be social anymore and I would be left alone, but it was Sally who took pursuit of Harley’s way giving me two social butterflys I will say that I can’t pet Sally as much as I would like to but I sure do enjoy her company! She isn’t skittish or anything, she just prefers I keep my dirty hands to myself :p Also, Harley is the dominant bunny so he leads and Sally follows. I’m sure if Sally was the dominant one should would lead and he follow pursuit. So I’m glad Harley decided to take the reins on this one

[tanlover14]

I have five bonded buns and none of mine have EVER been less social with us since being bonded. They were for like the first week when they were still getting used to each other but after the initial bonding period they became all about us again. They ALL run to the door when we walk up in the morning or come home at night… and when we hang out with them in the x pen all five of them are all over us and pay way more attention to me than the others.

We have also kept up a schedule of having “lap time” with our buns that like to cuddle and we make sure to give play time together with us to the ones who don’t like to cuddle but like to play with us. I think too many people stop giving their buns the same amount of attention (thinking they have a new friend so they don’t need to give so much time and attention to the bun) and then wonder why their bond isn’t as strong as it used to be.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

I totally agree with it really being the peoples side that quits socializing with their bunny thinking the bunny doesn’t need it anymore. I am just as into my buns as before the bonding and he still loves me just as much pre bonded And Sally is even MORE social with me since being bonded to Harley. It’s like he gave her the extra confidence or something.

Instead of deciding on getting a 2nd bunny based on if your relationship will change, you should base your decision on how much time you will have available for BOTH the buns. If you get two, don’t JUST pay attention to fiona, but pay equally amounts to the other bun as well. Cost will double as well as time. keep in mind of vet costs, food, hay everything will double. That’s what you should be paying attention to first.

[Author]

Messages