Rabbit number two

[lucygoosey]

I am currently thinking of adopting another rabbit friend for Lucy but before I begin a bonding process, my boyfriend seems to think that I might be taking on too much. How much more does it cost to have another rabbit? (I have a large cage for lucy that can be expanded so that is not an issue) and is it really more work?

EDIT:

Another question… do rabbits have to be bonded male and female? And what is the difference between different gender and same gender bonding practices?

[sevyn]

Well, I’m not an expert on this myself (I’ve only done preparation reading since I’m planning to do this myself), but I have gathered a few facts and ideas that might help:

First off, the cost will depend on your bunny’s size. You should be thinking, logically, about double the price for supplies since things will typically need to be done twice as often (cleaning litterboxes, etc.), both will need regularly scheduled vet checkups, and both bunnies will need an adequate supply of food. You also need to be ready to account for any problems your new bun might have or develop, or any potentially finicky behaviour he or she may have (needing his or her own litterbox, only eating select kinds of veggies, etc. etc.).

Also, of course, you’ll have to go through the process of bonding your bunnies. Apparently male and female bonding processes are quicker and generally more effective, but same-gender pairs also often work out. Either way, you need to be ready for the fact that it may take weeks or even months, if it ever even happens, before your buns are ready to live together, and you’ll need to accomodate each their own comfortable space in this time. Bonding takes time and patience, and if you do decide to get another bun, you’ll want to make sure that the bun you pick isn’t just a bun you like, but also one that Lucy does; BinkyBunny has a great bonding guide as well as links to other sites with advice, and I advise you go through them thoroughly so you’re sure you’re ready for the challenge and know what you’re getting yourself into.

As long as you understand what you’ll need to do if you get a new bunny and are ready for any obstacles you might face, I don’t see any downsides to having a new bun, and I’m sure Lucy will thank you in the long run. I hope I’ve helped at least somewhat. Good luck!

[MooBunnay]

Hi!  At my rescue we almost always put buns in pairs if they haven’t gotten adopted in a month or two because we have found that buns are happy n pairs, probably because they are such social animals, and even though they love us humans – we can’t exactly groom and snuggle the same way another bunny can!

In my own personal experience I have not found two to be much different than one – Sevyn was right to point out though that that does mean 2x the food, vet visits and other expenses.  I actually got the pair a slightly bigger litterbox and change it as often as I change my single bunnies litterbox just to cut down on the number of litterbox change times.

One thing you can do to make the bonding experience MUCH less difficult is to get in touch with a local rescue and let them know you are looking for a friend for your bunny – that way you can go to an adoption event and take your bunny on several dates.  By doing that – you can ensure that you get a bunny that your bunny at least LIKES which will significantly reduce the amount of time that it takes to bond the two.  If you’re lucky – you might even get "love at first sight" which also makes for a fairly short bonding process.  I haven’t yet had ANY luck with same gender bonds, but I have heard of it working so you can always try either gender.

 

[Hedi]

You definitely should let your bun pick out her own mate. I got lucky with bringing home Cooper to Pookie because she just wanted a friend. I dont think they are a love match but they are definitely best buds. Pookie is very shy and wants a dominant bunny.

My Carrera is a diva and she will have to pick her own mate out. If I bring home a male bunny for her chances are she will scratch his eyes out.

YOu have to accept, if you decide to go find a second bun without first getting your own buns approval, that if it is not a love match and they hate eachother that you will have to house them separately. When I brought Cooper home I accepted the fact that if Pookie didnt like him that he would have to have his own cage. But I loved him so much I didnt care and we had room for a third cage.

A lot of people think buns are like cats or dogs, throw them in together and they will at least tolerate each other. But because of the hierarchy of rabbits that just wont work.

This is a great article from HRS:

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/2-5/ever-be-friends.html

Rabbit Hierarchy explained:

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/1/kingdoms.html

[skunklionshow]

I recently bonded Jessica w/ the lionhead from my pet therapy program.  I was leaving that position and I loved that little lionhead, so I convinced the hubby to try a second bun.  Jessica knew Leo from her days in the pet therapy program, but after having a bunny fight w/ previously bonded females I was very skeptical.  Jessica is spayed, but Leo is not neutered.  He was orig scheduled for a neuter today, but due to an unexpected dental emergency, I’ve had to postpone the neuter until the fall. 

I must say, that Jess seems much happier having a bunny friend in the home.  Previously, it was her and the 4 cats.  Now, she and Leo get into trouble together…which is cute.  They sneak into places they shouldn’t and both give the "stink eye" from the bunny bed on the top shelf.  It has worked out very well.

I agree that the biggest difference has been the $$$$.  After getting Jess up to speed w/ the spay and health visits and the cat’s updated w/ this year’s physicals, I thought I was in the clear w/ the vet bills.  Then Max needed to have his toe amputated and Leo needed his teeth done.  I know that once this stuff is done, I’ll be ok vet wise for a while (atleast I hope).  The cleaning and supplies really aren’t that much more expensive.  Not like it was getting the supplies for the 3 therapy buns. 

However, evening meds has become a chore (both Leo and Jess are on meds currently).  Litterboxes are done every other day w/ the cats and they are both very good w/ their litterboxes so the cage cleaning isn’t so bad.  When they get their evening meds, I chop up lots of veggies and herbs.  The only situation is Leo doesn’t like the same stuff as Jess.  However, I set up a little bunny trough salad bar, that allows them to pick and choose. 

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

Aww I hope all your pets are doing well! You should post some pics of the new bunny buddies

[BinkyBunny]

You have been given some great advice. I wanted to add some info about bonding different & same sex. Though typically male/female pairs are easier, it really comes down to dominance and passive, more than it does male or female. Two stubborn dominant bunnies (no matter what sex) will usually not get along, unless one backs down a bit. Two passives usually do fine. A dominant and a passive or at least less dominant work out. But even with that said, they have to like each other and want to be passive or dominant with each other. So bunny dating is the best way to find a match.

[lucygoosey]

Thanks for all the fantastic advice guys! Sorry I wasn’t able to get back to you sooner but work has been insane!

Anyhoos today is my first day off so I’m take Lucy down to the local animal shelter to do some bunny speed dating! I’ve also got a call from another shelter down in the town next to us who says they have a perfect bunny for lucy also! I’ll update you guys on how it goes!

**

Claud.

[sevyn]

Best of luck finding the perfect companion for Lucy, let us know how it goes! I have my fingers crossed for you!

[Scarlet_Rose]

Good luck with the dating and I can’t wait to hear your report!

[lucygoosey]

Okay so back from the little speed date with Lucy and no luck at all. I went to our local SPCA shelter and I was very unhappy with the way they handled the introduction. They basically opened up a play pen and threw them both in. We were outside so the dog kennel was just right next door and as if the whole situation wasn’t stressful enough for Lucy she had to deal with barking dogs. The lady stayed for about 5 minutes then left. She could give me no information about the other bunny other then the day he was brought in. Lucy didn’t seem to like him very much and near the end he started to chase her a bit. We weren’t even there for 10 minutes before I called it quits. I wasn’t comfortable with Lucy being in such a stressful environment and the pen was too high so I had no access to the bunnies if a fight broke out. Needless to say I won’t be going back there again.

However, I have recieved a call from another shelter who specializes in small animals and there is a nice little black bunny that the lady said would be perfect for Lucy. This bunny’s name is Pit-Stop and he comes with a heart breaking history. He was found in a small carrier, abandoned on the side of an extremely busy highway. The lady said Pit-Stop is extremely gentle and loves living with other bunnies. Unfortunately Pit Stop has developed a minor infection so we have to wait until he feels better to introduce him to Lucy.

*^^* So in the meantime we are awaiting this Lady’s phone call so that the two can go on their first date!

[Scarlet_Rose]

Gosh I’m sorry to hear about the last speed date. That makes me very sad of the way they handled the date. You’re right, it’s not the best situation in which to try and see if a bunny pair is compatible. I do hope that bunny finds a good home. Pit Stop sounds like a good possibility and I really hope that this will be it for Lucy. I’ve got my fingers crossed for both of them.

[BinkyBunny]

wunwun, I am sorry you had such a bad experience at the first shelter. And the fact that the lady left you alone after five minutes – wha?? what is with that? Anyway, I think it was a smart move for you to call it quits.

It sounds like the second shelter may be better. So I look forward to hearing all about it.

[Gravehearted]

I’m sorry things don’t go well at the first shelter and really hope the second shelter will call soon

[MooBunnay]

Thats too bad about the first shelter at the rescues I work with we are so excited to find an adopter we will stick onto them until they are in the car with the newly bonded pair! Thats sad for the bunnies at that shelter two because that gives them a much lower chance of being adopted. I hope pit-stop works out – what a sad sad story – its awful how horrible people can be.

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