Should I get a friend for my rabbit?

[mschoonover11]

So, I got toby when he was 8 weeks old on November 30th. He is now 4 months old and is starting to develop a personality of his own. He was neutered on January 23rd, and I think he’s ready for a friend. I was NEVER planning on getting another rabbit, but after reading this article from the HRS about bonding, I totally changed my mind. I read that rabbits are not meant to be solitary animals and are used to having and seeing their own kind. This really just makes me want to get Toby a friend

Lately my local HRS has been getting so many rabbits in and it just breaks my heart to see all these homeless rabbits in critical condition There was one case where they found to baby rabbit in a neighborhood’s dumpster! How could someone be so cruel! Like I said, so many rabbits are coming in and they’re running out of space and foster homes. I don’t really want to foster because I’m afraid that Toby and I would get attached to the rabbit while someone else wants to adopt it. If I do adopt, I want to consider getting a female cause I heard I heard the bog process with opposite genders is MUCH easier.  I live in Atlanta, Georgia and the GA HRS’ adoption fee is $85! Pretty pricey, but at least it cover the spay/neuter. 

I just really need advice on this decision because I LOVE traveling and having to find someone to take care of the bunnies would be a nightmare. But a part of me is saying just adopt the second rabbit already! 

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

In general it’s best for rabbits to have a buddy. Some will bond to humans and can thrive as solo buns, but it really depends on the rabbit. I always advise people: if you have any obligations like work or school, please get your rabbit a buddy. Many shelters have dating services where he can meet lovely girls (or lads) to see if it’s a match. Hormones usually die down 6 weeks after a neuter/spay, so he’ll soon be ready to meet another bun. The bonding process isn’t easy though, but there are many experienced people on here.

About travelling: you can teach rabbits to travel with you if you start young and take them on trips frequently. Breintje travels with us on trains, by bus and by car when we visit Bas’ family on the other side of the country. They have a hutch where he can stay. He’s somewhat okay with cars and buses, but hates turning corners because he can slip. I generally take the top off his carrier and support him with my arms so he doesn’t slide around too much. He’s perfectly at ease on a train and loves to perch on my arm. Don’t worry about messes: I’ve heard from many other people that rabbits won’t go in an unknown place.

[Deleted User]

Don’t focus so much on gender. I think that’s a big mistake people make when adopting for their current bunny. Take Toby on dates to shelters to see who he works best with. He may surprise you and become fast friends with a boy. It really depends on the personalities, not necessarily genders. S&L is currently bonding her trio, and her two boys are getting along perfectly. The process can be long and difficult. It’s important to let the new bun settle in for at least a month or longer if they are being spayed/neutered the day you bring them home. If they are being spayed/neutered first you need to wait 1-2 months for hormones to die down. During settling in and waiting that month, you can begin prebonding by swapping out items between their enclosures and swapping them between the enclosures.

I think the important thing to emphasize is the work and money it takes to care for two bunnies/two separate bunnies. While they’re being bonded it means separate everything. Separate cages, litter boxes, play times, hay. You also have to think about if you’re willing to pay for double the medical expenses too, because you really never know what you’re going to get with a bunny. I think the most important thing is to make sure you are prepared for separate everything permanently in the event a bond doesn’t work out. Would you keep both bunnies or would you rehome the second one. I think those are the most important things to think about before getting a second bunny.

[tobyluv]

Most rabbits do love to be with their own kind, to snuggle, to groom each other, to communicate as only a rabbit can. Rescues do stay full and often have to turn away rabbits, especially with Easter coming soon. It’s heartbreaking for rescues not to be able to take all the rabbits in need. It would be great if you could adopt from the GA HRS, to give Toby a friend, and to allow the rescue to take one more. The GA HRS helps with bonding, which would make it easier. It is usually easier to bond a male with a female, neutered and spayed, of course. $85 is a bargain when you consider that most vets charge several hundred dollars to spay a rabbit.

Another bonus with the GA HRS is that they offer boarding services. Since you like to travel, this would be an ideal place for you to go to. You know that your bunny or bunnies would be well looked after.

There are some cases, though rare, where bunnies may not want a companion, or they may be choosy about their companions. The HRS would help you with the choosy bunny case, but you do have to be prepared to keep Toby apart from a new rabbit or to return the new rabbit to the rescue if things don’t work out. That very likely wouldn’t happen, but it is something to think about.

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