Should I get my bunny a friend?

[bae]

I’ve had my female Holland lop, Bae, for 10 days now (born February 11th.) I purchased her from a breeder at a VERY reasonable price.

And I feel awful for leaving her in a cage for almost 7 hours all by herself, I was thinking of getting another rabbit (from the same breeder) to keep her company and play with when I’m not home. As soon as i get home I open her cage immediately and let her run free until I go to sleep (about 2:30pm to 10:00pm)

As I can tell, her and I have been getting along fine. I think she trusts me and is perfectly content and comfortable. She binkies around then flops herself on the floor with herself sprawled out, sometimes she’ll roll over on her side and allow me to pet her tummy.

She is also a very lazy bunny. She mostly eats, rests, and occasionally jumps around and plays with toys. I’m hoping if I end up getting another bunny, maybe she’ll get Bae to be more active?

QUESTIONS:

1) will two unfixed female rabbits get along?

2) should they be in separate cages?

3) will they play favorites? (chose each other over me )

4) will they get along better if the new rabbit is the same breed as her? or close ages?

5) would it be better to get them adjusted while they are still young so they grow up with one another?

thanks to anyone who can help me out!!

[LongEaredLions]

1. No. They still have their hormones which will cause them to be agressive.
2. If they are fixed and bonded, no. Otherwise, yes.
3. No, not in my experience. My trio loves me just as much as any of my singles.
4. It doesn’t matter in the slightest. I know a lady who has a young Flemish with and older Netherlands dwarf. The only thing that matters is personality.
5. I would actually wait until they have been fixed and have finished the “teenage stage” before attempting to bond.
Remember, if you do this, don’t do it for her. She is ok as a single bunny, I am sure. Only do this if you want another rabbit, if you have the time and money and space.

[Gracie]

Everything the lions said is very true. Bae is probably not lonely. If you only had her 10 days then she’s still adjusting to living with you. She may become more active over time, she may not. I think Holland Lops are usually a little lackadaisical. (That’s not necessarily a bad thing I have two english spot mixes and they’re trouble hopping). If you give her places to run, cardboard box forts, tunnels, boxes full of paper, she’ll bounce around more.

If your worried about her getting bored during the day. You can make sure she has lots to hop on/around in her cage, lots of toys. Most bunnies like a little white noise, I used to leave NPR on at a very low volume for George (since Mae is a baby this will also help her get accustomed to human voices). Toys that make rattle are always crowd pleasers with my buns

Rabbits, while social do not necessarily need another rabbit in their lives. Some rabbits want to be spoiled only children, some want to be paired and others want a group. Bonding isn’t something to go into lightly for either you or Mae. It is hard work that can be emotionally trying at times. It’s also expensive and takes a lot of space, because the rabbits need to be kept separate until they bond. Take some time to live together just the two of you and get to know each other before you make any decisions. Mae looks like a happy bunny in your pictures (and a major cutie ).

If you find in several months that the both of you want another rabbit in your lives then look into taking Mae for speed dates at your local shelters. She’ll pick out a rabbit that she likes and you’ll get an education in how to bond. Also, it will be cheaper than buying a rabbit from a breeder in the long run because the rabbit will already be spayed/neutered.

You will need to get Mae spayed before you bring another rabbit home, which is expensive but necessary for a happy, non-hormonoly insane household. (You want to get her spayed anyway because of the risk of cancer).

[bae]

Thanks to both of you for the responses! I will wait a bit to see if I am ready for a new rabbit, as well if Bae is ready for a new rabbit. I will need to wait awhile anyways because I don’t have enough room for two at the moment because Bae is living in my room, quite small room by itself plus the furniture. And I’ll have to get another cage. (Bae is living in a 30.5” H x 33.25” W x 17.5” D hutch currently)

I’ll wait about 6 or 7 months before I’ve made my final decision. That gives enough time for Bae to be fully adjusted and hopefully by then I can get her spayed. Because I have heard about the risk of cancer in unfixed doe’s.

I’m of course not only doing it for Bae, I’d completely love to have another bunny

[Author]

Messages