Timings of introductions and neutering of new rabbits?

[lucy :)]

Hi all

Total forum newbie here so sorry if I am mis-posting.

I am planning on getting a pair of rabbits to keep as house pets in the new year.  I’ve never had rabbits before and so I’m doing lots of research beforehand to make sure it’s the right decision for me.

I want to get more than one bun so they aren’t lonely, and I’ve read that they are most likely to get along if you have a neutered male and a neutered female.  I’ve had a search round but can’t find any clear guidance on how to manage this in terms of timings.  There seems to be a bit of an age range when they can be neutered (some sources I have seen say this can be as young as 3 1/2 months, but that most vets won’t do it until 6 months).  Obviously I want to be able to socialise my buns as early as possible so they don’t get lonely, but I don’t want any accidental pregnancies in that period before they are neutered.  I realise that these things don’t work like clockwork and I was wondering if any of you could share some advice or experience that might help me?

If it bears any relevance I am planning on converting my spare bedroom into a ‘bunny room’ with two large indoor cages for them to hang out in if they feel scared/want shelter etc.  My plan was at first to gradually expand their living area from the cages into the whole room, allowing them out and about in other areas of the house as they get older and more confident (supervised only).  From what I’ve read it’s a good idea to expand their living area gradually to avoid anxiety – I’m wondering if this process could also provide me with an opportunity to allow them supervised time together before they are neutered without risking accidental pregnancy?? Or should they be kept together as housemates from the beginning?

Or am I totally barking up the wrong tree?! If so please let me know as I’m desperate to learn as much as possible so I don’t make any big mistakes!

Any advice whatsoever would be really appreciated!

ps.  I have also found a bunny-specialist vet in my local area who I am planning on getting to perform the procedure. Even if I end up with two bunnies of the same sex I am planning on getting them neutered (for all the various reasons you can read about online and I’m sure you all know much more about than me!).

 

 

[Megabunny]

I’m pretty sure you will be advised to keep them separate until neutered. There have been way too many oops litters from people trying to guess when it’s time to separate. I don’t know how much you’ll want them out and about before they are neutered. You’ll have to see how well they do with litter training, but generally they will at least leave droppings all over the place until neutered. Have you considered getting a pair that is already neutered and bonded? Saves a ton of money and gives you an idea of their personalities, as they often change as they age. People find it does not inhibit their ability to bond with their rabbit, as they are just so cute at any age! I would definitely look into a bonded pair.

[lucy :)]

Hi Megabunny

I hadn’t thought of getting a pair that are already bonded but that makes good sense. I don’t mind getting them a little older and it sounds like it would save a lot of problems.

Is it likely that I could get a pair like this from a rescue centre? Or what would you recommend? Like I said I am a total newbie to this so really just want to find out as much as possible before I make any decisions!

Thanks!

[Megabunny]

First of all I will say to be certain you want the rabbits you adopt because you’ll have them for a long time. When I got rabbits from Craigs List on two different occasions, the people brought the rabbit, put the in my arms and that was it, I really didn’t want the rabbit the first time that happened, but I didn’t have the nerve to question it. I never really warmed up to him. The second rabbit I would’ve still taken and she was a doll, but had a lot of medical issues. We never got her healthy and she died about 9 months and $6-700 later.

When we moved, I had to at least try to rehome a bonded pair (one was the rabbit I never liked much) so I decided to see what happened with CL. I had an amazing person call me up and adopt them and we have become friends and the rabbits are having the time of their lives with her. That was a true blessing.

That said, you could be the saving grace to a pair of rabbits, too, if you find the right ones. And there are a lots of really good ones out there. You have to love rabbits for who they are and adjust to their ways, to a point.

I don’t know where you’re located. Is there a shelter nearby that takes rabbits? Craig’s list? Petfinder.com is a great one because they list all kinds of rescue places you might not otherwise know about, and you can view the animals on-line, narrow the search down to a certain number of miles from your home. And you know they already have a foster home if you decide not to adopt them, as opposed to feeling like you’re the only one who will take the animals so you take them out of guilt even though they aren’t your top choice. That may sound selfish, but you do need to start with pets you like. People (like Little Lion Head) adopt breeds they never thought they wanted because they just connected with that animal. If you get a pair that’s already bonded and neutered and you can get a sense of the personality, I think that will put you ahead of the game. Let me know!

[tobyluv]

Megabunny gave you a lot of good advice. Almost all rescues spay and neuter their rabbits, some shelters (humane societies) spay and neuter rabbits too. There will be bonded pairs already in rescues, which makes it so much easier for you and will save you money on spay and neuter surgery. Even if there aren’t any bonded pairs at the rescues closest to you, with the rabbits spayed and neutered, you will be able to bring them home and start in on the bonding right away, or in a day or two if you think they need to settle in first. If they aren’t already bonded, keep their cages or enclosures next to each other, so that they can get used to one another. Besides Petfinder, there is also Pet Harbor that you can check for rescues. Sometimes I’ve seen rabbits listed there in shelters or rescues that aren’t listed on Petfinder.

[Little Lion Head]

I see quite a few bonded pairs on Petfinder (local rescues). I think people are scared of committing to two bunnies (rightfully so….two vet bills, two chompers and diggers haha!) so you might have some luck there! Cool idea with the spare bedroom. Thats what we did with Pumpkin. She’s a shelter bunny and we got her at about a year and a half old. She started in the spare room but has since taken over the whole house! Good luck!

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