Two bunnies instead of one?

FORUM

What are we about? Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules.

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 3sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 10 months ago by Beka27.

Viewing 3 reply threads

Author

Messages
- 05/29/2009 at 11:02 AM
  sibley
  Participant
  305 posts
  I was at the shelter today and there were these two rabbits who were born there and attached to one another… very active (I made them a toy using an idea from here because they looked bored! Put strips of newspaper through the bars of a section of their cage. They liked it a lot)… one actually was a little bit of an acrobat and lofted himself out of the cage (he wouldn’t do well with an xpen) and I had to catch him as he was trekking across the other cage tops of the other bunnies. They were sweet I loved them!
  
  But I noticed one of the bunnies was clearly dominant. If one went to get a drink the other decided he wanted some water too and the meaker one got out of the way.
  
  How do you keep them both happy? Buy two of all accessories?
- 05/29/2009 at 11:07 AM
  TARM
  Participant
  1253 posts
  They follow a natural order. If the submissive bunny wasn’t OK with the dominant bunny butting him out of the way at the water bowl there would be a nasty scuffle to deal with. My Digger, who was an aggressive bunny until Marshmallow arrived, is very submissive to Marshmallow. She gets to eat first, drink first, walk out of the pen first…and he’s OK with that. Even when she swipes his banana slices (which I think is mean so I always sneak him another one when she does that).
- 05/29/2009 at 9:10 PM
  bunnytowne
  Participant
  7538 posts
  I feel bad for the submissive one getting pushed out of the way. However if I would interfere it would cause problems for pecking order is the way of things.
  
  Thats just how things work out. It is good they get along.
- 05/30/2009 at 6:12 PM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  You do have to be careful. Just b/c buns are litter mates or appear to be bonded in a stressful situation (like in a rescue with many other animals), this does not necessarily mean they have a firm bond. We had another member (Sharper) have an awful experience when she adopted two buns that were apparently bonded and they ended up having bad fights at her home, one bun required two ER vet visits. It’s not uncommon for there to be a bun who is clearly dominant, but the submissive bun may at some point try to assert his/her dominance over the other and that can cause scuffles.
  
  If they are both altered and firmly bonded, they should be able to live together with few issues. Some pairs require two litterboxes, some require two food dishes, etc. Sometimes a larger condo or xpen helps them relax, each can have their own space. Every pair is going to be unique.
  
  Are you thinking of adopting them?
Author

Messages

Viewing 3 reply threads

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.