What to do for my bunny who’s bond mate passed.

[A Happy Herd of Hares]

What should I do? She ate a little and drank a bit, but she is definetly depressed. She’s only 3 months but she was very attached to her mate, please help!

[jerseygirl]

Oh I am sorry you lost one. Was he/she the same age?
Do you know what happened?

Normally I would suggest looking to get another companion if a rabbit is depressed for too long, but not when she is just 3 months old.
The chances are, you may have had to separate the 2 bunnies within the next few weeks due to changes in their behaviour. When they reach 3-4 months and the hormones come in, rabbits can often end up fighting.

I would just spend as much time with her as you can. Stick to routine and perhaps give her new things to investigate (chew toys, tunnels etc). You could provide a stuffed toy for her to sit near. Some rabbits really like that.

If you are thinking about getting another rabbit for the future, you would need to house them separately at first, but having another close by still bring some companionship.

[A Happy Herd of Hares]

Thank you jersygirl, her mate wasn’t the same age, she was actually very old so Sadie is very submissive. The vet wasn’t quite sure what happened to her, just that she wasn’t doing well and it would be best to let her rest now. I checked on her this morning and she won’t move away from where her mate was last sitting, and if I try to move her she bites. (Which she is usually very very docile and hasn’t ever bitten)

[A Happy Herd of Hares]

Thank you, no she was actually very old, therefore Sadie is very submissive to all other rabbits and people.
I checked on her a minute ago and she won’t move away from where her mate was before she was taken to the vet, and if you pick her up and place her somewhere else she bites. (She’s usually very sweet)
We don’t know, the vet wasn’t sure what happened, but she said she wasn’t doing well and it would be better for her if we let her rest now, so we decided to do her a favor and put her to sleep.

[Bam]

I agree with Jerseygirl, she does need you now. Even if she doesn’t seem to want you around, she shouldn’t be alone.

Bringing in another rabbit could potentially help, but as Jersey also says, since she is about to hit puberty any time now, they’d have to be separated until desexed and healed. In a way it’s good she’s very young because that means should be able to attach to another rabbit even if they have to be separated -as long as they can see and hear and smell each other. You might feel it is too soon, though. Humans do need time to grieve a rabbit that has passed away, and the whole family should preferably be ready to go all in when a new pet is added to the household.

Is she eating and pooping?

[A Happy Herd of Hares]

Ok, that sounds good.

She wouldn’t eat this morning and she pooped, but it was a little unusual. I was with her all day today, she’s so sweet. ???

[A Happy Herd of Hares]

Hey everyBun!
Sadiewasnt doing any better, and a few days ago I acquired a bunny that’s owner couldn’t keep her,
I put them together and wow…they LOVE each other. The new girl is older than Sadie therefore she is
dominant, I think they’ll make an excellent pair! Ps the new girl is a Rex named Sassy!

[12345ABCDE]

I see that you mean well but you really must separate them. Age means nothing in regards to whose dominant or not and as soon as Sadie’s hormones kick in, a nasty fight can occur. Not to mention, you can’t just put two rabbits together anyway. You need to go through a full bonding process.

[A Happy Herd of Hares]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that…I did bond them slowly, and Sadies hormones have hit, sassy Humped her and they have been ok. They haven’t fought, I have been watching them extremely close, if I see one I will separate them imediayely

[12345ABCDE]

You’re not understanding…bunnies can fight within the blink of an eye and you’re not going to be able to supervise them 24/7. Why wait for a fight to occur? You need to prevent it from happening in the first place and you can only do that by keeping them apart.

Also, you said you bonded them slowly but you said on the 5th Oct that you’d had her for just a few days. That doesn’t add up.

[A Happy Herd of Hares]

Yes I had her for a few days before bonding them.

I have bonded young rabbits before…from babies to adults even.

[12345ABCDE]

Yeah, that doesn’t add up with your claim that you bonded slowly.

I think you’re playing with fire.

[A Happy Herd of Hares]

Ok well I’m going to stop following this…..I’ve done this part before, and we just don’t agree in our binding ways ?

[12345ABCDE]

I really think you should read up a bit more. There is no ‘one size fits all’ but there ARE steps that need to be taken to ensure a healthy and secure bond. Getting both buns neutered and spayed and pre bonding for a sufficient amount of time is absolutely essential. When people report here that they’ve ran into issues it’s often because those steps were rushed or skipped entirely.

You’re obviously going to do what you want but please be aware that your reluctance to take on the advice is putting your rabbit’s at risk.

[Asriel and Bombur]

I agree you’re going very fast. You need to let the new girl settle in. Her personality could very well change after you’ve had her a while. And it doesn’t sound like anything is actually cemented at all. As one is hormonal, they need to be separated or a fight will occur.

[jerseygirl]

This thread has been locked Advice has been given, and we have determined that no benefit may come from further engagement.

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