Is getting another rabbit a bad idea?

[Bunnysdreams]

Hi. I've recently been thinking about getting a new rabbit (pretty young a couple of months) but the problem is that I already have a 4-year-old rabbit at home. My 4-year-old is not spayed (I got her when she was 2) and I do not have the money to spay the other one. Are the rabbits gonna bond or is it gonna turn into a mess?

 

[Kate7654]

It’s really hard to bond two unspayed rabbits if they didn’t grow up together. I personally wouldn’t without spaying. It’s the same in my area too. Spaying is so expensive but it’s worth it. I wouldn’t try bonding the two without spaying.

 

[Bunnysdreams]

It’s really hard to bond two unspayed rabbits if they didn’t grow up together. I personally wouldn’t without spaying. It’s the same in my area too. Spaying is so expensive but it’s worth it. I wouldn’t try bonding the two without spaying.

Thank you. I forgot to write it in the post but I was wondering is it easier for rabbits the same gender to get along or doesn't gender matter?

 

[Kate7654]

A buck and a buck hardly ever get along. A buck and a doe do great if there spayed and neutered. A doe and a doe do well if they are sisters or introduced from a very young age or if they are both spayed. Hope this helps!

 

[zuppa]

Thank you. I forgot to write it in the post but I was wondering is it easier for rabbits the same gender to get along or doesn't gender matter?

The best in your situation would be to get already neutered male rabbit from your local rescue, there's no guarantee they will bond but female + neutered male is generally good combination. If you want to get a young male rabbit and neuter him (it is a little bit cheaper usually than spaying a female) you will have to keep them separately about 6 weeks after surgery and then introduce to each other. Male can be neutered starting from 4-6 months of age depending on your vet and your rabbit if testicles fully dropped etc.

So if you have a rescue there getting an already neutered male would be probably easiest option.

 

[John Wick]

I will also mention, going to your question "Are the rabbits going to bond?", that bonding rabbits is not an automatic process, where they are put together and work things out to become lifelong partners. I'm sorry if you already know this, and this is repeated information:

Bonding rabbits is typically a formal process involving either yourself or an experienced rabbit bonder having session with the rabbits in neutral territory (space that neither rabbits have ever been to before). Although the rabbits will both be fixed (spayed/neutered), they still have the instinct to be potentially aggressive towards other rabbits in their territory, as well as show dominance. This can be through fights, chasing, and other negative behaviors. Before getting another rabbit, make sure to read more about the process of rabbit bonding. There is some good overview information here: https://www.binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/9/PID/940/Default.aspx

 

[A & B]

Honestly, if you think your current female is happy and content with you I don't see the need to get another.

I tried to get my male a girlfriend to improve his quality of life. Two females later, he still doesn't have a girlfriend. Now instead of having complete free roam, he is in a cage half the day which he doesn't enjoy so the female gets time outside of the cage too. Bugs has been aggressive towards Evie when he's never been aggressive before. I'm seeing a completely different bunny and I miss the old him. I wish I didn't get him a friend if I'm being completely honest. He's gotten hurt during fights and our bond has been pretty much nonexistent since getting another. He gave me a single lick after I pet him for half an hour when he would completely groom my face whenever he got the chance.

Bonding is difficult and puts a lot of extra stress both the bunnies and us humans. It's difficult and I can't imagine if my bunnies were intact. I would say it's probably not a great idea for you to get another. If you have the space to keep them seperate if they refuse to bond (which is very likely), then I would say go for it.

I've attached pictures of Bugs with the two females we've tried to bond him with. The mini rex is our current female after we did an exchange with the rescue.

 

[Anna R.]

I have two sets of unspayed females that I bonded with no issues. I really think it depends on how much time you are willing to put into the bonding. Both of mine went pretty smoothly, but, it took a few months for each set. But, it can be done.

 

[Watermelons]

No. Time does not guarantee they will bond. They may never bond. Nobody can guarantee if you get another, regardless of the sex or fixed status, that they will bond.

But aside from the bonding if you cannot afford to spay them what will you do when one of the two has an emergency and needs to see the vet? Thats twice the bunny that might have an expensive vet visit. So if money is a factor then stick with one. They dont NEED a mate.

 

[Popsicles]

Exactly my thoughts, if you can’t afford a spay you can’t afford sick bunnies, so save your money and keep it aside for your current bunny in case of emergency.

 

[Anna R.]

I totally agree. There is no guarantee they will bond, even if they are both spayed or neutered. If you even have a doubt about it, don't do it. I had a single bunny for 10 years and she was fine all by herself. They tend to bond more with you when they are alone. Plus, as mentioned the vet bills can really grow with the more bunnies you have. Plus, food and toys etc. it can get costly when you add another. If money is an issue, stick with one.

 

[zuppa]

I have two sets of unspayed females that I bonded with no issues. I really think it depends on how much time you are willing to put into the bonding. Both of mine went pretty smoothly, but, it took a few months for each set. But, it can be done.

Well done to you! I've heard that breeders sometimes bond mother with one of her daughters because they need them all intact and it works. I have two unspayed females myself they are still young and I have a plan on spaying one of them because she was very territorial and even aggressive towards me as she came from bad family and was defensive, but I was delaying as there were so much stories on this site about people lost their rabbits during neutering/spaying it's not uncommon and sounds horrible so I keep delaying and honestly Smokey who was always a pain is about 8 months now and she's getting better I am really happy she stopped biting and she's generally much much better now so I am thinking of trying bonding them without spaying, maybe a few more months to see more progress for Smokey.

As others said there's no guarantee they will bond and it is amazing how much patience and effort people putting into this bonding trying to find right pair for their rabbit, and how painful it can be, but it's life and if somebody had bad experience it doesn't mean you automatically will have bad experience so no need to give up.

Of course it was very smart of OP to come here and ask people before getting another rabbit and I hope she can use our experience and make her own decision. I wish I knew about this forum before I got my first bunny )
But making mistakes was (and is) great, very educating also you can always ask here or share your problems too.
Nice place to be.