unbonded bunny need a new friend?

[evolve77]

Hi

So, a few days ago we had to put our 18 month old Popcorn down he had an abscessed molar. He was a neutered male owned by my 9 yo daughter. His brother Peanut is owned by my 12 yo daughter. The intention when we got them at about 8 weeks was that they would be companions to each other. This worked fine for a little while... Unfortunately they started to fight just before we could get them fixed at 4 months so we put them in different cages as the fighting distressed the kids and would wake us up at night. After they got fixed we tried putting them back together but they would stake each other out and start to fight. We would seperate them immediately. So they have basically led seperate lives for more than a year in cages next to each other but their outside time was always one at a time. They would sniff each other or put their bottom up to the others cage sometimes but otherwise seem to ignore each other.

Anyway - in this situation of an unbonded rabbit - should we get another or will he never bond properly?

Thanks in advance for your answers, Donna

 

[Augustus&HazelGrace]

Think of it as your kids. Would they like it if you picked out their friends that they had to live with for the rest of their lives? I don't think they would. This is why you should, 1. You know Peanut is fixed so step one check. 2. Go to a local rabbit rescue or shelter and ask if you can do bunny speed dating so he can choose who he wants to bond with. All of the rabbits at the rescue should be spayed/neutered. You can pick out ones that you like at first and then put them in with him to see if he likes them or not. Keep in mind Male/Female bonds are easiest, male/male and female/female are harder but not impossible 3. After he picks out one he likes then go home and begin the bonding process, but a great idea would be to have them ride side by side together in the car ride home this is called stress bonding.

 

[Blue eyes]

A rabbit that doesn't get along with one rabbit may very well get along with another. I've had a female who rejected 3 male rabbits before finally deciding she liked a particular male. They can be that picky.

You were right to separate the two males you had when they were fighting. Rabbit fights can cause serious injury and even death. It's never advised to let two rabbits "fight it out," so you did the right thing to separate them.

Whether to get another rabbit or not is up to you. It usually isn't necessary for indoor rabbits if they are getting attention and exercise. There is the occasional rabbit that seems to really need a companion, but many can be content as single rabbits.

If you do decide to get a 2nd rabbit, first read all you can about bonding rabbits. It is a process and there are no guarantees that a particular bond will work. That is why (as Augustus suggested) it is advisable to work with a rabbit rescue (different than generic shelter). They work with rabbit owners to ensure you wind up with a compatible bond. If one rabbit refuses to get along with yours, they typically allow an exchange.

The bonding process can vary from extremely difficult to seemingly effortless. It totally depends on the individual rabbits. But it is critical for you to know what to watch out for and how to go about it. That is why read, read, read is advised. Click here for a start.

Ultimately, though, it is up to you as to whether or not to get a 2nd.