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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.
› Forum › THE LOUNGE › Do we have any senior rabbits (over 6 y.o.)
If so, please post their picture if you have one.
We hear so much about the babies, but now it’s time to hear about our senior rabbits!
Also tell us their stories – how long have they owned you? Did you get them as babies, adults or seniors and where. And anything else you want to share – we want to know.
Let’s celebrate our rabbits in their Golden Years.
No Cotton is 3 I am sure there are several people here who do have mature and senior buns
Carrera, brown mini rex, is approaching her 8th birthday and still as rotten as ever. She is our first rabbit and we got her from Jacks Aquarium & Pets before we knew they even adopted rabbits anywhere. She is the queen of the house always bossing everyone around. She has done very well health-wise. She every once in awhile has bouts of gas but we have learned what not to feed her to keep this at bay.
Pookie, our 2.5lb dwarf, is right behind Carrera in age at 7 years old. She is a little body full of rabbitude. She is very skittish and always has been. We got her a yr after Carrera from the same petstore as a friend but that just never worked out. As long as she knows she isnt gonna be picked up she will let us pet her for just a few moments. Sometimes when Im really sick she will pop up on the couch and hang out w/ me but doesnt want to be touched. Her and Carrera fought forever to be the alpha bunny but Carrera definitely won that battle. Pookie still tries to boss the boys around though. lol
My husband and I have talked how we just did everything wrong you can do wrong w/ rabbits when we first had the bunnies. We have learned so much since that first time we brought them home. My husband is so smitten w/ them. I remember once when Carrera was a baby and my husband was gone. Carrera was able to sqeeze behind the fridge and found a nice warm place to sleep. I couldnt find her and was upset and crying. I made him come home from wherever he was and he had to move the fridge to get to her. She was back there sound asleep while I was crying over her! lol
I will find some new pics. All I have on the computer is really old ones.
Hedi, you should update your signature.. you’re 2 years behind
Lol… she is behind!
Max isn’t quite a senior yet… I don’t think. I’ll have to look back thru my info to remind myself how old the rescue said he was. Like with any of our rescue bunnies, it’s always our best guess. I’m thinking he’s about 5 tho.
Jack isn’t quite a senior yet (I think). He is turning six in a month or so. I have always wondered: Do rabbits get grey/white streaks in their fur? Jack has some, and I cannot figure out if it is due to age or if he is just born with it.
He is very different from the others. The others have so much energy and do lots of binkies and run around the apartment in high speed – Jack just sits there and looks at them. He just wants some cuddles, that’s all. I’m bringing him to the vet once a month (or yes, got a new appointment on Monday), so I’m not sure he is enjoying his retirement at my place, but at least he has the company of other bunnies, which he absolutely loves.
It’s Jack to the right looking into the basket.
Karla- I’ve noticed more white/gray hair in Warri too! His fur has definitely becoming more salt and peppery as he’s gotten older.
Kay turned 6 last month.
I have had her for 2 years. She was at the shelter for about 2 years before that. She met Winston about 1 year after getting there. I don’t know anything about her pre-shelter days.
She does not act “senior” She is still a silly girl. She likes to throw toys in her water bowl!!
I think Maryann is a senior too!
Maryann is 8 years old. Last visit to the doctor, after all of her checkup including examining her teeth, Dr. Harvey said that if she was brought off of the street, she would have estimated her age at 2.
Wooo hoo! Yay for healthy bunnies!
Leroy is about 2… when I got him last July they estimated him at about a year and a half, but who knows…
Mark, now that you said what your vet said about guessing Maryann’s age… I wonder if Leroy is much older than I was told! I wasn’t told much about Leroy except that he was an owner surrender, but who knows if the owner told the truth about Leroy’s history when they dropped him off… Leroy doesn’t binky or zoom nearly as much as Jeannie, and I think he’s slowed down or mellowed out even since I’ve adopted him… I thought it was just his personaility to loaf around but after reading your comment about Maryann, I got a horrible feeling that Leroy is like 12 years old and about to die!
Jeannie was picked up as a stray last fall… she was obviously a baby when they found her – she was teeny tiny and grew bigger in her foster home So she’s less than a year old.
Well first off, don’t think about the age of a rabbit equalling to how much longer they have. With the delicate natures of bunnies, we could lose them any day. Just enjoy every day with them.
Next, it would require a very well established eating and health diet along with constant medical checkups in order to keep a bun’s teeth as young looking as Maryann’s. She’s the exception to the rule. Actually she’s the exception to many rules. I would only be mildly suprised if when she turned 15, she transformed into some sort of angel/genie and thanked me for the time and even granted me a wish. Of course, with her, the wish would come with a lot of strings attached but still, it would only cause me to cock one eyebrow at the transformation.
Some rabbits are just big loafers. Dono is one and his age is certain at 2.5 years as they actually got him in a litter. He’s a netherland/dutch dwarf mix and you’d expect him to be full of energy but he just likes to sit around and perfect his bunny loaf.
Lol, thanks Markbun!
Here are my seniors – the pair is Peaches and Peppermint – they are both Dutches – I think, but I’m not 100% sure, that Peaches is Peppermint’s mom. They were strays that someone caught. I got them in November 2003.
Toffee is the agouti rabbit, she was Twizzler’s (who passed away) mate. She came from the Forney Road Animal Shelter in Dallas (this shelter is now closed) in April 2003. I’m not entirely sure how old they were but the shelter workers said that the owners told them they were 6 months old but there is no way they were that young, they were fully grown – it’s not unusual for people to stretch the truth when they surrender their animals.
Mango who is actually a gray and white Dutch (not black and white – I think I photoshopped the picture too dark), came to me in January 2003. He was a stray that someone found in a dog’s mouth. He was a baby then. He’s a grumpy thumpy little rabbit too.
I don’t really consider them blown seniors yet but The House Rabbit Society lists any rabbit over 6 as a senior.
I also have Pepe, but I got him in May 2005 and I think he was a young boy then, so he’s my youngest rabbit. He’s the one in my avatar.
What nice rabbits and pictures, Sarita. The Dutches look identical, do they? Your hay also is excellent, I can just tell by the photo. I can see that they Leith condo is huge! Love the ramps! That’s what mine need.
Mango was found in a dog’s mouth? Was he injured?
Hahaha, that’s a great picture of Mango – I love how he has a big mouthful of hay!
Thanks Petzy. Actually Peaches is black and white and Peppermint is kind of a agouti brownish and white – his dark color is ticked, very different – he may also be a mix. The condo is perfect for them because they are on the smaller side and it’s 3 stories so they have plenty of room. I call them my ostrich rabbits because they try to hide when anyone they don’t know comes in. They don’t really trust people. That photo of them is pretty indicative of how they lounge during the day. Peppermint is on top and Peaches is inside. If Peaches is on top and Peppermint wants there, he let’s her know, very subtle, he doesn’t shove her or anything but she knows.
I think he was fine physically – the lady that rescued him fostered him for a few months before he came to me. She said she did hear him scream though. Could be the reason he’s such a grumpy dude now. He’s an extremely vocal rabbit – he snores, he smacks when he eats.
These photos are a few years old, I don’t have any recent ones, but they look exactly the same. That is the 2nd cut timothy from American Pet Diner – if I cannot get the KMS 3rd cut this is the only other one I will purchase.
babybun was in her 9th year when she crossed the bridge. i had her into the specialist for her runny eyes and the vet commented about how excellent her teeth were. wierd. i don’t think he would have guessed her at 2 like maryann but considering her health problems everyone was surprised. she was a tough bun bun <3
I just want to add Spockie to the list, though he’s over the bridge now, too. He was 8. I loved his senior years, even when he got disabled in his back legs. He was a very, very sweet bunny who loved everyone. He got more squishy and cuddly when he was older. He always let me carry him around. but he did his share of binkies. He just mellowed in older age. He traveled really well, too. Very easily adjusted to our changes from MA to FL, and to apartment life.
My buns are far from seniors, but I know the time is just going to fly.
RabbitPam- Squishy..awe. I hope Nix will be like that..what kind of rabbit was he?
Karla- Those basket pictures are adorable! I want three cute bonded bunnies
Sarita- Are those cat condos bad for buns to chew on? I got one and Marlee had no interest, but Nixie only wanted to chew it so I returned it. I wasn’t sure that it was ok?
Kiley, I think with anything it just depends on the rabbit. My rabbits aren’t chewers any longer but they have chewed it up a little but no ingestion just digging I think and they are fine. I have a friend who has a pair that loves their kitty condo as well.
I think I’m going to wait til Nix is a little older and mellower and try it out again. She loved jumping into the second story.
This thread is relavant to my interests. I’m adopting an eight year old boy in the very near future.
I’ll post pics when he comes home. =)
My frist bun was Nibbles (dwarf mix), my Dad brought her home for me when I was 8. She ended up going to college with me, living for 11.5 years!
When I first got her, I read bunny books, but those were more of the 4-H show style that never mentioned about the type of hay and pellet. I am pretty sure she got 100% unlimited alfalfa pellets her whole life and some alfalfa hay (a happy bun you say!). I did give her veggies but no where near the 2-3 C daily recommended. She was somewhat litterbox trained but was not spayed and by year 9 and 10 she couldn’t be as strict with her habbits. My stingy parents said our pets where “Christian scientists” and didn’t believe in going to the vet (I tried that excuse when I had to go the doctors, didn’t work). Nibbles went to the vet once (my grandma took her for me because she had rubbed her chin raw) before she was 9. Her last few years I was old enough to pay for the vet bill and I took her once a year for checkups. Now I look back and I’m surprised she lived so long after reading about how wrong I raised her, but I loved her dearly and took her everywhere with me (“Daddy Nibbles wants to come too!”).
Cambridge, owning an older rabbit is quite a pleasure. They are so laid back and chill. I use to take Nibbles with me to the park and just leave her napping under a tree while I studied, no pen no leash. She would let anyone pet her, in fact all you had to do was touch her and she would flop!
Pepper is around 5 we think but with the chronic pasteurella I have to face the fact that she might not live as long as some buns. She’s got scarring in her sinuses and a depressed immune system so even with the best of care she could go down very quickly. I worry about that sometimes.
WendyZski – you have given Pepper a great life. No matter how much longer you have her, she is loved.
Iwayin – Sounds like Nibbles was a very special Bunny! She had to be healthy to live so long.
Cambriidge – How awesome you are getting an older bun!! Can’t wait to hear more about him.
Here is hoping all of us end up with very senior buns!!!
Posted By Sarita on 03/25/2010 11:23 AM
The condo is perfect for them because they are on the smaller side and it’s 3 stories so they have plenty of room.
the Leith condo is Product Pick of the Week on Bunspace right now
AWwww Lovely elderly buns Really so sweet
I have two-though other then the proteins in his eye-Noot does not look a day over six months-he’s stunning-his eyes are bright, beautiful long lashes and gorgeous shiny coat. So much energy and charisma. Chuck of course looks older then he is but he’s eating like ‘a starving goat’ and has finished shedding and displaying his healthy shiny coat
Chuck -8/9 and Noot-9/10. I’ve not had them their whole lives, as all but one of my five; they were adopted. Chuck I’ve had two years and Noot just over one. Sorry-I do have updated photo’s (just took a ton tonight!) but they aren’t uploaded yet and my internet is being rubbish so here are some of the two of them, that were taken a while back.
Actually-here is the first night they met :
That “night they met” pic still puts a big smile on my face. Such an awesome pairing.
<3 Chuck and Noot, they are just awesome.
That night was insane. The volunteers told me Noots poops were small and he wasn’t eating and I weighed him-planning to get him up-and realized he was on a hunger strike. When I became honest with myself I knew he’d pass if I didn’t bring him home-his poops were mouse size (but round of course).I knew Dave was going to kill me so I phoned while he was napping-and the convo mildly insinuated that Noot was coming home for a bit-like all the others came home for a bit….. I’d been syringe feeding him, brought him home for Chuck -plopped them on the couch together-Noot started eating and they snuggled together. It was beyond moving. The boogers as I speak are snacking on the same kale leaf-match made in heaven.
It’s like Noot knew Chuck needed him, and was protesting not being there
SENIOR POWER!
I love this thread because it’s one of my favorite subjects. (Since Jack & Viv are both seniors) I love Seniors because, in my case, even though they may have more health issues, they are less destructive, more cuddly, and yet still have enough spunk to entertain. (every evening they run around the house with each other before settling into their bunny room for the night) I can’t believe Jack has arthritis in his spine and right foot – you’d never know it with the way he runs around!
Okay so here is info on my current bunnies:
JACK
(estimated 8 years old)
This photo is of the first time I saw him at Animal Care & Control in March of 2004 “Jack” was the name he had at ACC (so I’m thinking, since he was an owner surrender, it’s the name his original owner had given him). He had been housed in the garage, and had fathered at least one litter before he was surrendered. He had also been turned in with mate who had been adopted out (they don’t separate bonded pairs anymore) So how I met Jack —I was volunteering for SaveABunny at the time and was taking pictures for SaveABunny to post on their website—SaveABunny doesn’t just promote their own bunnies, they help many of the local shelters too! Anyway, here he is at ACC. He was a scared bunny and he wasn’t too sure of me at all! He scared people with his lunging and growls, but for some reason I just loved him right away and discovered he bluffed most of the time. He never bit me. SaveABunny decided to take him in, but he was such a tyrant, (would bite too) they were considering that he may be better at a sanctuary where he could be happy even if he didn’t like people. But I really wanted to try more with him, so I agreed to Foster him to see if I could socialize him.
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Well, I just loved him and even when his manners improved enough to be adopted out, I couldn’t let him go. So after a few months of fostering, I adopted him June 2004, and he’s been with me ever since. |
Though he can still be a bluffer, this other mellow side is more how I know him: (from 2006 - he had been with me for 2 years by the time this video was taken)
He and Rucy were mates until she passed away last year. (I adopted Rucy in 2002 and she was estimated to be a couple of years at the time I adopted her)
VIVIAN
Age unknown – but estimate around 7 or 8
I adopted Vivian as a companion for Jack after Rucy died. He went bunny dating at SaveABunny and Vivian was the only one of the dates that put up with his rude behaviors. She wasn’t a pushover, but she wouldn’t attack him, and though it took some stress (on me) and time to bond them, they are a great pair now!
This Photo was Vivian’s Official Adoption Photo taken by SaveABunny. Though it looks adorable, according to Marcy, Vivian is threatening the camera with some divatude, and lunged closer — made for an adorable shot though!
Her background is unknown as she was picked up as a stray by Marin Humane Society, and she was a snarky gal, but SaveABunny saw something in her too, and took her in. She also was rough on volunteers and scared them a bit. Not the easiest gal to adopt out, so she stayed at the rescue for 2 years, but she did get some good socializing and loving by the owners of SAB.
Then here I come with my strong-willed bunny Jack who needs a friend, and now it seems they are similar in the fact that they are big bluffers. Though, like Rucy, Vivian will bite those who act timid with her as Steve found out when he very scaredy-cat like tried to move her from one place to another. And at her first vet visit with me, she tried to bite the vet, however, now, she doesn’t do that anymore. She’s really mellowed out, but I don’t yet trust her with people she doesn’t know.
But once you get to know her, she’s VERY sweet, and loves to hang out and cuddle. She’s very smart and funny, plus she knows her name and comes running over for affection. She’s got alot of energy for an older bunny and though the estimate is 7 or 8, her teeth are very dark yellow – they look older than Jack’s, but that could just be the way her teeth are. I hope she’s not like 9 or 10, because I am completely smitten with her and I just don’t want her to be that old yet.
Well good grief….as you can tell I can talk all day about my Senior Bunnies.
Jack is =oh my-I love him. That story about him and the mirror still churns my heart {{Jack}}}
lol Oops- I really do need to update my profile.
It is funny with little Pookie. She is 2.5lb and so full of energy. And of course we just swoon over her because of how small and cute she is. Even her nose and mouth are crooked which just adds to her cuteness. So we are constantly making a fuss over how cute of a baby or little girl she is. I just know she is just cussing us out in that head of hers- how dare we call her a baby! She is too old for that nonsense.
Carrera completely changed after we had her fixed when she was 4yo. She is much more reserved and if you come into her space when you arent invited she lunges. If she does get her mouth on you she never bites. She always makes a conscious effort not to truely hurt any of us. Sometimes when I give her a banana slice she will lick the excess off my fingers and has learned over the years how to do that w/o using her teeth. (Unlike Cooper who thinks he should bite off the tip of my finger!) She is just too smart for her own good. She is extremely smart and knows exactly what she is doing- whether its demanding the others bow to her in submission, or sitting in the middle of the kitchen refusing to move until she gets her naner out of the fridge. lol During the day she comes up and hangs out in her Cottage in the dining room and knows we will forget and leave her out. Although I DO know she is out and frequently leave her to the bunny proofed rooms during the day. But she thinks she has pulled a fast one over on us. lol
A brat or not I just cant help but adore her. Even my MIL loves Carrera the best and sees her the least of the rest because we don’t make Carrera travel anymore unless we have to.
Anymore seniors out there?
That is the night they met and they are two boys? Wow, I did not think that was possible!
Posted By wendyzski on 03/25/2010 09:02 PM
Pepper is around 5 we think but with the chronic pasteurella I have to face the fact that she might not live as long as some buns. She’s got scarring in her sinuses and a depressed immune system so even with the best of care she could go down very quickly. I worry about that sometimes.
My PitStop has the same thing! He has leaky gookie eyes most of the time, sometimes his nose gets that way to, and he can get sneezy (he was SO sneezy when I took him in). Antibiotics only helps so much when it get’s bad. I give him a homeopathic immune booster when I feel he needs it, that remedy has been a big help with my guys.
Pitstops age is unknown, but we are sure he is a Senior, mind you he doesn’t think so
My Rex, Bo is going to be 7 years old this year. I’ve had him for 4 years, he was neutered at 3.5 years old the day i took him in, and then has GI Stasis after surgery (what a scare).
My Jersey Wooley is probably 7 as well, and his partner Bubba ,my mini lop cross is 6 this year.
A friend of mine met a lady who had a 18 year old bunny! That’s amazing!
Hello Everyone. I’m new to this forum, so sorry if I mess this up in any way – getting the hang of the editor. Anyhow, it’s nice to hear about the older buns.
My boy Stewie is over 11 years old and going strong. Yesterday he was running circles around my little girl bunny Radar and showing off to her (Spring is definitely on his mind).
He used to be a VERY mean and nasty rabbit – lots and lots of time and patience has made him into a big softie and he’s now even bonded with Radar.
He certainly is showing his age though, he seems more like a little old man in the way he moves – he’s lost a bit of muscle mass and seems to be getting more arthritic as time goes on. He doesn’t come out of his cage on some rainy days. He definitley has cataracts now too.
Despite all the normal aging maladies, he has an outstanding quality of life still and I think he’s going for many more years to come.
I think longevity is partially genetic – Stewie hasn’t had a medical issue in his life – VERY healthy bunny. My other bunny Radar has been to the vets with life-threatening problems several times in her 4 years so far. I just take every new day with them as a blessing.
Andi and Toni thanks for posting about your seniors.
Toni, Stewie is so darn cute! That’s a great story and it’s good to hear he’s still going strong at his age – maybe having a young rabbit around is help keeping him going longer.
Feets! *tickle tickle* Welcome to you and your elderly little man Toni
OMG I’ve had Rupert 3 years at 1-2 years old, Kahlua is almost four…ALL are almost seniors
› Forum › THE LOUNGE › Do we have any senior rabbits (over 6 y.o.)