I have had Bing for a year and a half now. He is nuetered, potty trained and mostly behaves himself. (He likes to test everything at least onces with his teeth, not limited to the pretty new shoes that were on my feet. ) I have him in a setup that's about 20 square feet with places to hide and jump and the works. I really really really want to get him a friend. SO BADLY! My concern is that I will not be financially able to take care of to rabbits. Bing has a policy with VPI and the new guy would have to have one too. It would be twice as much hay to purchase (and Bing is a hay eating machine to begin with!). It would be more food and veggies. And do I even have enough room for two? There is a great place nearby that has already okay-ed me taking Bing to meet with other rabbits to see who he fits the best with before I adopt one. I had a friend who interned there and she loved the place.

What have you other bunny owners experienced with a change like this? How much financial increase did you see? And did you have to greatly expand the living environment? Were your original bunnies happier for having a friend to always cuddle with?

 

Well, twice the food, twice the litter, twice the vet bills... it can add up. Definitely make sure you are comfortable with added expense before going through with it. If you are, then go ahead

I think as far as everyday expenses, it's not that much...it's usually those unexpected vet bills that seem to add up. And I do mean add up.

But the obvious as MB states are twice the amount for litter, veggies, cleaning supplies...those are things that you can expect, the vet bills, not so much....but having VPI will certainly help with that.

In my case, getting a second caused more vet bills. Otto has never been sick, but Hannah has had her teeth clipped and has needed to visit the vet more often. That can happen with any rabbit, but it is a lot more money even to take them for a standard exam (where I live that's $90 per rabbit - quite an increase to pay double!) I don't use insurance because I find it cheaper to just have some money put aside.

The veggies are much more expensive. I now spend at least $10 a week on veggies for two, up to $15 depending on where I shop.

I don't find that hay and pellets really cost me more since I buy hay in bulk and they hardly eat any pellets.

Their living space is the same size that Otto's was as a single bunny - 4'x8' - so that wasn't a change, though having to rearrange everything while they were separate was hard.

Basically it's what you would expect - vet care and food does cost twice as much and you might want to make a bigger habitat. At first having a second was hard - bonding was fairly easy, but they still got into tiffs after a month of living together so I was a bit stressed about their situation for months. Now I love having two. Otto doesn't really seem happier, though he likes having a friend. I think Hannah really needed a friend and she is so much more relaxed.

Those are all really great point. Elrohwen, I appreciate you sharing your experiences with me. I want the best for Bing and, hopefully in the future, whoever he picks as a friend. I hope to do it one day soon, but as some of you know, I've been thinking about this for almost a year. Any other input is welcome!