Bonding my three legged rabbit

[Shannon25]

My story is quite lengthy but I need some advice on my rabbit. I have a five year old mini lop, female, spayed. She has been the only rabbit that whole time but I think she is getting lonely. I’ve been considering adopting a companion for her. She has always been extremely loving with me and was never afraid of my cat or 85 pound boxer. She has always been pretty fearless. However, while I was out one day about 8 months ago she somehow broke her front leg. I don’t know how. She was in her cage. Alone. No one else in my family went into my room where she was. There’s nothing high to fall from. Long story short the vet tried but couldn’t fix the break and removed her leg. She does well without it but I think lost a little confidence. Will this make her more aggressive if I try to introduce another rabbit? I also need some advice on the easiest rabbit to try and bond her with. I’ve read a male would be best. Does age matter? Should he be neutered as well? Does size matter? Thank you for reading my story!

[Sarita]

Hi Shannon – I’m going to move this post to the rabbit bonding section.

[MoveDiagonally]

Rabbits can live happy lives with only their human companions. They don’t need bunny companions. I think if you’re going to get a second rabbit is should be because you want one and not because you think your rabbit needs a friend. A second rabbit means more expenses, more space (minimum recommended cage size for 2 rabbits is 4′ X 4′), more of your time, ect…

If you want another rabbit and you have the time, money, and space for one then I would do bunny speed dating at a rescue. This is where you can have her meet many rabbits before adopting them and pick the one that she gets a long with well. This is a way of finding a compatible rabbit for your bunny and would give you the best chance at an easy bond. The other rabbit would need to be spayed/neutered and gender doesn’t matter.

I would also take a moment and read the Bonding Info on this page:
https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/9/PID/940/Default.aspx

[Beka27]

I agree with everything MoveDiagonally said!

I don’t think her missing a leg should affect the bonding in any way. How is her mobility?

If anything, a bonded mate might be beneficial when it comes to grooming, and reaching some areas she can’t get to as easily.

I agree that bunny dates at a rescue (with adult rabbits who are already fixed) is the best idea. Sex doesn’t matter too much, but generally a male/female pair is the easiest, followed by male/male, and then female/female. I would do bunny dates with neutered males first and see how it goes.

As far as age, I would recommend looking for an adult rabbit b/c even a neutered “teenager” is going to be more rambunctious. You don’t have to go for someone her age, but maybe 2-3 years old?

It’s very exciting to get a new bun! Keep us posted!

[Shannon25]

Thank you for your help! I have read a lot about bonding rabbits but wanted some personal feedback to my specific situation. I’ve read about speed dating but I’ve been having a hard time finding any rabbits for adoption in my area. Any ideas where I can find a rescue nearby? I’ve checked petfinder for available rabbits and rescues but the closest are still about an hour away from me and only have one or two rabbits it seems.

P.s. My main priority is what is best for her. I would love a second rabbit but if it didn’t make her life better I’m fine without a second. I just wanted some advice on whether or not to proceed and how to do so.

To Beka, she’s a little clumsy at times but she moves around well. She’s still pretty fast and doesn’t seem to notice it’s missing. She does have some trouble trying to clean the side of her face and ear on the side with the missing leg however.

[Sarita]

I’ve had a friend who bonded a tripod with 2 other rabbits – their rabbit though lost a back leg not a front leg and she was younger and feisty which made it a challenge.

As for rescues, where are you located?

[Beka27]

First off, I personally don’t think of an hour drive as being far at all. We drove 90 minutes to adopt our lop. As long as you have transportation, I wouldn’t rule that out.

Have you contacted those rescues that are an hour away? They may also have rabbits in foster homes that might be closer to you, or they may know of other rescues that are closer or have more rabbits to choose from.

If there is a rescue with a rabbit you’re interested in further out (maybe a few hours) don’t hesitate to contact them. Some rescues have networks where they might be able to transport the rabbit to a closer rescue.

[Sarita]

I agree with Beka about the distance – that’s really not far at all in the scheme of things.

[Stickerbunny]

Just because they aren’t on petfinder doesn’t mean they don’t have more if you call and ask. The shelter I got Powder from only had him and one other listed, but when we went there they had so many bunnies! At least ten. They only list on petfinder once a bun has been there X amount of time, since the long term ones need homes most. Other shelters had small pets at times but didn’t list them. So, give the places nearby a call.

[Jesse97]

I think getting your rabbit a companion is always a great idea. I had a single rabbit for almost half a year and then I got a second. The transformation of their lives now that they have each other is so evident. They cuddle, they groom and follow each other around. I do believe that rabbits can be fine with just a human companion but I think there is something different about them having a bunny friend. Plus, you can not be with your rabbit constantly, but another rabbit is always there.
With your situation on grooming, I can see how your rabbit is probable having trouble grooming her ear. They like to pull their ear down with their two front paws and that is obviously difficult for your rabbit in her situation. One of the main things my rabbits groom each other, is their ear. They will groom outside their ears and inside. Its so cute to see them help each other out
Though some rabbits don’t work out in the bonding world, if you want a second rabbit, and you think it would benefit your current rabbit, I would give it a shot.

[Stickerbunny]

Posted By Jesse97 on 08/11/2013 04:03 PM
I think getting your rabbit a companion is always a great idea. I had a single rabbit for almost half a year and then I got a second. The transformation of their lives now that they have each other is so evident. They cuddle, they groom and follow each other around. I do believe that rabbits can be fine with just a human companion but I think there is something different about them having a bunny friend. Plus, you can not be with your rabbit constantly, but another rabbit is always there.
With your situation on grooming, I can see how your rabbit is probable having trouble grooming her ear. They like to pull their ear down with their two front paws and that is obviously difficult for your rabbit in her situation. One of the main things my rabbits groom each other, is their ear. They will groom outside their ears and inside. Its so cute to see them help each other out
Though some rabbits don’t work out in the bonding world, if you want a second rabbit, and you think it would benefit your current rabbit, I would give it a shot.

 

Not all bunny couples groom. My two rarely ever do it, the only time grooming happens is at night Powder is made to groom Stickers head before bed. She will not, ever, groom him. It’s beneath her. Yes, she is a diva. There isn’t much cuddling either, they sleep on different sides of a closet door and lay usually on opposite sides of the room from each other. They like to be in the same room, usually, though even then sometimes they’ll go off and do their own things. So, I really think the benefits of a friend vary by rabbit. Powder for example, lost free roam, lost his freedom to eat in peace (he now takes his food and runs off to a corner to avoid her stealing it), lost his sleeping in my bed and gained a bossy sometimes abusive wifey. But, he loves her and he’d be depressed if I took her away. So, he did gain something, it’s just not obvious.

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