Choosing a new bunny?

[Irina]

Hello. I am currently considering getting another bunny to add to my two, Shadow and Butterscotch. Both fixed, 5 months old, were going to be bonded in a few weeks as Shadow was just spayed 11 days ago. I have always wanted three bunnies, and thought I had it all until my little Tofu died unexpectedly last week. I had initially decided to put off getting another now, in hopes of bonding my two without having to wait to sterilize + 4-6 weeks a newcomer. However, Butterscotch (Tofu’d bonded mate) seems to be doing fine, and is happy grooming Shadow through their pen, so I am now reconsidering. Unfortunately, the local shelter dies not have any rabbits in need of homes- they tell me they don’t often get bunnies. There is a lovely little guy at the pet store that stole my heart (I was just in buying hay… And I don’t know why I even looked because the conditions in pet stores always make me sad…). He is about 4 months and could be neutered pretty much right away. However, there is also a 2 year old doe that is being retired from breeding. She is apparently lovely with other rabbits as well as people. The breeder says she has a very docile and playful personality. So my questions are: what are the pros and cons of getting a rabbit who is
a) older than mine?
b) from a breeder?

Older means the personality is already known, but perhaps more set in her ways? Will being older make her automatically the dominant one? Both of mine are fairly submissive I think.

Does being a breeding bunny mean she is more used to other rabbits? Does the fact that she has had a few litters mean she is less at risk for reproductive cancers?

I know there is no way to know which bun will
Get along with which- I just want to know if people have had any experience getting an older bunny (I mean not a kit) from a breeder and how it went?!

Thank you.

[MoveDiagonally]

Did they mention a reason for her retirement? Is this the same person you got Shadow and Butterscotch from?

Age doesn’t seem to reflect dominance or submission. Dexter and Penny are older than Monty but Monty was the boss of my trio. I’m hoping that Monty stays the boss but Helo or Inara (much younger than the trio) could claim that place… But I hope not because they’re not responsible enough, imo! If I remember correctly Tanlover’s youngest rabbit, Nora, is the boss of her quintet. So personality seems to be the only thing that dictates rank.

[Irina]

No- they didn’t say why she was being retired. I don’t know anything about breeding rabbits- I guess I assumed that they only breed for a couple of years? I will ask.

I got my other bunnies from a local farm. They didn’t have enough room to keep all of their kits.

This is a breeder about 4 hours from here…

I am conflicted. I really have a hard time seeing animals in pet stores. I feel like I want to save them all! I would love to bring the sweet little guy home tomorrow! However, I wonder if it would be taking more if a chance because he is just a baby and we don’t know his personality. I also worry about what his treatment was to date, and if he is really healthy. I want to minimize any risk of more sick bunnies- the past 6 weeks have been rough! (We also lost two chickens to a sneaky raccoon, and had to euthanize another chicken after unsuccessfully tube feeding/IV fluids for two days… So sad).

I don’t know if it is reasonable to assume that the doe from the breeder may be healthier and easier to handle? Maybe easier to bond because she is known to get along with other rabbits?

P.S. I love the photos of your bunny family!

[BinkyBunny]

This is really a hard call. But it certainly is a plus that the retired bunny is known to get along with other rabbits. Does that mean same sexed rabbits too as many times the challenges can be with rabbits of the same sex. I’d ask the breeder about that…and about what does getting along with other rabbits mean in her case. I mean if she was just being passive during breeding and allowing the mating without a fight or is it that she was housed with other rabbits, females too, and she got a long just fine. Those are two different things….the first one just may be submitting as she is trapped (though some will fight regardless) and the other is truly getting along.
As far as from breeder vs pet store, the one from the pet store also came from a breeder and you can ask where their breeder source was if you want to check them out for any health concerns.

Also would you be okay with the bunnies not getting along. If the trio just didn’t work out?

Keeping my fingers crossed that whatever decision you make it all works out.  Keep us updated!

[Irina]

Thanks BB! I actually emailed the breeder this morning and asked more specific questions regarding why she is being retired, how/with whom she was housed, and what human interaction she had. Will see what they say.

As for the pet store bun- I guess I was more concerned about the trauma of being in a pet store window for 4 weeks, plus being shipped from the breeder (18 hours away), etc. I don’t know if that will make him fearful of people or angry etc. (mind you- he melted in my arms when I held him- but I know that is just because he was in a strange place and so on.

Do you think the doe from the breeder still needs to be spayed? Will she have the same risk if reproductive cancer if she has already had litters? Would she need to be spayed for behavioral/bonding reasons?

Also, how long after I get either bunny could I get them fixed? Should they be in my home for a while before they are done? I am hoping to make a decision this week, and get the procedure done this week as well- unless there is a reason not to spay/neuter so quickly.

Lastly, I would be okay if the trio did not work out- it is not ideal, but I have enough space to do it either way. On that note, from what TL and MD say, most rabbits can be bonded with enough time, effort and patience. So I am hoping it all goes well. Fingers crossed.

[Beka27]

Why do you feel like you have to rush and get another rabbit right now? You could bond your two, let that bond get firmly established, spend time with them, and revisit the topic in a year or two. They will hopefully be with you for 10+ years, so you have all the time in the world to get a third. You might also find that with a pair, they are very trustworthy as they get older and can eventually be 24/7 free roam. I think this is more easily accomplished with two than with three. Maybe hold out for the third rabbit that absolutely steals your heart, that you CANNOT live without. Don’t just get a third (“any bunny”) to fill that void.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

If you get the 2 year old she still needs spaying. Didn’t see anyone answer that

[Irina]

Thanks Beka. I think there are a few reasons, although you make good points, (that have already been floating around in my head). I have always wanted three bunnies. (It was perfect with my three….). So, if I know I want three eventually, And don’t really want to wait a few years, I am debating which is the best way to go about it. I understand that bonding a pair and then adding a third could disrupt the original pair. Perhaps bonding three from the start would make more sense (feel free to tell me otherwise if I am mistaken). I like the idea if having them be similar in age. Where I live, it is rare to find an older bunny to adopt (the one from the breeder is an oddity…), so waiting too much means I cannot have bunnies close in age (maybe that does not matter so much? It just seems to make more sense to me…). As for steeling my heart, the little guy at the pet store did that- I can’t get his little face out of my head! The only reason I was debating whether to get him or not was because of concerns regarding the health if bunnies (or any animals) from pet stores. Lastly, Tofu was my daughter’s and she feels left out now that she does not have one to call her “own”. This would not be a reason to get another on its own of course, it is just another factor.

I have decided not to get the bunny from the breeder, as it turns out she is actually closer to 4 years old, and h&s never been housed with rabbits other than he babies, so there is no advantage I.e.kniwing she will get along with other bunnies.

I am as yet undecided. My heart tells me to go and get my little fluff ball from the pet store and give him a nice home with lots of love. I have the space, time, $ and energy to do it. The ONLY thing holding me back is the off chance that he could get sick and die in short order. As I have said, I have had enough animals being sick/dying- I really don’t want to have to cope with any more if that for a while.

Can anyone think of any other good reasons TO GET or NOT TO GET another furry friend?

I am open to hearing advice from both sides- especially from folks who have two buns, have added a third to their pair, or have bonded three at once.

Thank you!!!

[Irina]

Thank you NBO123.! I figured as much but thought I would ask.

[Kbana]

I tend to agree with Beka. That being said, I got my bun at a pet store. Mostly because I wasn’t educated and didn’t know I could adopt. My bun is the best thing that has ever happened to me. (Don’t tell my husband) LOL. I don’t know if it matters where you get them as far as personality. Health wise, sure. My former two dogs also came from a pet store. Even though we would not go that route again since there are so many animals that need adopting, we have been extremely lucky with all of our pet store animals. My bun is 5 months old so only time will tell more about his long term health. So far so good. He is the sweetest thing and I believe that he is less skittish because he was from a pet store and has already been through some major changes. When I found him they were sawing pipes right beside his pen and he could have cared less. He is a classroom and a house bun so he has two environments and he flops and binkies in both. He loves the interaction in the classroom and has also adapted to the drive back and forth well. He is a hoot at the vet. She calls him Mr. Personality because he just wants to hop all over the exam room. I don’t know anything about bonding bunnies though so others will be more helpful in that area. I know I’ve heard that a buns personality as a single bun isn’t necessarily an indication of how they will be when you try to bond them. Similar to my two dogs. They are the sweetest in the world but put them around another dog and forget about it. We had to keep them separated for most of the time they were together until my older one passed. It was so hard and tiring to do so. This is why I tend to side with Beka on this one. If you have two buns that already get along then enjoy them. A third bun will always be a possibility. Obviously we will support you in whatever you decide.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

The opposite experience I had than kbana. Sally was a pet store bunny and you can’t pick her up AT ALL. And you can only pet her for a little bit before she’s had enough so not very much. She isn’t shy at all, I always almost trip over her because she follows me everywhere and greets me but she prefers I keep my hands to myself. Got Harley from a reputable breeder and I can pick him up without a fight and he loves loves pets. He’ll lay there for hours getting pets if he could. It’s really up to the rabbit personality to determine that one . But also you don’t have to get a third so quickly if you don’t want to. Keep us posted on what you decide!

[NewBunnyOwner123]

I will also say that I lost THREE buns from the pet store in a week of having them. One died unexpectedly she was just at the vet and passed a clean bill of health and the other two seemed off in the beginning. Sally was the only survivor and that’s when i went to the breeder for Harley

[Irina]

Aagghh! You all make great points. My head says it will be easier and less stressful with only my two. My heart wants to bring in my third and give him a good home too….

It will be hard to decide. Thanks for input. Will keep thinking about it and will post whatever decision I make.

[Irina]

NBO123- that is heartbreaking. I am so sorry to hear that. It must have been awful. ?

It is that kind of thing that I am worried about.

Thank you for sharing- even though it must be painful.

[Beka27]

Thank you for the explanation. I agree that we will support whichever route you decide to go. Your buns are obviously very loved and very spoiled and you will offer any rabbit a fantastic home.

As far as the pet store bunny, lots of people have gotten a rabbit from a store. EVERY BUNNY is deserving of a loving home, whether from a breeder, rescue, store, online site, or found abandoned outside. ANY of those rabbits could be 100% healthy for many years… or riddled with health problems from the start. I guess you could say it’s a gamble either way.

If three is your magic number, then search for number three. DO recognize your limitations tho. There will always be another bunny you fall in love with, but as we like to say… even spay/neutered buns tend to “multiply”. It’s easy to go from two bunnies to six or seven without much thought because they are so darn cute! You need to pay attention to your limits regarding space, time, and money. That’s why I had suggested holding out for the bunny you cannot live without.

As far as age… as you know, there is never any guarantee that even rabbits the same age will grow old together. You just had a baby pass away. One of your rabbits may live to be six, one may live to be 12. You just don’t know. So getting a rabbit who is young-ish (between a baby and 4-yrs-old) is a very real possibility.

I have never had three buns, but I’ve had two. I had my single bunny for almost a year before getting our second. I cherished having her as a single bunny because it helped OUR bond. This is why I suggest not rushing.

As far as your daughter, personally I don’t agree with the idea of having “her bunny”, “his bunny”, “my bunny”, etc… but I encourage all the bunnies to be “family bunnies”. Everyone can share in the responsibilities (according to age-appropriateness), with you obviously being the one in charge. I’m not sure of your daughter’s age (you do not have to share this info), but finding a nice way to explain this to her might be helpful.

As far as the pet store bunny, if he is the right one, you will not be able to leave the store without him. Only you can make that decision.

I’m rambling now, so I’ll stop, but keep us updated on what you decide to do.

[Kbana]

Oh NBO, how heartbreaking! I’m so sorry I can’t imagine. I am always in fear of my guy getting sick but I know that can happen with any bunny. Beka, I have to say, I really value your insight. You are always so helpful.
Irina, you can’t make a wrong decision. The decision you make will be the right one for you and your family. Keep us posted!

[Irina]

Oh Beka! I just don’t know. I am doing everything in my power to stop myself from going to get him today. I want to spend more time thinking about it. Unfortunately, I have always followed my heart more than my head- so I am trying to give my head a chance to weigh in more clearly.

I agree that EVERY bunny deserves a good home, and please do not get me wrong, I have never been reluctant to care for a sick or injured animal- I just don’t feel I have the mental fortitude to do that right NOW.

Time will tell…?!?

[tanlover14]

I had actually encouraged getting the third bunny sooner rather than later IF she knew she was going to shoot for a third in the future. As that sounded like what she wanted to do – I encouraged bonding a trio rather than a double and then adding in later. I think it’s easier to deal with all three at one time as disrupting the bond can be difficult to deal with (for both bonder and bunny). I wouldn’t usually encourage the adding of a third bunny but I feel Irina has definitely shown she cares about her rabbits and understands the commitment and time of having three.

I would DEFINITELY take care to get a breeder female spayed ASAP. The longer she is not – the bigger chance of developing uterine cancer. I’m curious as to what the breeder said about retiring her – I believe most breeder females are retired around 4. She may have not taken on the role of a momma very well though.

I think I would discourage the pet store bunny (if he is in bad conditions). We spent a few hundred after making the impulse buy to get Nora out of the conditions she was in. Would I trade Nora for any other rabbit in the world? No. But we have also had to deal with some health issues for her and there were a few nights in the beginning that we weren’t so sure she was going to be okay. She was malnourished and a total mess. And I think my boyfriend and I are pretty convinced shes pretty deaf. not positive as we haven’t had tests done (do they have tests for that?) to see. But she doesn’t react to things at all really (noise-wise). She waits for the other bunnies to react and then she does.

[Irina]

TL14…. I so want to get my little guy. You seem to understand where I am coming from with my third. Unfortunately the pet store bunny is the sweetest little bun- I know there may be health problems and every part of my rational mind id saying “don’t”…
But my heart is saying “go save him now…”

[tanlover14]

I know the horrible tug… keep in mind, Irina, you cannot save them all. And you mentally have to be able to care for and give this little guy whatever he needs to survive – whether it be nothing or a lot. I would be a hypocrite if I said not to get him as that’s how I ended up with Nora but there will ALWAYS be a bunny you want to save, believe me… this is how I ended up with Five!

Personally, I think you should make a pros and cons list and see what happens. No one will judge you if you get him, certainly not me. But you have to be mentally prepared that he MAY need urgent vet care or MAY need more help than you mentally may be able to give. There are always steps you can take that don’t include getting him yourself – like rescuing. We had Nora admitted into a rescue and fostered her until we could make a permanent decision about whether to keep her in our family. We couldn’t leave her – but we also had no way to determine that quickly if it was really the right thing to do.

[Irina]

TL- I know what you are saying. Unfortunately, I live in a pretty smallish area and there are no rescues. I think I am going to put it on hold for now, work on bonding my two in a couple if weeks, and perhaps revisit in the spring, or when the right bunny comes my way. This little guy may have been the right bunny at the wrong time. I am struggling to be ok with leaving him there- but if he were to be sick, I don’t know if I, or my poor children (who have seen too much animal death these past few months), would handle it well. It is quite emotionally draining. The sensible thing is to wait… For now.

Thank you to everyone who helped by giving me different perspectives! I will go home and cuddle my two now!

[jerseygirl]

Posted By tanlover14 on 10/27/2013 01:12 PM

I would DEFINITELY take care to get a breeder female spayed ASAP. The longer she is not – the bigger chance of developing uterine cancer. I’m curious as to what the breeder said about retiring her – I believe most breeder females are retired around 4. She may have not taken on the role of a momma very well though.

Yes, they’re commonly retired at 3-4yrs of age.
Because :
-Reduced litter sizes
-less success being impregnated (less fertile)
-more complications in pregnancy and birthing (such at stillbirths or retained fetuses).
-neglectful of kits once born.

These ALL happen to be early signs of uterine cancers.
In my opinion, both bred Does and non breeding ones are equally at risk, especially at age 3 onwards.
So ditto, Yes spay!

[MoveDiagonally]

I think you made a great decision.  Spend some time with Shadow and Butterscotch and give your family time to mentally/emotionally recover from everything you’ve all been through recently with your pets. I intended on getting ONE rabbit and ended up with five so I understand the pull to “save them all”.

[Author]

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