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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.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BONDING Getting a second bunny

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    • Delilah's mommy
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        Delilah is my year old rabbit that is truly my best friend! I lover her outgoing,curious, and sassy personality. I spend a lot of time with her. I am in high school so throughout the day she is kept in a 3 story “condo” I made for her, but throughout the nights she roams around a lot with me. Sadly, next year I am going off to college and cannot take her. I almost went to a different college and not my dream one because at the other I could bring her! I am a mess thinking about leaving her behind even if I will only be 30 min away. My mom loves her and is going to take care of her, but my mom has 3 dogs to take care of also and will not be able to spend as much time with her. I have thought about getting a second bunny before due to the special place in my heart bunnies hold, but not until now have I really decided it may be a good idea. I do not want Delilah to be lonely next year and I am wondering if a friend may be good for her. She gets along really well with my cat and she is very loving towards me, though she can be very independent at times. She has never been around any bunnies though. From the research I have done, the best thing is to go on “dates” and I will probably do that if I decide to get one. However, should I focus on a certain gender, breed, personality? And is there cons to getting another rabbit that I should know about? I would love to get a male rabbit (I would get him fixed), but any suggestions? Sorry for the load of info! I would just love some help! Thank you!! 


      • MoveDiagonally
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          Welcome to BB!

          While of course it’s not ideal, it sounds like you will still be able to see Delilah and it’s awesome that your mom is going to care for her. One thing to keep in mind is that your relationship with your bunny will decline a bit. This is normal because you will be spending less time with her. When you get into a place where you can have her with you again she will likely warm back up to you. I mention this not to make you feel bad but more just to make you aware. We get lots of posts from people that expect their bunnies to act exactly the same when they visit from college. This is rarely the case and I don’t want you to get too disappointed if it happens to you.

          Onto second bunny questions! Bonding can be difficult but with going the bunny date route you have the best chance at an easy bond. If you haven’t checked out BB’s bonding article it outlines the basic process really well:
          https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/9/PID/940/Default.aspx

          Personality is the number one factor. Gender and breed don’t seem to matter as much once when you’re dealing with spayed/neutered rabbits.


        • kcomstoc
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            Honestly since your mom already has to take care of 3 dogs, a cat, and your bunny while you’re gone to college so adding a second bunny is really unfair to your mom. I would delay getting a second bunny until after you’re done with college.


          • Delilah's mommy
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              Yeah my mom is awesome! But yeah I plan on coming home every chance I can to see her, but yeah sadly I have read up on the fact that our relationship will decline a little bit!  But it will only be a year and I will be home weekends & breaks so I hoping she will still know how much I love her! But thank you for the link! 


            • Delilah's mommy
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                And it was my moms idea to get another rabbit so she is totally up to the idea of another! She is the one who passed on the love of animals to me, so she loves a good excuse to get another 


              • kcomstoc
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                  If your mom is on board and you’re coming home on weekends I don’t see why not have another bunny but remember you have to go through a bonding session that could take a couple months plus separate cages/spaces until bonded…just things to keep in mind


                • Delilah's mommy
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                    Hello I am back  I have really started to look into getting bunnies and I think I have actually fallen in love with a little guy. However, he is not yet neutered! I got in contact with all the shelters around me and NO bunnies. None whatsoever! So, I started looking at some breeders I know of and I found a 5 month old Holland lop. So, am I completely crazy for getting one that she doesn’t know and wont be able to meet until after he is neutered?  I kind of like thinking I will have time to let him get used to me before I start the bonding process with Delilah anyways I am concerned though that she will not be able to “pick” her mate. But I was reading MoveDiagonally’s post on bonding your three rabbits and I was wondering if any of them had met yet before you started bonding? Another side note is I would wait a little longer to get another rabbit, but I want the most time as possible before I leave to college next August to get him neutered, him & I bonded, him & Delilah bonded, as well as get him bonded with my mom! So that is my reasoning behind not waiting until the shelters get more rabbits. 

                    Thank you so much for your help in advance! 


                  • Beka27
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                      You don’t have to let them meet beforehand, although it is recommended if you have the option.

                      If you go that route, I’d suggest a vet exam the first week, and schedule the neuter ASAP. At five months, his testicles should be descended and he should be ready for surgery right away.

                      There is a chance that he may spray urine since he’ll be smelling your other bunny, so that’s another reason to get him fixed right away.


                    • MoveDiagonally
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                        There’s always a chance that two rabbits will not bond. Having them choose their bond mate helps ensure that you get a compatible rabbits. What will you do if they don’t bond or bonding is harder than you expected? Some rabbits can take years to bond or never bond at all. Are you and your mother willing to care for two single rabbits?

                        The only two rabbits I expected to get were my first two. The other three came to me because someone released one “into the wild” and the two younger ones were Easter casualties. None of them met before bonding BUT if they hadn’t bonded I was prepared to house them separately for their entire lives. I would discuss the possibility of the bond not working out with your mother. Or the possibility of the bond taking longer than expected and you having to leave two unbonded rabbits with your mother.

                        I’m not saying this to discourage you at all! And getting two rabbits that haven’t met doesn’t mean a bond is doomed to fail. I have 5 bonded rabbits and another member here has 6 bonded ones that didn’t “date”. I just think it’s better to discuss this possibility than have to deal with it right before you leave for school.


                      • Delilah's mommy
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                          Okay awesome! These both helped so much! I am glad to hear I can get him neutered asap. I knew he was old enough but I worried this could hurt him & I bonding but I assumed it should be alright. And yes! I am prepared that they could not bond. I am praying that this doesn’t happen, but I am for sure prepared. I am going to keep you guys updated through the bonding even though that will be about a month or so away, but since it’s my first bonding I’m sure I’ll have lots of questions!! I have read so many things and I think I’m prepared. But thank you both so much for your help!!


                        • jezabel loves moxie
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                            Hi everyone!!
                            I have the go from our landlord to get a second bunny.

                            mOXie is a year and a half. She is spade, free range. We recently made a big move from anchorage AK to Juneau AK. She is back to being her loving, independent self. Just yesterday she finally made it down and up the stairs.

                            We have been visiting the shelter in Juneau. There is one bunny left. Bourbun is 3 years. I want him! He’s all alone, around barking dogs, visiting hours are loud and the place smells like dogs.

                            The application is good to go so we are ready to schedule bunny dates…. My brain knows that’s the best way to go BUT … Can I just bring him home and deal with the bonding here?

                            I have faith, my mOXie is sweet and kind. She grooms us a lot and give me kisses. Really she does!
                            And Bourbun is very chill, relaxed. Loves to get pet.

                            His family didn’t want him because he wasn’t good with children!!!
                            Or because the 1 yr old would eat his poop
                            Or because he has seizures.

                            Advice please


                          • Dee
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                              Do you know why Bourbun has seizures? That would concern me, and I’d want to get as much history on it as possible to be prepared. Many people hesitate to adopt a bunny with any health problems, but as long as you’re able to provide any possible vet attention, meds or care he needs, I would say that means Bourbun needs a home even more ☺!

                              Basically, there’s always a chance that rabbits will not bond, no matter how promising the initial meetings. So I would not adopt a second rabbit unless you’re able to house them separately indefinitely. Two bonded rabbits are really no more trouble than one (except for cost of food, get bills, etc) but two separate rabbits are twice the work! Although worth it, IMO ?.

                              I would let the bunnies meet once, and if they don’t attack each other or show signs of instant hate, go for it. I’ve only had my rabbits meet once before I adopt the 2nd. Granted, I’m no expert, but traveling back and forth for dates seems stressful on your first bunny. I’m also always too excited to wait to bring the new rabbit home lol.

                              Good luck with everything! It really is beautiful to watch rabbits together, snuggling and playing ❤.


                            • jezabel loves moxie
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                                Thank you for your reply.

                                The bunny date went well so we adopted him.

                                once I figure how to post a new conversation on here, you’ll know we been busy.


                              • Vienna Blue in France
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                                  HI Jézabel – click on main welcome page, The Lounge, and then “New Topic” Can’t wait

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                              Forum BONDING Getting a second bunny