What kind of companion for bunny

[Baby Bruce]

I have a male who is (maybe) a year old, he’s a pet store purchase and they really weren’t a fountain of knowledge about his background. He will be getting neutered in two weeks as he has been increasingly more…flirtacious. He’s not aggressive though, actually has very sweet when he courts, he’s just terribly Persistent and marking territory has been getting worse. After his *ahem* opperation I was considering getting him a companion. He was a petstore find and was housed beside other bunnies but ignored them entirely, seeking attention from passing shoppers (his endless scurrying and adorable feats for attention are what won me over that fateful day). He’s currently the only child my husband and I have, as well as pet, and I adore him. My concern is bringing another bunny in and risk exposure to an illness and how he would take to another rabbit, or if I should seek maybe another kind of companion like guinea pig or cat. Any ideas or experience?

[Beka27]

A companion bunny might be a good idea, but don’t rush into it. Once he is neutered, let him heal and the hormones to be reduced for awhile. Maybe 2-3 months? See how his behavior is and if he improves as a house pet. You might decide that you like how things are and don’t want to “rock the boat”. He doesn’t absolutely need a mate to be happy.

[Zombie-Sue]

Now is definitely not the time to get him a friend. In fact, pet store rabbits are usually very unhealthy and I’d be more worried about him making someone else sick. Definitely wait until at least 6 weeks after his operation I’d say, and monitor him closely. Then it might be time to consider finding him a good friend, but I’d encourage you to look elsewhere. Rescues are the best place to get rabbits, especially for newbies, followed closely by skilled breeders. Pet stores are best avoided even though they’re cute!

[Megabunny]

But not a guinea pig companion for several reasons

[Baby Bruce]

OK, thanks everyone! He seems like a happy boy whenever he has his people at home but you always read and hear how bunnies are always SO much happier with a friend. Thanks for the reminder to be patient! Haha my first rabbit was an unaltered male and he ran our ranch! The cats were his subjects and my neurotic guinea pig, his queen!

[AnnaW]

Hi baby bruce I was in your exact situation, about to get my Barney neutered and he’d certainly been acting like he’d like a friend … and that’s when I found Belle and decided I HAD to have her. A 3 legged little angel she is (naughty though!) and I knew she’d be snapped up as she was so unique … so i got her then and there! In hindsight, it was a crazy idea and Barney had only been neutered for 3 weeks! But 5 months later, they’re totally in love, cuddle up together every night and they have NEVER had a fight … their bonding was so easy after their 3rd playdate they were never separated again!
Make sure you’re totally prepared and leave it a couple of months after your male is altered, and then have a look at your local rescues and shelters
Good luck! x

[Baby Bruce]

Thanks so much! While on the topic of neuterung, since he’ll be at the vet, should I ask for any extra check-up stuff? He was from a pet store, but we’ve had him since September of2013 and he’s always had a healthy appetite, regular, solid stool, he has silky and shiney fur. To the LOOK of things he seems healthy but is there anything I might want to have the vet check since he’s there?

[manic_muncher]

They should definitely at minimum give him a good once over before actually putting him under for surgery, but I would ask they take a look at his teeth while he’s under. The molars are really hard to check and while asleep would be a good time to make sure there isn’t any issues with them. Toenail trim too!!

[Baby Bruce]

Ah! Brilliant! I thought maybe the teeth, my old roommate got a cat once that had a cracked tooth the shelter didn’t know about. I hadn’t thought of the toenails but DEFINITELY a good idea!

[KW BunnyMystic]

I think considering getting him a friend is a great idea!

Rabbits LOVE other animal company, mine are very bonded to my dogs and cat. But there is a special, unique bond they will form with another rabbit. Plus, it is just a terrific thing to have two happy bunnies living in your home.

Definitely wait a couple of months before even considering a new bunny.

Then make sure you have the time and space to do the bonding. (Two cages, or two side by side areas they can be in, I used a hallway and bathroom, and time you can devote to the bonding everyday, and then maybe a stretch of three or four days for a bonding marathon).

Then take your time. Search all of your local rescues, not just rabbit rescues, often pounds have rabbits in addition to cats and dogs. You can also search of rabbit adoption and your zip code and see what comes up.

Then take your rabbit on lots and lots of bunny dates and find a rabbit he is really comfortable with. This makes a big, big, big difference in the amount of time and effort and stress the bonding process will involve.

Good luck!

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