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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Keeping a rabbit solitarily : Solitary Moshu

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    • Avantika
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        Hello everyone.

        Its a common knowledge that rabbits do better when they have a friend for themselves ; they have someone to cuddle with, someone who will understand them in their language, helps them recover illness faster and live longer. I cannot get another rabbit at the moment, so I want to know how many of you have kept your bunny friends solitary, esp those who have kept them solitary since more than a year, and how they are doing. I would also appreciate some tips from such rabbit parents.

        If can afford, and if I dont have to move out of the city, I’ll get a friend for Moshu by 2016 or 2017, but realistically speaking, it wont be anytime soon.


      • RabbitPam
        Moderator
        11002 posts Send Private Message

          Hi, Avantika,
          I have had two bunnies, and each were solitary buns. Spockie lived for 8 years, and after he died, I got Samantha less than a year later. She is now 5 1/2.

          I would call both my bunnies happy, friendly and well adjusted. Sammy just got a check up today, and is in perfect health. She knows people in my family and visitors, is alert, definite in her personality and preferences, and we are very bonded. She is clearly a happy, comfortable girl, and I would vouch for a solitary bunny anytime. Spockie was unusually friendly and even more social with people. He was adorable, and again, no problem being alone with me.

          I worked full time most of both their lives, and it’s a great schedule for a bunny pet because they played and ate in the morning with me. Slept the better part of the day (natural for bunnies) and were up and at em when I got home. We spent several hours together in the evenings, and they were ready for bed when I was. Altogether, I’d say they thrived. Bunnies, unlike dogs, do not get lonely during daytime hours. They use the litter pan and graze slowly, so you don’t have a starving bun when you leave them. Just make sure they have hay and water for several hours. They bond with humans who care for them. Not to worry.


        • Lita
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            We have one bun who was alone his first two years and he seems pretty happy. Doesn’t seem to mind other buns and he is really calm for an unfixed male. He’ll be bonded (hopefully) once he is fixed but honestly he seems he would be find alone forever. He was also not well care for before we got him and he still seems fine.

            We also have a bun who was raised with his siblings and was originally adopted to be with another bun but had to be returned due to him not likeing them. Currently we have no plans of ever bonding him. He is fixed but he gets very violent around other buns.

            I also have a baby flemmie that is alone atm. I’d like to bond him at some point but he is also very large and very young and very pushy.

            We just give them a little be more time then the pairs, but they arn’t particularly needy buns either. Overall I wouldn’t worry to much if you can’t get a friend for a while.


          • Kokaneeandkahlua
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              Definitely you can keep one rabbit who is happy!
              Rabbits are wonderful pets for the busy-they are most active first thing in the morning and late in the evening. Perfect for people who work or go to school. They don’t need walks-letting them out in the evening while you do your thing (TV, Study, computer, reading-whatever) they’ll exercise themselves, investigate and interact with you. So no matter if you are busy, so long as your rabbit is somewhere that they can see the family/you, and get out in the evening or morning to exercise and interact with you (even if your busy doing other things) they will be quite happy. I don’t regret any of my rabbits, but my first rabbit who was a solo rabbit for some time was wonderful and I think that was because we had a special bond as it was just her and me initially.


            • LongEaredLions
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                Bunnies are healthier when they have someone to play/cuddle with, but that doesn’t have to be a bunny! It can be you! Solitary bunnies can absolutely be just as happy and healthy as paired bunnies. My first bunny was alone for two years, and she was just fine.


              • MoveDiagonally
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                  Bunnies are healthier when they have someone to play/cuddle with, but that doesn’t have to be a bunny! It can be you! Solitary bunnies can absolutely be just as happy and healthy as paired bunnies

                  This is exactly what I was going to say but LEL beat me too it!


                • Bam
                  Moderator
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                    I have 2 solitary bunnies, I have tried to bond them but they have refused vigorously. They are very cuddly with people. They also try to socialize with my German Shepherd dog, but she’s more or less indifferent to them, although she will give them a lick on the head now and then so she does acknowledge them as pack-members.

                    One of my rabbits sleeps in my bed. We cuddle a lot. I think both buns are happy. I’ve had Bam for 2,5 years now and Yohio for 14 months. The ideal would be if they would like each other but they don’t show any signs of that, so they live separated by a double gate (both are free roam and have half the apt each). They can see each other though and sometimes they fight at the gate (but they can’t reach through it to hurt each other). I don’t have room for more rabbits. 

                    Edit: I do believe that bunnies need lots of cuddling though. (Once they get to know you so they trust you, of course, not cuddling that’s forced upon them). Nose-rubs and forehead-rubs seem to be my buns’ favorites. When you see rabbits togeather, they tend to be very physically close and groom each other a lot, so I think it’s very important for them to get physical contact, if not with another bunny, then with a person or another pet.


                  • Beka27
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                      Moshu sounds like he’s getting great companionship from you! If you can get another bun at some point, great! But don’t feel like you absolutely have to! Either way, moshu is very lucky to have someone who cares so much for him!


                    • LittlePuffyTail
                      Moderator
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                        I’m a firm believer that bunnies can be very happy and healthy on their own. If they have a person who loves them and gives them attention, they can be perfectly happy. I have two “alone” buns because I can’t bond my boy and girl because my girl is very difficult and aggressive. I can’t afford a third bunny to bond with my boy. They live in condos, side by side in my rabbit room so they at least have a neighbour and get several hours out to play and interact with me and my husband, separately, every day.

                        A hutch bunny who is stuck outside alone all day would certainly be lonely, unhappy and do better with a friend but I think that house bunnies can get on perfectly well by themselves with love and attention.


                      • Meatloaf N Bunnito
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                          From what I’ve read and from someone I know who has a solitary bun, they can do just fine on their own and don’t necessarily need another bun, it is just recommended for company so they aren’t lonely or bored all the time. I bought a second bun only cause i felt bad seperating my buns since they were the last two from their litter. i initially bought one but when i went back for supplies the next day i had to buy the littermate. they have been the best of friends ever since. It is a bit more expensive having two, but i wouldn’t trade either of them for the world. i love my buns and they have stamped a permanent place in my heart. it was love at first nose wiggle XD


                        • Avantika
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                            I am now feeling more assured that I can give a good upbringing to Moshu. In the first week of her coming to my home, I would see her roaming around home all day and thinking to myself, if she is lonely and plainly stuck up with me. But now she’s friendlier and responds more to petting. Thanks everyone

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                        Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Keeping a rabbit solitarily : Solitary Moshu