Having A Single Bachelor Bun?

[pinknfwuffy]

I have a 10-month old Californian, Olaf. He is a charming, determined, funny little guy. I’ve been reading a lot about how so many of you have bonded pairs and trios as well as how good it can be for our rabbits to have friends to socialize with. Unfortunately, at this time I live in a small apartment with permission for only one pet. Sometimes I feel badly that Olaf doesn’t have a bun buddy and wanted to find out how it’s going for those of you who only have single buns?

He seems happy and loves exploring as well as spending time loafing around with me. I let him out for about two hours every morning and 5-6 hours every evening. I am also home for lunch and, while I don’t let him out at that time, he does get some petting and treats. His cage is a large, two-level C&C so he has room to move about and play with toys during the day. I haven’t noticed any stress or boredom behavior so far. He’s also very affectionate with me (we have an evening grooming routine with lots of pets and kisses).

Over the long-term, is the single life okay for him? :]

[blubudgie]

Have you asked your management if “caged” animals are okay to have more than one? A lot of the apartments I’ve been to have deposits and rules for dogs and cats, but when I ask about small animals like rabbits, hamsters, birds, fish they don’t seem to care. They don’t require any deposit and theres no # limit. You don’t have to tell them they won’t be caged all the time unless management visits you frequently for some reason.

Anyway, I think single bunnies do fine as long as their human can give them the attention and bonding time that they need. As long as you have time to spend a couple hours just being around him I think he will be okay by himself. I usually like to do my homework just sitting next to my rabbit’s cage. Or take naps near/in her pen.

[Mimsy]

Willow is a single gal and I think is doing wonderful. She’s out of the cage anytime we are home, for us..usually someone is home. In the evening when I go lay on the bed to watch tv she usually jumps up and lays on my chest for an hour or two exchanging pets for licks.

[Q8bunny]

Chewie is an 11-month old singleton. I have tried and tried to find a pal for him but he has made it VERY clear that he prefers to be a lone wolf (and an incorrigible momma’s boy). He doesn’t have any kind of enclosure and has the same access to our home as I do. I work from 6:30 to 3:30 (sometimes to 6:30) five days per week, and am at home with him (or Chewie is out and about with me) the rest of the time. The only times I have seen him unhappy is when I tried to bring other bunnies into our home. The rest of the time he likes to explore, play, relax, and redecorate. No day goes by without at least a couple of binkies and a few zoomies on mommy’s bed to provoke her into a game of chase and tickle. He is really affectionate and seems happy with his life.

So yes – I am convinced that if the quality of life is high, a bun can be very happy by himself.

[Theodorusrex]

Theo’s a 10 month old bachelor bun and while we’ve only had him for around 2 months he seems really happy and content to be on his own. Just echoing what has already been said if you can spend the quality time with him and he has plenty of toys and enrichment he should be fine. I wouldn’t rule out a friend for Theo at some point in the future but for now he seems very happy with the way things are. It would be different if your bun was confined in his cage with little or no interaction with you.

[pinknfwuffy]

Thank you everyone! This is very reassuring. I appreciate hearing your stories and knowing that some even prefer to be the king or queen of their castle. :] I live in a house apartment with a business downstairs so they are a little more strict about the number and type of pets allowed, but I think he’ll be alright with human company.

I really love being his buddy and watching him play. He’s very independent and self-reliant, which makes it even sweeter when he hops up on the couch with me in the evening for pets and nuzzles. I buy/make him too many toys but seeing him try new things and live a binky-bun life is too good not to. :]

[Booplesnoot]

I’ve seen Boople grooming his stuffed doggie, so I assume he’d like to have a bunny friend, but my partner would have an aneurysm if I brought another bun into the house, haha. He seems alright just being the only one here. We have a cat as well, but they don’t really interact much. Do bunnies enjoy playdates? I have a friend who has a bun and I’ve been thinking about it.

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