Senior bun with new bun?

[lilys.eyes]

Hi everyone!
I am new to BinkyBunny, but a longtime lover of buns

So here’s the story: I have a senior Rex, male (unneutered) rabbit. He’s 9 years old. He’s slowly gone blind over the past two years, and he is now completely blind. I have taken him to the Vet and all is well in the pressure of his eyes – he just can’t see very well. He still seems to be as happy as a clam, very curious, loves cuddles, LOVES to eat (always), he’s just calmed down and sleeps a bit more in his old age.

He has never had another bun with him because he’s been unneutered his whole life (I know, I know. There are probably many people here who are horrified that he is not neutered. By the time I learned that it was safer to neuter a male rabbit for health reasons, he was too old to do so. Having said that, he has lived to 9 and every time I bring him to the vet they are always thrilled with how healthy he is!) , but I am wondering if perhaps now is a good time to give him a companion – because he can’t see. Although the other side of the coin is that I don’t want to disrupt his world too much, because he is an old guy and routine is already so important to a blind bun.

I would love any thoughts or input!

PS – If I were to get another bun, they would DEFINITELY be spayed or neutered, and it would be a slow introduction!

[Azerane]

This is really a tough one. I can certainly see how beneficial another rabbit would be for a blind bunny to have around, comfort and guidance etc. However, given that he’s been on his own his whole life, is used to having the house by himself it may be better for him to stay on his own. Bonding can be stressful at the best of times, and a new rabbit is likely to stress him out, there could be issues with introductions because he won’t be able to see the other bunny’s body language (however this could also be a benefit in some ways).

If it were me, I would probably let him continue his life the way it is. He’s healthy and happy, and is used to his environment the way it is. Bonding may go smoothly, but it can also be extremely disruptive and stressful. Added stress is really a thing that older bunnies don’t need in my opinion.

[Bam]

I think Azerane has a very good point – bonding is stressful, your rabbit is old and has had his humans and living-space to himself all his life. He seems happy. I don’t think I’d risk it.

Btw, we don’t advocate neutering boy rabbits for health-reasons. Lone boy bunnies that show no adverse behaviors can very well be left intact for their whole lives. Boys are neutered to prevent pregnancies if you’ve a bunny couple, or to stop/prevent unwanted behavior (pee-spraying, poop-marking, aggression, sexual frenzy etc.) A neutered boy won’t get testicular cancer of course, but that’s not a common form of cancer in bunnies. It’s very different with girl bunnies, they should be spayed to prevent uterine cancer/ other diseases that can affect the reproductive organs. But we have several members who have happy, healthy intact boys!

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m going to agree with Azerane and Bam. I would just give him as much love and attention as you can in his golden years.

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