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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Do many of you have single bunnies?

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    • Theodorusrex
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        Hi everyone,

        I have an Instagram page for Theo (maybe sounds sad but I find it fun haha) but today I put up a picture of his newly cleaned pen which is really quite large, and attached to a large cage which is always open. Someone commented to tell me that the cage was way too small (it’s easily 7ft by 4ft ) and that he is probably miserable as a single bunny. We haven’t ruled out getting Theo a friend, I would love him to have a bunny companion. However, he seems really happy as things are – he is really only ever alone when we are asleep as my fiancé works from home and I’m home every evening too. We give him as much attention as we can and he is free roam downstairs during the day. He has only ever lived as a single bun and is very independent – he gets really unnerved around other bunnies.

        I’m bothered that someone has suggested that I’m not giving Theo good care, we really put our all into caring for Theo – and I thought we were doing a good job! Does anyone have any advice on this? Is he really definitely going to be miserable as a single bun? I see a lot of people with just one bunny.


      • Mikey
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          Single bunnies can be just as happy as coupled bunnies. Whoever said that either doesnt understand bunnies or doesnt understand that Theo is happy how he is living. I would try to explain to the commentor that Theo is happy and that his living space is pretty big for a solo bun


        • Pam
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            I am not expert by any means, but from what I have heard it is mostly important to get a companion if the bunny is alone. For example, if you have the cage off in a back room or if you are at work and don’t have any dogs.


          • tobyluv
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              Maybe the angle of the picture made the cage look small, because a 7 x 4 foot cage is not small. That cage size, plus that fact that Theo has free reign during the day, sounds much more than adequate. Many rabbits don’t have it that good.

              I have had single rabbits, but after having a bonded pair, I said that I always wanted to have bonded pairs. That is not to say that single rabbits have it bad. Most rabbits do love to be with their own kind, to snuggle, to groom, to communicate in rabbit language, but single rabbits can be very content too, especially when they spend a lot of time with their humans, as Theo does.

              There are plenty of rabbits in shelters and rescues in need of a home, if you ever decide to get a companion for Theo, but the life he has right now sounds like a very happy one.


            • Azerane
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                Don’t let other people get you down. It sounds like he has a wonderful set up. If you are home a lot which you’ve said your fiance works from home, then I doubt he is lonely. While I agree that guinea pigs should absolutely always live with at least one other piggie, I don’t feel it’s as essential for rabbits, providing you’re spending a good deal of time with them. A rabbit that doesn’t get much time out or that you’re not around to spend time with is better off with a companion, but it doesn’t sound as if that’s the case for Theo

                Bandit was a single rabbit for 3 years and he was a very happy rabbit. His cage was roughly 6 x 2 with two levels. Every morning before work I would let him out for around 45 minutes while I was eating breakfast and getting ready and we spent time together then. I would lock him away when I fed him breakfast before I left. While I was at work, my husband would get up and say hello to him and give him pats (wouldn’t let him out because he would be at the other end of the house on his computer). Then when I got home from work around 1:30pm I would let him out and he would be free-roaming the rest of the day unless we had to go out anywhere (which we don’t do often). So we were home a lot, and he got to spend lots of time with us because his cage was in the lounge room.


              • TH125
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                  I’ve had 5 different rabbits so far. Each have their own personality but I didn’t see any problem with having a single bunny (3 of them were single). In fact, the single one I have now is the friendliest one ive had.
                  He can open the cage door by himself and follows us around like a little puppy but when he needs an alone time he goes to under the couch or cage.


                • MiNinoJack
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                    Instagram is full of trolls who get off on making people feel bad. You know that Theo is happy and is getting the care he needs. Delete the comment from your page and go give Theo a snuggle. Haters love to hate.


                  • Mimsy
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                      his cage sound plenty big enough. I agree that it sounds like someone trolling you.

                      Willow is an alone bunny too. I’m home all the time and she has a dog and 3 birds as her warren and she is very happy with it. I used to think about getting a bun buddy for her, but she is so happy, has perfect potty manners and is very social, so I ‘ve since decided I don’t want to disrupt her life with a lot of drama of getting to know someone new.

                      Her home isn’t as big as yours either, it’s a revamped chicken coop that is 30 inches wide and 6 feet long with a second floor. It’s seems more than adequate for her to be in at night. I actually leave her out even if I run to the store during the day. We only put her in there during the day if we are doing something to the house that requires doors to be open often or I think she may be scared of the commotion.


                    • Bam
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                        It’s true that rabbits are social creatures and as a rule benefit a lot from a rabbit companion, but your rabbit isn’t alone all day long in an empty house or sitting alone in a hutch outside. I have 2 single rabbits, I’ve tried to bond them but got lots of backward humping and in the end injury to one of the buns’ eye, so I stopped trying. They live in the same house, but are separated by a gate. 

                        I don’t think a rabbit Insta is sad, but that because I have one for my buns

                         I don’t post a huge lot but I do enjoy looking at bunny pix, it’s very de-stressing. I follow many bunny accounts and just yesterday a girl whose bun has a ton of followers wrote about the issue you are addressing. Whatever pix she posts of her bun, someone has some outraged moralizing comment to make. There’s always sth wrong, her bunny is unhappy and at risk of this and that and blablabla. It seems some people use social media primarily to be rude and mean and snotty, under the pretext that they care. Well, don’t listen. Delete. Don’t let random strangers get to you. 


                      • jerseygirl
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                          I’m bothered that someone has suggested that I’m not giving Theo good care, we really put our all into caring for Theo – and I thought we were doing a good job! Does anyone have any advice on this? Is he really definitely going to be miserable as a single bun? I see a lot of people with just one bunny.

                          You are! Don’t let those type of judgments cause doubt. It won’t be the last time you face this, unfortunately, At the end of the day you’re the one who lives with the animal and knows them best. The commenter *may* have meant well, but they’re making an assumption from a photo.
                          And you’re right, LOTS of people do have one bunny. I’ve been a member on this forum for 8 years and have gotten to know plenty of happy single bunnies.
                          I myself have 2 pairs and a single bunny, I’m his companion.


                        • Theodorusrex
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                            Thanks everyone for the support and reassurance – we’ve only had Theo 4 months so I took this person’s comments to heart. It really means a lot for so many of you to offer your advice and reassurance.

                            I initially replied to this person explaining Theo’s circumstances but she replied twice more with worse comments – saying she was part of an animal rescue group and basically suggesting I ought to be ashamed of myself for ‘neglecting’ my bunny. I just deleted the picture off instagram and blocked her – it baffles me that people get a kick out of putting others down!

                            As MiNinojack says – haters gonna hate!!

                             EDIT:

                            I mean does this boy lookunhappy to you?  It’s his birthday today too – big 1 year old.

                             


                          • Mikey
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                              Happy birthday sir Theo! Hes such an adorable, and HAPPY, little guy


                            • Gina.Jenny
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                                Years ago, we had a guinea pig who got into a fight, and got bit on the face. After that he was terrified of all other piggies, and we had to keep him as a solo pig from then on. We kept him in the living room, where he was always able to watch what was going on, and included him in things by talking to him. I think he really thought he was half human. With plenty of human attention, he was clearly a happy and contented little piggy boy. 

                                Our first rescue bun was a girl, and came from a very bad situation. We adopted her through the RSPCA, and she needed a very calm and safe home, and I don’t think she would ever have coped with us bringing another bunny into the house, never mind bonding them. 

                                Gina was on her own for the first eight months we had her, though alongside Pippi and Jenny, so not without bunny company. Then something changed, and she made it clear she wanted to be in with the others. With Jenny not accepting that, we adopted a boy bun for Gina, and they were successfully marathon bonded in four days. She is now much happier and calmer. I think the bonding went so well as she had made it clear she wanted bunny companionship, even though like you, there is nearly always someone home in our house, and our bunnies live in similar sized areas of the dining room, and get plenty of floor time. The point with Gina being, she decided she needed another bun, not me.

                                As long as he is getting what he needs from you, and is happy, its fine to keep him as he is. Bringing another bunny in is always something of a gamble, even with speed dating first. Podge and Gina bonded quite easily, following a promising first meeting, others on here have never been able to bond their buns. 

                                Piggies aren’t so different from bunnies in their need for companionship. My friend had two piggies, one died, so the other went to the local rescue while my friend went away on holiday, and was bonded with another piggy. They came back to her house quite happily together, and it seemed a good match. A few months later, they started fighting, and she now has two piggies in separate cages. I’ve got two piggies who we’ve had in together for years. One has started constantly mounting the other, and I have decided I’m going to separate them as the one who is constantly being mounted is getting so upset by it. Although bonding can be for life, there are times something happens to break that bond, and you end up with two piggies, or two bunnies, each needing their own cage, their own run, their own toys and little house, and both needing extra human attention too!


                              • jerseygirl
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                                  I just deleted the picture off instagram and blocked her

                                  Good move! Some people can get so fired up. That’s why I like places like Binky Bunny that has guidelines. Sure, there will be differences of opinion and sometimes things may get a bit heated. But things are monitored so it doesn’t escalate. And not just by Moderators but also members that want to keep things fun and supportive. Some may feel like they’re being “baby-sat” but it really creates a respectful culture here, where people can feel they can post without being flamed. The site owner has done a fantastic job in setting it up this way and keeping it so for many years.

                                  I had an experience like this on facebook recently. And I’m not even really a “Facebooker”. I have an account so I can follow and post on some public pages, but I don’t use it for other social interaction.

                                  I commented on a photo in what I thought was a respectful way. No blaming, shaming, finger pointing etc. A lot of other people commented but I didn’t see those. The next day the photo had been deleted and the OP had said they pulled it down because they were getting hate mail over it.

                                  I thought that was pretty sad. As I said, I hadn’t seen what others wrote and didn’t want to be grouped in with haters. So In an attempt to clarify, I wrote that I was one who’d commented on the photo but certainly meant no disrespect to them or their work. (That should have been evident from my initial post anyway).

                                  THEN, some person started attacking me. I was the only person they could have a go at because the photo and comments had been deleted. This person couldn’t even tell me what I’d written but still thought I deserved ALL the censure and shaming. What do you do? lol So I do understand how you feel. I was affronted by their attack at first. 

                                  I wasn’t interested in engaging with someone so narrow-minded and stepped away. It was actually kind of amusing how ridiculous it was. They just seemed to be itching for a fight. 

                                  Hello Theo! 


                                • Theodorusrex
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                                    That’s the real danger of social media – it doesn’t take much for someone to become victimised or the subject of hate posts or hate mail. It’s sad that human beings can’t just be respectful to each other. Too many keyboard warriors about.

                                    I totally agree with you jerseygirl about the guidelines etc on this forum – it means people can post and feel like they will get constructive advice instead of blamed or become a subject of hate. It makes BB the wonderful place it is


                                  • tobyluv
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                                      Happy Birthday to Theo! He is a happy cutie!


                                    • Daisy
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                                        My single bunny has an Instagram too
                                        I think if your bunny is happy and isnt alone for the majority of the day its fine! I thought about getting a companion for Daisy but decided that since she has been the queen of the house for so long that another bunny taking up our attention would probably upset her.


                                      • Vienna Blue in France
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                                          Yup – he looks reeeeal unhappy in that photo !! LOL – No free roam in a house could be unhappy, surely !!!!

                                          Or would that person prefer 10 rabbits together in a huge shed, with no human interaction….. its all swings and roundabouts and he looks real happy, and you obviously dote on him.

                                          My friends had one bunny who was very affectionate them. They had heard that bunnies become less affectionate with humans once they become bonded so were hesitant in getting her a bf….. to cut a long story short, male arrived = two buns – happily bonded – female won’t leave male’s side, bonded like superglue and still happy to be picked up !!
                                          WIN WIN situation and my friend realises that her bun seems even happier now she has her new bf.

                                          Having said that I have a single female bun and I’m not planning in the near future to get a second !! LOL


                                        • Bam
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                                            Happy birthday Theo!!!


                                          • pinknfwuffy
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                                              Happy Birthday, Theo! I agree with all of the above. When I got Olaf, he was originally part of a group of abandoned siblings but, because he’s such a social and curious bun, the shelter had separated him to be shown off at the local pet store so more people would know there were bunnies available to adopt. I was worried he would be lonely but I think he has bonded to me instead. We sit on the couch together every night and he nuzzles my nose and grooms me. I offer pets in return and he seems content. He also has free-range when I’m home. No destruction, no stress-related behavior. He has the temperament to be a great companion but has yet to show any need for one. All rabbits need a partner, but I don’t think that partner necessarily needs to be a rabbit. :]


                                            • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                My boy, Bindi is a single bun. I was never able to bond him and my Olivia, who sadly passed away recently. They lived side by side in condos and now he’s by himself but he doesn’t seem unhappy. He gets lots of attention and out-time.

                                                While I agree it’s cruel to keep a bunny alone all day in a cage or hutch, if your bun gets lots of human and out-to-play time I’m sure he’s doing just fine.


                                              • Azerane
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                                                  Posted By Theodorusrex on 4/24/2016 4:06 AM

                                                  I mean does this boy lookunhappy to you?  It’s his birthday today too – big 1 year old.

                                                   

                                                  Happy Birthday Theo! I forgot to ask, what’s your Instagram handle? I’ll add you on there, I had one for Bandit too which I started the day before I lost him, but I still like to follow others and plan to update it once I have another bunn again  I’m @bunny_basics


                                                • Theodorusrex
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                                                    Thanks again everyone – I feel much better! I know its so silly to let people like that get to me – but with being a new bunny momma I’m always paranoid of doing something wrong. Thanks for all your birthday wishes for Theo – he got lots of new toys and treats and got to run riot in the garden for a few hours so he’s a happy boy!
                                                    He’s @theo.thehollandlop, I will add you azerane


                                                  • Azerane
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                                                      Added back, thanks  Love all his pics on there, such a spoiled birthday bunn!


                                                    • BellaRabbit
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                                                        Don’t worry about it, looks like you are doing a great job. My rabbit lived single for a year and she was perfectly happy, I got her bonded due to a change in circumstance, but I’m sure he is very happy with you


                                                      • cinnybun2015
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                                                          Your rabbit looks fine, he seems happy, don’t worry. I have a single rabbit, and I think Chomondeley enjoys all the attention. Cinny was a single bunny, too, but I regret not getting her a friend. She would’ve been a lot happier with someone near her all the time.


                                                        • Mordaith
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                                                            Fox is a single bunny. I often worried about his mental health. I found out through various research and conversation with the Vet, that a single bunny can be as happy – if not happier – than paired rabbits. Just give them lots of attention and play time. :3


                                                          • SnowWhiteBunny
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                                                              Had a single bunny for almost 3 years before she just passed away suddenly, she had no cage, just a litter and food area in our laundry room where she could hide and be at peace when she wanted to be away from everyone. Loads of human attention all day, she was so social she would come hang out with me and the children (I run a home daycare) out of her own free will.
                                                              To me she looked very happy, always by someone.

                                                              Your bun looks very sweet and at least in that picture looks quite content


                                                            • MoxieMeadows
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                                                                My bun Moxie is a single bun. I’ve had her for nearly 3 years now. With her personality I doubt she would even like to live with another bun.

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                                                            Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Do many of you have single bunnies?