Adding another bunny

[BunnyMunchkin]

I have only had my bunny for a month and I am already in love and bunny stuff is taking over our home  I would like to eventually get a second bunny so that he has a playmate. I have some questions about adding a second bunny.

Would it be best to adopt a male or female? ( My bunny is a male)

Will a second bunny affect my relationship with him?

How long after neutering should I wait to adopt a second bunny?

And what is the best way to introduce them?

[Watershine]

First off, congrats on the bun! And good on you for wanting to adopt! You’d probably want to wait a few weeks for his hormones to come down after a neuter even if his new pal is already altered because it could affect how he bonds. If you’re going to a shelter or rescue, I’m sure they’ll let you bring your boy and allow him to meet a few candidates to see who he hits it off the best with. In regards to the best way to introduce, I’d say different cages but same room for a few days, then perhaps move the cages next to each other to see how they interact through the bars. Gradually move into allowing them together in the same area, preferably a small, neutral territory like a bath tub. Build up the time that bonding sessions last until you feel they are bonded and can be alone.

[tobyluv]

It’s usually easier to bond a neutered male and a spayed female, but you can also bond same gender rabbits. You should wait at least a month after his surgery to introduce him to another bunny. Almost all rescues and many shelters spay and neuter their rabbits, which will save you money allow you to start bonding soon after you bring the new one home. I have had good luck bonding rabbits in an x-pen. My husband and I get in there with them, so we can comfort any bunny that might need it, and we can break up any fighting or excess humping.  We start with a few minutes for the first session, then increase it every day.

Here are 2 good articles on bonding. Some may say to wait 2 weeks after surgery, but it’s really best to wait a month.

https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/9/PID/940/Default.aspx

http://rabbit.org/faq-bonding-multiple-rabbits/

[BunnyMunchkin]

Thanks everyone! I am hoping to be able to adopt this time around but I have only been able to find one rescue that is nearby and they don’t neuter/spay the rabbits. All of the other rescues are at least 1 hour if not 2 hours away, I am hoping that my husband will be willing to drive that far. I would prefer to get a neutered adult that way I could start bonding them right away.

[BunnyMunchkin]

I have been thinking more and more about getting a second bunny. Is it ok to get a different breed rabbit?( still small) or would it be better to get another holland lop?

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