Should I Introduce a New Bunny to My Bonded Pair Before or After One Dies?

[HoppyBunnies]

I adopted my current boys from the humane society in my neighborhood when they were 2.5 years old. Originally, I got them believing they were both Polish rabbits – as they were labeled that way. After taking my animal care, management, and identification class (for my senior year), I correctly identified my smaller bunny as a Netherland Dwarf, who will typically live about 7 years longer than Polish rabbits. I know Mochi and I will be devastated when Pompom passes.

I am going to get a companion for Mochi at some point, but I don’t know if I should I introduce a new bunny to my current pair before Pompom dies (to help Mochi through it) or if I should wait until after his death. ;n; I know that introducing a third bunny doesn’t always go smoothly – but I couldn’t bare to see my bunny get so depressed. They’re super close and are inseparable – they are the best trained, sweetest, and smartest buns ever. They both have free range in my room, and we’ve formed a great bond between the three of us. I was thinking of getting another male for them, since neither of my buns have ever met a female, but I’m open to either gender. They’ve both been neutered the entire time I’ve had them. I’ve done extensive research, but I can’t find anything pertinant to before death bonding to another bun. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[DarthVadar]

Waiting until after Pompom dies would prob be best. Not because its good to have Mochi sad, but because bonding a new rabbit into an already bonded pair could result in two of them getting along great and shunning the other. As long as you get the other one soon after one passes (less than a month, preferably), it will be just fine. One more thing: when one rabbit in a bonded pair dies, leave the body in the cage for the other one to see and sniff. I know it sounds mortifying, but if the rabbit does not know that its buddy is dead, he may be resistant to future bonding.

[HoppyBunnies]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m not new to bunny ownership, and I mostly know what to do after one rabbit in a bonded pair dies (I researched it extensively). I was just trying to think of a way to make it easier on my other rabbit – I’d hate to see him so depressed because they are extremely close to one another. But, I’ll wait until after his death to find Mochi somebunny else to bond with. Again, thank you so much for replying. ?

[DarthVadar]

Its so awful to have a bunny in a bonded pair die. One of mine did recently, and introducing the new bunny after worked very well, especially with my rabbit (she’s very territorial, so bonding her can be a nightmare). I’m sure bonding a third one in could work with some bonded pairs, but the likelihood that they will fight and make later bonding even harder just doesn’t seem worth it.

[HoppyBunnies]

That’s a very good point, and the main thing I was worried about – I wouldn’t want to ruin the time they have left together if the new bond didn’t go well. I’m so sorry for your loss – pets are like family (at least to me). I hope your bunny is happier now, or at least content. Much love and thanks from my buns and myself. ??

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