Pros and Cons of having two bunnies?

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Hi I was wanting another bunny (although I can not guarantee I will be able to get a second one becuse of my mom) and I wanted to know the pros and cons of having two bunnies.

Do your bunnies love you as much if you have two of them or do they mainly pay attention to only each other? Does your original bunny still treat you the same way, (come and greet you when you go into their pen?

Yea I just wanted to know what it is like having two buns.

Thanks!

 

[kralspace]

Hi Wolf!

We were a single bunny family for 6 months. Pringles was happy, social, binkied and flopped all the time, but you could tell she craved company. She was always trying to cuddle with the cats, who’d have none of it.

It was reading about how social bunnies are and other members experiences here that convinced me to get another and it was well worth it. I now have 3 bonded couples and each bunny’s personality is just the same as it was before they got their mate. They still want attention from me, but you can tell how happy they are with each other.

The first day you walk in and find them just snuggling together and grooming you’ll know it’s worth it.

[ScooterandAnnette]

From our experience I’d say that Bailey, our first bunny, is less social with us now than when he was an only bun. We felt bad about him spending time alone when we were out and got him a cat to keep him company, unfortunately the cat was afraid of him and he quickly learned that he could terrorize the cat. With each bunny we’ve added to the family he’s become a little less interested in spending time with us, probably because he has friends to spend time with now. But we know that in his heart we’ll always be “those stupid big old bunnies”.
– Annette

[MimzMum]

I thought with Mimzy, since he was abandoned in the company of two REW’s, he was perhaps looking for a friend, but our second bunny came from a pet store and was used to other bunnies being around. Their bonding was going capital at first, now they tend to take dominant stances with one another for a few hours before settling down and cuddling. And now I have a third I may bring into the mix if I can get him socialized.
I think it really depends on the bunny. If your bun is happy being with you, then I wouldn’t try to fix what isn’t broken. If it seems your bun is taking a lackluster approach to life and appears to be searching for a companion, then think of the possibility of another. I can relate to the cats/bunnies fiasco…my Q.T. is not at all sure about how he feels about the rabbits…is deathly afraid of my daughter’s rabbit and will swat at her if she sniffs him. My other cat likes to poke them through the xpen bars and see if they’ll jump when she thinks I’m not looking.
Mimzy probably would’ve been fine being the only bun, I realize now…and Fiver is turning out to be quite social with me, but I have no idea if he’ll bond with Mimzy and Pip. Pip doesn’t care who’s in the pen, as long as they’re not sleeping under HER tent, eating HER lettuce or using HER litter box. >.<

One thing I would add; I think now, the idea of ‘bunny dating’ if you’re looking for a companion for your bun, is a very good way to scope out who would be a perfect fit. My three are rescues of one kind or another, so they’d be living with me if they got along or not and I would make concessions where necessary…but this is a choice that has to be not only up to you and your bun, but other members of the household.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’d say that their personalities don’t change; They are a little less interested in you however you can just tell that it’s right and they need the company of a second bunny. They are definitely happier

cons…bonding lol Check out the bonding section to get an idea of what your in for should you go that route

[skunklionshow]

I have to be honest…bonding Jessica w/ Leo was the BEST decision I ever made.  They are both happier than I ver could have imagined.  When they lived in my classroom they all had much more hip hop time than they do now.  But they’ve adjusted very well.  They have each other all the time.  They cuddle together, eat together, and poop together!  They are extremely happier w/ my decision.

[MooBunnay]

I think that in general, bunnies are more happy in pairs. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, but I think for the most part, bunnies can provide companionship for each other than we are not able to provide them. For example, my bonded pairs are constantly grooming and snuggling all day long. I have heard that when bunnies have a companion it can extend their life expectancy, and make them happier in general.

[MarkBun]

I think that Maryann would have been probably just as happy being a single bun as being a paired one. However, walking into their room and seeing her and Dono cuddling always makes me smile – knowing that she has someone around whenever I’m not there. I feel as long as your bun knows that you’re the source of treats, they won’t abandon you.

Now the cons are that it costs twice as much to keep them (including vet visits) and you have to do everything twice as often for them (cleaning litter trays, refilling water bowls, grooming, etc.).

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I thought of a con!! *pffttt* TWICE THE MOLTING!!

(thought of that last night as I was picking fur out of my drink)

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Thanks a lot everyone!

Aww it sounds so cute having two buns, although I am not sure if I am ready for it. I am still in high school and I am the only one to care for my bunny, so I don’t know if two would be too much, also my mom… In the future though…. The only thing is I worry that Fern is lonely, she does not act lonely or depressed to me, but what do I know what she is thinking. Do you think she needs a friend, I am gone from 7-5 sooo, what do you think? She has pleanty toys… and I sleep in her room… I really do want her to be happy.

The only thing is I am worried that Fern will not pay me much mind if she has a friend… I know, how selfish of me..

[kimberleyanddarren]

frmo my experience, i havent found their personalities have changed at all, in fact i think they are more fun to be around now that they have someone to play and cuddle with however if you are even 1% unsure about it, i dont think you should get one. Its a big thing and i didnt realise how much more pellets and hay and everything i would need to be buying, i think i get through more than double, id say about 3/4 times what i did with one because you have to give extra hay which you ahve to throw out sometimes and extra veg because sometimes you get a bad few bits and i didnt really expect such an increase in cost, however i did find that my work load didnt really increase all that much, i clean them out every day now instead of every other but i havent had a problem with that, i was worried about my bunny being at home all the time on his own and this was really my incentive for getting another one, one thing i may say though is if you are going to be going to college and will probably be out partying and stuff (although i know you will always make time for your bun) your bunny may benefit from a friend to keep them company and it would be easier to bond while you are still at home.

[RachelF]

I haven’t been successful in bonding my 1st bun, Honey, with any other rabbit. My boyfriend and I volunteered at the local SPCA and ran the bunny fostercare program for a little over a year, bringing a new bunny in left and right. Most ended up being rehomed, and Honey was always stressed when another rabbit was around.

I recently acquired a baby, and I assumed she would be less threatened because of its small size and laid back nature, but, she still launched at the little bun as soon as she got the chance. I think she has a naturally dominant nature, so assess the personality of your rabbit and also keep in mind that bringing a strange new rabbit into you exsisting rabbit’s home is almost ALWAYS considered a threat initially. So be sensitive =]

Goodluck!

[dmh426]

my bunny Sophie has no interest in us getting her a friend. i have tried. she is a lone bun by choice and that’s how she will stay. My attempts were very similar to bunnyballet’s….no matter what bunny she met, she wasn’t having it.

[Ana]

What do you look for when getting a second bun?  I know about bunny dating.  So how do I know if she wants a friend?

And, a selfish question: how much do you take YOUR wants into consideration with a second bun?  I’d prefer a small boy… what is she wants a big bunny friend?  Do you listen to your bun or yourself? :p

[Beka27]

getting Max is the best thing i feel i could have done… Meadwo adores him and it warms my heart seeing them together… but i grossly underestimated the hit my budget would take. Max eats twice the greens and hay that Meadow does… so when you’re already spending 50 bucks a month on greens for ONE BUNNY… phew. it adds up. litter costs too… not to mention vet care. i don’t remember, are you a minor? if you’re underage, live with your parents, and are unemployed, i would not really consider another bunny right now. that’s just my opinion. two are a lot of work. you can always get another bunny a year or two down the road.

[osprey]

Two buns are definitely more expensive than one, with two times the food and vet costs, but two are not that much more work than one. In my experience they will not change their approach to you very much, bunnies are social by nature and their instincts tell them to live with lots of other bunnies in harmony. In terms of picking a particular kind of bunny, that sometimes works, and sometimes does not. You have to let your bunny choose his or her own friend. You can certainly choose the ones you prefer and try introductions, but their temperament has to match in order for the bond to be successful.

[electro-weezle]

i have a question, is it better to have 2 girls or a neutered boy & a girl togethor?

[Beka27]

a neutered boy and spayed girl are the *easiest* bond in some cases, but anything is possible with the time and commitment to making it work. regardless of the sexes (boy/girl, girl/girl, boy/boy) all the bunnies need to be altered to prevent hormonal fighting and dominance issues.

[Duthreal]

My bunny was a rescue and has always been a very dominant rabbit.  We brought home a baby girl rabbit, butterscotch, and you would think she was the devil herself.  Bunny just lunged at Butterscotch every time we tried to get them together.  We put their cages near each other and they don’t really mess with each other when they are like that, but as soon as we let them out, Bunny attacks butterscotch, trying to mount her. 

We are slowly going to continue to work with them both and maybe someday they will be friends, but if not, we will give them separate play  times and just enjoy both of them separately.  Good luck and remember, there are some pairings that never work out.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Hi, Duthreal and Welcome to Binky Bunny!

We ask members to please not respond to old threads. This one is from 2008. It can cause confusion. Feel free to start a new thread on this topic!

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