Does my bunny need a friend?

[louby86]

Hi, been for a routine check up at the vets tonight with my six month old lop. She's fine in general but has been pulling her fur out down near her back legs. The vet suggested reducing the amount of pellets we give her and increasing the amount of veg and hay (she is a fussy eater) and also suggested she might be doing it because she hasn't yet been spayed. So, we're getting her spayed next month after she has finished her 28 day preventative worming course, after that the vet has suggested we find her a neutered male friend. While I agree with the vet and would love to do this I'm worried about how to introduce them. We would buy a bigger hutch for them both and cookie already has a massive chunk of the garden so run space isn't an issue. I just thought if they didn't grow up together they wouldn't get on. She's a very friendly bunny, will jump on you to sit in your lap etc so she's not displaying any signs of being lonely that the vet would pick up on. Any advice please?

I would say DO IT!

I had my first rabbit (spayed female) for a year before I got her a friend. She was an indoors rabbit, and loved to snuggle face to face with me on the floor and 'talk'. Whilst that was lively, I was always the one to walk away from her, she'd never leave first and I started wondering if she was lonely when I wasn't there. She didn't show any other signs if being lonely.

I took my girly to a rescue centre (there are lots - look here and made a shortlist of neutered boys I thought looked suitable. I left my bunny there, and the rescue lady introduced the boys to my girl until a match was found. Apparently my girl attacked the first poor guy (who was truely a lovely little chap), but fell in love with number two on first sight (strange as he's a grumpy bugger). I brought them both home that night.

The difference in my seemingly already content girl was amazing. They play together, they snuggle together, they are a huge source of comfort to each other. And it was great to watch them being rabbity together - sorting out who was boss (definately my girl) and playing leaping games that I can't play!

If you can afford the extra vet treatment, DO IT! I don't thunk you'll regret it.

Thanks for replying! That's a good idea about taking your bunny to a rescue centre to pick a friend, I'm going to ring the local RSPCA today to see if I can go and do that and then when she's been spayed she can have a new home to move into with a new friend!

I agree with the idea of getting a rescue rabbit. Find your local rescue by looking on the website Rescue Review.co.uk which lists loads of rescues/specialists etc. They will advise you how best to introduce the rabbits and make sure everyone is happy!