Rabbit died yesterday, worried about its mate

[WellThatsLife]

Our male rabbit died yesterday suddenly, he had been ill but seemed to be recovering well(I spent 5 days having to syringe feed him about a month ago). My main concern is his mate, she about 2 years old, not the friendliest of buns, and has been very quiet. I don't really want to get another rabbit but am concerned about keeping her on her own, what have others done in this situation

I've never kept rabbits but your 2yo bun is very young to lead a life alone.

Last year one of our guinea-pigs died (brothers) so I phoned a Rescue to get him a cagemate.

The few days he was alone he was really meh, it was the best thing to get him a cagemate. (With a rabbit pairing though a male/female is said to be best as they're neutered, but my DD wouldn't entertain having her boy snipped so we got a little 6 week boar)

I suppose at the moment your main concern is the health of your doe, especially if your male was ill, you'd need to keep a check on her.

Then maybe phone round some rabbit rescues and they can match your rabbit with a male (ready neutered). There will be lots of singletons about the same age otherwise you'll have a continual cycle of matching up if one is older. (That's what we'll be facing with our pigs, they are 4 and 1, so I know at some point we'll face it again)

Good Luck and

I would definitely get her a companion, ideally a neuteured male. (Make sure it has been neuteured at least 4 weeks beforehand, as they can remain fertile for that long after the snip.)

Rabbits shouldn't live alone (imho) unless incredibly well bonded to their human family (and not all rabbits are amenable to that).

Once your doe's health has been given all-clear and you have found a contender, have a look here:

www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/index.php?section=leaflets.html

Especially at leaflets under 'advice and info'. The one called 'bunny buddies' describes a good introduction technique. Good luck!

(Also see info on same site re: training your remaining bun to be a bit friendlier)

Sorry - meant to say - very sorry about the loss of your male rabbit

Did you leave the dead one in the hutch a while before removing it? If so your bunny is likely to recover quicker from mourning than if the rabbit died elsewhere/was removed quickly. It gives them a chance to recognise the bunny died

One of ours is on his 3rd hutch mate (the murderous old letch!) and we always try to give him time with the dead bunny before removing it. Then get a companion after 2-3 weeks from a rescue