Older rabbit now alone - what friend will we get him?

[humlebee7]

Our bunny Charles is now alone. His friend the guinea pig was put down today :-( He used to live with his brother who dropped down dead unexpectedly a few years ago, then he had two piggies who used to snuggle up with him and now the last of those has gone.

He has a massive house (like Wendy house size) and outside run so there is space.

But he's unneutered and I think fairly old (he was adopted from a neighbour though so not exactly sure how old - maybe 6 or 7 years old).

So do you think he'd be better getting a rabbit friend - and what gender? I take it for either he'd be best getting neutered but worried it might be too much for him. Otherwise I could get more guinea pigs but I'm sure he'd rather have a rabbit if possible. Although he's not had a rabbit friend for three years now.

Here's his house.

Given his age I wouldn't neuter him. You may be able to find an elderly spayed female bun at a rescue

Sorry that was abrupt - I got interrupted. I think your best bet may be an older female but only if she's spayed. A rescue will be able to help you and an older girl would love to have a nice new home. Don't get more guinea pigs - they really shouldn't be kept with rabbits for health reasons.

Sorry about your guinea pig.

You can definitely get him neutered at his age and he could live another 6 years or more, so he may live to see several companions and bonding will be easier if he is neutered. Using a rabbit specialist vet is absolutely essential though, as is a thorough health check first.

A good rescue will be able to help you with bonding. What area are you in? I may know of one in the area or a few of my friends who are heavily involved in rescue/with the Rabbit welfare association may know.

YY to not keeping guinea pigs and rabbits together. Even though it's common to keep them together, they really shouldn't be.

A spayed female rabbit would be best. I know some rescues will bond rabbits for you.

I'm near Edinburgh Midori. I did a quick google for rabbit rescues but only the SSPCA one came up us one that's closed now from the look of it.

I'll phone the local vets re getting him neutered and see what they say.

I've kept rabbits and guinea pigs together for years - never knew it was a no no. The guinea pigs were from my SIL who lost interest in them... I got the rabbits from a neighbour whose parents were divorcing and house being sold...

He's such a nice friendly rabbit it would be nice if he had a companion. Thanks for your thoughts

*plus one that's closed

Well that's handy... The Dick Vet is the absolute best in the area (in fact, one of the best in the UK) for bunnies. They do charge more for neutering than other local vets, but their service, staff and facilities far exceed any other local vet. If you phone and ask then they will be happy to explain what you get for your money. Jenna Richardson in particular is excellent.

Rescue wise, the SSPCA are a bit useless tbh. They don't allow you to take bunnies there for dating and so you wouldn't have any idea whether your bunny had a good chance of bonding with the new one or not until you got it. Quite a few of their bunnies leave unneutered too. Fairly Beloved in Glasgow is the nearest rescue since Buddies closed, but I believe they may have fosterers in Edinburgh now, or they were planning on it.

I think getting a companion is absolutely the right thing and your set up looks lovely!

I've been in touch with Fairly Beloved who were really helpful. Didn't think age necessarily a barrier to getting him neutered and can help with bonding which is great. Thanks for info!

That's fantastic! So glad they were helpful. Good luck!