Introducing another rabbit

[Nasreen]

Hello all
We currently have one adult male lionhead house rabbit. His hutch is based in my son's bedroom and the rabbit has full run of the bedroom and two landings. He seems very happy and content and receives lots of attention from the family. However, I do worry at times, that he might be lonely, especially when we can't always play. I realise now, that it might have been better to buy two from the same litter rather than one? IF (and it is a big IF) we did get another rabbit, would the existing rabbit become aggressive? Try to fight the new rabbit? We would get a separate hutch so that each had their own space. Would they be able to share the bedroom and landing? Or do you think it is a definite no no ?

Thanks.

Anyone?? I've been reading up on reintroducing a new rabbit to an existing one and it might be doable if the bonding process is done slowly and carefully? But I wonder if our bunny is now quite territorial and wouldn't take too kindly to a new friend? Even a spayed female?

it would be possible to introduce him to a spayed female. If you contact an animal rescue centre they may have an adult spayed female who they can supervise an introduction with in neutral ground. I have successfully introduced rescue rabbits together a couple of times and they have been brilliant friends. Sharing the same space and enjoying each other company. The introduction is the important part. Dont put them together in his territory for the first time. Only choose an adult spayed female. Best of luck. I think it will make him an even happier bunny!

Thanks for that bit of advice Pananny.. so you think a rescue centre is the first port of call? The nearest one is 17 miles away but think I will investigate anyway 😀

The good thing about rescue is they will only rehome once spayed. They will make sure the introduction goes well before you spend any money.
if you go to a pet shop you will have to buy before you know if they will get on, and, will have a baby who will either be female and may get pregnant before you can get her spayed or a male who may get badly injured if your current bunny is territorial.
I would give them a ring and see what they say. They may have a suitable bunny. or know of a local branch to you which specifically cares for rabbits. Where abouts are you?

Think you are right Pananny, I don't really want to go to a pet shop anyway. I am in Cheshire and my nearest branch is Altrincham way I think. At the moment our current bun lives free range upstairs. Hutch in sons room, access to landings and large wardrobe just converted into a ' bunny barn'. Then he has own run for outside. I wonder who would benefit from another rabbit more, him or us? I'm hoping both. Do you think he could be lonely? He seems happy enough but we can't be with him 24 7 even though rabbits do need own space from time to time.

I have just put rabbit rehoming cheshire in search and there are at least 5 different centres. I don't know the area, mobberly, Crewe and this one that has lots of females who may fit the bill. rabbitrescuenorthwest.weebly.com/

I had a house rabbit who followed me everywhere. He was so friendly and loved company. He used to groom my cat and they were inseperable. I moved to a house with a garden and he did seem much happier outside, doing proper bunny jumps, digging and just being happy! The cat didn't spend as much time with him so I got him a female companion which was fabulous, until the female turned out to be male and got very aggressive with my older bunny. My neighbours had the new one and I went to the RSPCA and they introduced him to a spayed female They were carefully introduced spent the day together and were best of friends from then on. He was still extremely friendly towards me, but obviously loved having a full time bunny friend. Sadly he died about 5 years later and the female started to pine. I rehomed a male in a similar way and they bonded and lived together for another 5 years - My old girl was about 12 when she died. Her mate died a year or so later. He was already a very old man so I didn't want to reintroduce another mate.

My out door enclosure was a small shed ( under £100, with a hutch inside and different levels etc. I cut a hole in the door which i could open in the day and close at night and enclosed an area of the garden as an outside run with a gate so we could go in a sit with them. My daughters spent hours in there with them, playing in the bushes and petting them.

From my experience I would always give a pair of bunnies if possible. I am sure they can be happy living alone, but I think they are happier with a mate.

I second Pananny. I'd definitely try and get a rescue to do the bonding for you. I live too far away from any shelters so attempted it myself, with disastrous consequences. They had to live side by side instead of together. My guineas, on the other hand, were a dream!

Good luck!

Thanks the both of you, I am currently looking at rescue centres up here, including the RSPCA. We are thinking of trying to introduce a spayed female at some point, so obviously Mikey would need to be neutered. I am guessing as the procedure is performed regularly, it is safe with minimum risk (always SOME risk with operations I know), but we would be devastated if he didn't pull through afterwards.

Thanks again.

I'd like to do this too, excellent advice.

Hi itusedtobeverydifferent
What breed of rabbit do you have? Are you looking to introduce a bunny friend? We really want to do this, but want to get it right also!

We have a small rabbit outside, we feel bad that he's alone all day when we're out.

Yes I expect he does feel lonely... hope you can find a friend for him soon.