Lonely Bunny?

[SirPercy&I]

I adopted Percy in January, and we love him to pieces even though he has a bad attitude and is very distant..still haha. We always have the cage door open when we're home. Recently, he rarely even comes out anymore and will just lay there. We've been thinking about adding a second rabbit, and a companion for him. He is fixed. I have read a female would make a better companion, and easier to bond rather than another male? He is also 2 years old, would it be okay to add a younger one (would be hard to find an older one, unless a shleter has one)

 

[MiniLopHop]

Sounds like he might be depressed. I would highly recommend going to a local shelter/rescue to try bunny speed dating. It's much easier to bond two rabbits that have picked each other rather than a forced marriage. I think my buns are even more affectionate because they have a mate, it just makes them so much happier and less stressed over all.

 

[ZRabbits]

I don't know about depressed, but I know it takes a while for you to really bond with a bunny. Do you know his background? Sometimes olderrescues have gone through tough times and it takes them longer to trust you. That's why he's distant still. Do you sit at the open door of his crate? Just being there? That's a good way to help break through the "distance".

But if you are seriously thinking of a companion, a female would be a good choice. And the bunny dating seems to help bunnies choose a companion. Bunnies do need to pick their own because they are very picky who they hang around with. And when they dislike, it's not pretty.

Contact rescues that do bunny dating. Plenty of bunnies out there that need a good "forever" home. But just remember, though your bunny might bond at the rescue, it's a whole different ballgame when you bring the new one home. Don't get discouraged. It takes time and patience on your part to help the bonding process. But once it happens, you can see by others how much their bunnies enjoy it.

Good Luck. Hope you let us know how it goes.

K

 

[Nancy McClelland]

ray:

 

[SirPercy&I]

Thank you for your replies!!

All I know about his background is that he's been in two homes, and in the shelter. He was on the list to be euthanized, and thats when I brought him home. He has come a LONG way, already. When he is out, he will hop onto the couch, come up to our lap, then hop away. He is not afraid to come near us. He has cage aggression, but that has also with become better. He knows what "NO" means, and seems to have a little more patience with hands in his cage, haha.

I feel so naive! I've done it all! I've had ferrets, guinea pigs, etc. But I feel this is a whole new ball game! lol! We are in it for the long run, and my husband and I love him!

 

[ZRabbits]

SirPercy&I wrote:

Thank you for your replies!!

All I know about his background is that he's been in two homes, and in the shelter. He was on the list to be euthanized, and thats when I brought him home. He has come a LONG way, already. When he is out, he will hop onto the couch, come up to our lap, then hop away. He is not afraid to come near us. He has cage aggression, but that has also with become better. He knows what "NO" means, and seems to have a little more patience with hands in his cage, haha.

I feel so naive! I've done it all! I've had ferrets, guinea pigs, etc. But I feel this is a whole new ball game! lol! We are in it for the long run, and my husband and I love him!

Yes, Bunnies are all together in a different world. It's NOTHING like raising any other animals. You REALLY need to gain their trust or it just doesn't work. You must remember they are Prey animals and their instinct to stay alive is strong.

Percy has been through two homes, which you have no idea what happened to him good or bad. His short visits to you is his way of reaching out. He's testing the waters and you are gaining in little ways. His gaining patience with you in his crate is the key of showing you are breaking through to him.

It takes TIME and PATIENCE, but it truly pays off if you go by his terms. Don't let him dominate you, but let him make the moves toward the trust. And you and husband sound perfect for Percy to come out of his shell and be Himself.

I'd gain that trust with him before getting another. Let him be Percy, then consider a companion. It will work. I have 5 that are all separately bonded to me and my husband. And can't forget Jake. They know other bunnies are there, but the trust is with us. That's how we found the way to live happily in this Awesome Bunny World.

Wishing you success.

K

 

[SirPercy&I]

Thank you so much! That eases my mind! I am in no hurry to add a second. He loves chasing our cats, haha!

Should we just continue to do what we do, and let him come to us? We will put our hand out to pet him, and he'll let us touch him, and then he'll nudge us and run away. It's definitely taking time.

I'd like to pick him up and clip his nails, but I feel like thats going to send us back 5 months, and we'll loose everything we've already accomplished? I'm so afraid of pissing him off!

 

[ZRabbits]

SirPercy&I wrote:

Thank you so much! That eases my mind! I am in no hurry to add a second. He loves chasing our cats, haha!

Should we just continue to do what we do, and let him come to us? We will put our hand out to pet him, and he'll let us touch him, and then he'll nudge us and run away. It's definitely taking time.

I'd like to pick him up and clip his nails, but I feel like thats going to send us back 5 months, and we'll loose everything we've already accomplished? I'm so afraid of p*ssing him off!

When he's out and about, let him come to you. The nudging and running away, his his way of playing. That's how my first bunnies Dobby and Kreacher were like. As a new owner I was like you, afraid of upsetting them. And believe me, I did. But they both got over it.

I started holding my bunnies in my lap, getting "hands on" (touching feet, ears, mouth). A little bit at a time. If they struggled, I said "No". Let them be only when they calmed down. Then put them back and gave a treat. Healthy treats work wonders settling an upset bunny.

Built it up gradually, introduced clippers slowly, did one toe at a time. They were upset but after a time, they understood. It's just building trust. You have to build trust with every aspect in the life of a bunny. Feeding, brushing, giving meds, even playing.

Hope this helps. Believe me, the nervousness and the worry goes away in time. All adjust. I still get grumbles, and pouty faces, but it's all good.

K