Companion bunny?

[WildFire]

Hiya. I currently have a 2 year old female polish rabbit, and well, she is lonely! Her buddy died awhile back. Do any of you know what breed of rabbit would be a good match for her? I want one that can keep up with her energy but also is not to large that he can hurt her. Also, if you have any new bunnies for sale that you think would work, I might be interested. Thanks for your help,
Wild

 

[MiniRexGirl]

Where do you live?

 

[WildFire]

Four corners area

Wild

 

[ChickenPotPie]

It can be difficult (and sometimes impossible - especially with females) to safely bring in another rabbit to her. Mother/daughter pairs or those together since birth (spayed and neutered) may be just fine together but domestic rabbits are, by nature, territorial. Intact females can be fiercely territorial and may injure or kill a new rabbit brought into her territory. They really don't need a need another bunny "friend".

That said, it can be done but I always recommend to single rabbit owners who'd like companionship for their bunny that they consider a different animal to be the companion. Rabbits can be so friendly that, as a basic rule of thumb - if it doesn't try to eat them, they'll bond with it. LOL This broadens your choice of options.

Domestic rabbits, though small and considered a prey animal, are rarely afraid of cats once they are grown. Usually, it's the cat that fears the unafraid rabbit (my intense hunting cat will run from a full grown Jersey Wooly rabbit (2 1/2 - 3 lbs). Starting with a kitten will give both you and your rabbit time to train it to be a good companion to your rabbit.

I know several dog/rabbit pairs that are inseparable but the size, breed, and training of the dog must be carefully considered. Guinea pigs may not be a good choice, though. Rabbits' and cavies' dietary needs vary enough that it may be better to just keep them in separate quarters.

Then again, rabbits will happily bond with their human, too! The fact that rabbits are diurnal (most active mornings and evenings) make them perfect pets for students or those that have a 9 - 5 job because the rabbits are active when their owners are normally home. Signs that she is bonding or already bonded to you would be licking/kisses (grooming), submissive signs (lowers head when you pet her), or running circles around you (a courting gesture by both males and females).

I had a Red Satin Angora once that was so in love with every member of my family that he'd practically fall out his cage when we opened the door. I found it hard to walk around the house with out tripping on him for all his circling around my feet. Ah, l'amour!

Hope that helps in giving your some "outside the box" ideas for a companion.

 

[cowgirl22]

If your bunny has been lonley for a while it might not like other bunnies anymore.

 

[WildFire]

To the last two posters-

Emma gets along with evrything, other rabbits included. I had a lop ear for a while and she just adored it. Besides, the other bunny would not be in the same cage, I know that would cause trouble. It would just play in the rabbit run with her. I've read that rabbits are territorial, yes. But they also really enjoy the company of other rabbits, as the breed of rabbit which all domestic rabbits are from, mates for life. Thank you though for your opinion...I don't want to sound like I'm throwing it back at your face cause I'm not. So please don't take this offensively.

 

[ChickenPotPie]

If you're set on getting a rabbit as a companion then you're set on it. I hope you find just the right one.

Consider going to a local shelter that has an employee or volunteer that is experienced in rabbit behavior/behavior modification. Bring your rabbit to meet potential companions. The experienced employee/volunteer should be happy to bring out various adoptable rabbits and help evaluate their body language in order to give you the best bet for a peaceful match.

Do keep an open mind about it, though. The rabbit that your doe likes most may not be the one that you prefer. lol While screening and matching for a shelter, I once went through 6 rabbits before the potential adopter was open to looking at the rabbit I felt would make a great match for her rabbit (based on dominance, sex, age, temperaments of the two). It was not the one the adopter wanted but the rabbits hit it off immediately and lived happily ever after. LOL Alternatively, an experienced ARBA breeder may be willing to take the time to help you.

Always do what it best for your rabbit. A fellow shelter volunteer quickly found out that her rabbit considered the entire house as her territory and she had to return the new rabbit, that she'd adopted, in order to save it's life.

Tip: If you doe is not already spayed then get her spayed. Not only will it prolong the life of a non-breeding doe but it will decrease the chances that hormones will get in the way of a good relationship with the new rabbit you bring into you home.

Good luck!