We need advise on buying a second rabbit

We brought 2 rabbits a week ago last Sunday and after a week one of them died and I fear it may have been bullied by the other as it was much smaller when we brought them even though we were told they were both 6 weeks old.

The rabbits were presents from my sister to my son and daughter for their birthdays and the one which died was my son's so we told him we would buy him another one this Saturday.

Can anyone advise if it is ok to put a new rabbit in with one which has been on its own for a week and what should we look out for.

Hi, and welcome to the forum. I'm so sorry to hear about your rabbit, but think are are a couple of things to consider. I'm assuming you bought both bunnies from the same place, in which case, do you know what he died of? If not, did your vet offer a pm? I'd wait a while before getting another in case the remaining bunny succumbs to whatever killed the first. Apart from that I think it's important that your son understands that a rabbit is not just one of those possessions that can be replaced just like that. He must be very upset and needs time to get over the loss of his bunny. It is worth considering getting the second rabbit from a rescue when you feel the time's right. Do you know what sex the remaining rabbit is? If so get one of the opposite sex and get both neutered. If you get one from a rescue it will come already vaccinated and neutered and they may even do the bonding for you.
If you decide to go ahead with a pet shop bunny take it up to your vet for a complete check before attempting to put it with the other. Bear in mind that although they may get along fine while they are young you may have problems when the hormones kick in . Heck this all seems very negative and I don't mean it to be, and I think it's brilliant that you've taken the trouble to come on here and ask for advice.

Hiya, welcome :wave:

Poor bunny - I personally wouldn't have accepted a 6 week old rabbit.

There are plenty of rabbit rescue's around the UK (tons more than I ever thought when I joined here) they have some gorgeous breeds and provide bonding services to find the best match for your bun.

I wouldn't get any rabbit from anywhere as could result in more fighting - rabbits are picky to their partners

Would also agree with the above post - please don't get a bunny out of a spur of the moment or just to replace the bun - but glad you came to the right place for advice.

Hope this helps.

Do you know of any rescue places near South Woodford in East London.

Welcome to the bunny forum. There is a wealth of help and info amongst the pages here, and I would suggest you could learn an awful lot by browsing the site. You will then be armed with plenty of info to help find your next bun.

The bunny rehome dept here - http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/ has a search rabbits section, (look down the menu on the left) where you can search for bunnies in your location.
It is very rewarding to give a home to an unwanted bunny - there are hundreds in all ages, colours and sizes, also look in the rabbits in need section here, http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=32 where there are hundreds more. These buns will already be vet-checked, and most neutered and vacc'd before they find a new home.
The folks on here are full of good advice, and the rescue folk who rehome buns are good at bonding bunnies, so might help you bond a new bun to your remaining bunny. A bonded pair are usually one of each sex (but not always) who have been neutered, and live together happily without fighting.

Hope you find a lovely bunster to give a home to.

And it is an awful shame you were sold a 6 week old baby - who should have stayed with his mum til he was at least 10 weeks old.

Good luck, and stay in touch, we'll be happy to help with any other query.....

Jason Miller said:

Do you know of any rescue places near South Woodford in East London.

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There is Rabbit Rehome http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/
List of other Rabbit Rescues: http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/centres.asp

RSPCA, The Blue Cross and there are some other users on here have Rescue centres for buns, including:

ARC (in West London) www.animalrescueandcare.org.uk

x

Jason Miller said:

Do you know of any rescue places near South Woodford in East London.

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Hi :wave: welcome to the forum

I'm really sorry to hear about your loss, but I rather think that 6 weeks was too young for the babies to have been taken away from their mother, so it's death may have been related this as it may have not been strong enough.

The first thing I would do now is take the surviving one to a vet for a thorough checkup. There is an excellent rabbit savy vet in Woodford Road, South Woodford who I use. They will also be able to give you the best advice and details of where there may be some rabbits needing homes locally.

Good Luck with your surviving bun, and if you need any more details please feel free to pm me.

Also just thought I would share want I was told to do with my young sons when I had to have one of our cats to sleep which was very young.

My boys are 3 and 5 so we had to do the picture way but if yours are older then you can get them to write a letter.
Right how it goes is you get them to write a letter or draw and picture or both on a piece of paper to there beloved pet to say good bye then you get a ballon and tie ribbon at the end and attach the writing or picture to that then you get the child to say good bye and let the ballon go and tell the child that the letter is going to the angels now who will give it to your pet and will look after him/her.
Then a a few days later put a letter through the door from the angels saying that what ever your pets name was is ok and that they are taking very good care of him/ her

I did it with my two and they seemed to understand more. hope it helps with your kids

kelly-joy said:

Also just thought I would share want I was told to do with my young sons when I had to have one of our cats to sleep which was very young.

My boys are 3 and 5 so we had to do the picture way but if yours are older then you can get them to write a letter.
Right how it goes is you get them to write a letter or draw and picture or both on a piece of paper to there beloved pet to say good bye then you get a ballon and tie ribbon at the end and attach the writing or picture to that then you get the child to say good bye and let the ballon go and tell the child that the letter is going to the angels now who will give it to your pet and will look after him/her.
Then a a few days later put a letter through the door from the angels saying that what ever your pets name was is ok and that they are taking very good care of him/ her
I did it with my two and they seemed to understand more. hope it helps with your kids

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What a lovely way to explain to very young children

Jason Miller said:

Do you know of any rescue places near South Woodford in East London.

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Give Goddard Vet Surgery a ring in South Woodford - 0208 989 7744 (The one bunniemum also recommended).
They often have rabbits for rehoming on their notice board and specialise in buns so may know some rescues who have some in at the moment

I would def go for an already neutered and vaccinated rescue bun to introduce to your youngster in a few weeks when he/she is a little bigger

Starlight Animal Sanctuary isn't far from you and you could PM her as she is a member here