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Lone rabbit

beki

Mama Doe
After yesterday's loss of reggie, unfortunately this leaves ruby as a lone bunny, she hasn't been alone for 5 years. I was wondering what everyone's views were on her being a lone bunny for a little while. I don't want to feel like I am just rushing out and replacing reggie so I was planning on waiting until after Christmas before looking for a new friend. This will give me chance to improve my set up also to hopefully pass a home check for a rescue. If I bring her indoors for a bit of socialisation each evening (rubbish outdoor lights so can't really sit outside with her) do you think this will be ok?

I can also see bonding as a problem, she is a very dominant bunny, I was lucky with reggie as he was very happy to get on with it and let her be in charge, I don't expect to be so lucky again.
 
Sorry that you lost Reggie. It must be strange for her being alone suddenly. Would it be possible to have her inside for the rest of the winter? Changes of temperature are not good for them (as you may well know). She could see more of you and be cosier. I realise that it may not be something that you could offer her.

Improving your set up sounds great. I hope you manage to find a lovely friend for her when the time comes. It is hard to know when to go for it. I must say that the cold makes me thing that it would be good for her to have a conpanion to stuggle up to. Guess you just have to watch her and see what you think is best. Not easy I know.
 
Could you maybe move her inside?

Alfred is a single rabbit and will be for the foreseeable future, but I wouldn't want to have him outside and alone. Alf has been a single bunny for a while now so is used to it, but for a bun like Ruby I can see it may be confusing if she's been with company for the last five years. I also think it just depends on the type of rabbit - Alfie never was a bunny who sought snuggles and grooms, and seems perfectly happy with me for his companion. Ruby, however, may get lonely after a while if she relied on Reggie.

At the end of the day, if you're not ready to have another rabbit, then obviously don't get one just for the sake of it. Ruby will manage a few months - yes, she may be a little bit lonely, but you can make up for that with snuggles by yourself. I think it's just one of those 'wait and see' situations as to how she will cope.
 
Moving her inside isn't really an option at the moment as much as I would like it. She is a very naughty rabbit and will chew everything if given the chance and she will chase my cats so she can't free range. The only suitable room is the kitchen diner for her at the moment and the cats go in there when we are at work and at night, as she can't be trusted not to eat the furniture and terrorise the cats she would have to be kept in a dog crate and space is a bit tight for it to be a permanent feature for the whole winter :(

I wish I had a bigger house !

So far she seems fine, she did love snuggling up to reggie in the hutch though and say with him a lot but give her a bit of free range time in the house or patio and she would be like "reggie who?"
 
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