Akire
Young Bun
I had a bonded pair who were both 7 years old; Dunkin and Amber. Tragically, Amber developed what we believe was a very aggressive cancer and had to be euthanized after my best efforts to save her. They had been bonded for 6 years. I showed Dunkin the body and he groomed it a bit then left it alone. That was his goodbye.
It's been about 2 weeks since Amber passed away. When Amber was alive and very ill Dunkin was avoiding her and depressed. The first few days after she died he actually seemed happy; maybe because she wasn't suffering anymore. He was very affectionate to me as well. Now he is very depressed again. I keep the door to his pen open all the time so he has access to a bunny proofed room, but he doesn't even want to come out any.
Dunkin isn't getting any exercise right now because he is so afraid being on his own. I worry because he is old and probably arthritic, so exercise is important. He's too afraid to explore the room (even though he has many times with Amber) and will tiptoe around a bit before going back in the cage. I try to show him it's okay, but without Amber he has zero confidence. I see now he got a lot of comfort from her.
He has a teddy bear in his cage that I had rubbed on Amber. He loves to groom it and snuggle next to it, which is so heartbreaking!
Thankfully, he is still eating well. My question is: Should I wait longer before seeing if he would bond to another rabbit or should I start now?
It's been about 2 weeks since Amber passed away. When Amber was alive and very ill Dunkin was avoiding her and depressed. The first few days after she died he actually seemed happy; maybe because she wasn't suffering anymore. He was very affectionate to me as well. Now he is very depressed again. I keep the door to his pen open all the time so he has access to a bunny proofed room, but he doesn't even want to come out any.
Dunkin isn't getting any exercise right now because he is so afraid being on his own. I worry because he is old and probably arthritic, so exercise is important. He's too afraid to explore the room (even though he has many times with Amber) and will tiptoe around a bit before going back in the cage. I try to show him it's okay, but without Amber he has zero confidence. I see now he got a lot of comfort from her.
He has a teddy bear in his cage that I had rubbed on Amber. He loves to groom it and snuggle next to it, which is so heartbreaking!
Thankfully, he is still eating well. My question is: Should I wait longer before seeing if he would bond to another rabbit or should I start now?