How to deal with a newly single bun

[Orenoko]

After losing Rupert yesterday Lilac is now on her own. She has always been a bun's bun and preferred the company of her own kind, she is 9 now so I am leaning towards not getting a companion for her at this stage. I wanted some tips on what people do when they have a solo bun to provide enrichment?

She doesn't like toys, never has, but she will interact with toys and puzzles to get her food. I used a puzzle to hide food this morning, a small Kong, and some toilet rolls.

Am wondering if I should try teaching her a few simple tricks to help keep her kind busy and help her interact a bit more? She spends a lot of time sleeping as she's an old lady but I do worry about her when I'm at work (2-3 days a week) when she'll be on her own.

 

[joey&boo]

When Boo lost Joey I made her work hard for her food (poor girl had to have it presented under her nose when J when she was in a couple as joey stole & didn't share) - so forage, nuggets etc hidden places. Stacking cups are good fun & snuffle mats. I like hugger beds - I think they sleep feeling more secure in them I'd also hand feed some of her food every day. You might find she gets more attached to you. Mousey was always a rabbity rabbit until she was alone, then our status definitely elevated in her eyes

 

[Orenoko]

When Boo lost Joey I made her work hard for her food (poor girl had to have it presented under her nose when J when she was in a couple as joey stole & didn't share) - so forage, nuggets etc hidden places. Stacking cups are good fun & snuffle mats. I like hugger beds - I think they sleep feeling more secure in them I'd also hand feed some of her food every day. You might find she gets more attached to you. Mousey was always a rabbity rabbit until she was alone, then our status definitely elevated in her eyes

Oooh yes I do have some stacking cups so I'll use them. I'm just lying on the floor next to her atm, she's not fussed but I'm hoping she'll think of me as more of a friend the more I do it. Thinking of switching up her feeding routine so that she gets more small bits throughout the day that she has to work for. The good thing is she goes all around the house so I can hide things everywhere so she won't find it all at once. When Rupert went blind I had to just put the food in one place so that he could find it so now it's the total opposite!

 

[joey&boo]

Oooh yes I do have some stacking cups so I'll use them. I'm just lying on the floor next to her atm, she's not fussed but I'm hoping she'll think of me as more of a friend the more I do it. Thinking of switching up her feeding routine so that she gets more small bits throughout the day that she has to work for. The good thing is she goes all around the house so I can hide things everywhere so she won't find it all at once. When Rupert went blind I had to just put the food in one place so that he could find it so now it's the total opposite!

great you've stacking cups already. I hope she's doing ok

 

[Orenoko]

great you've stacking cups already. I hope she's doing ok

She's a little quieter than usual but other than that seems OK, she is sitting in some of Rupert's spots so I'm sure she knows what happened. Just trying to keep her busy which she doesn't appreciate!

 

[InspectorMorse]

Some Rescues will ‘lend’ a Rabbit out to be a companion for a bereaved Rabbit when the owner does not want to commit to more Rabbits in the longterm for whatever reason. The ‘loan’ will mean that the Rescue will definitely take the loan Rabbit back when the other elderly Rabbit passes. Thus the owner is not caught in a cycle of obtaining Rabbits if that is not what they want/ what they can cope with.

 

[Orenoko]

Some Rescues will ‘lend’ a Rabbit out to be a companion for a bereaved Rabbit when the owner does not want to commit to more Rabbits in the longterm for whatever reason. The ‘loan’ will mean that the Rescue will definitely take the loan Rabbit back when the other elderly Rabbit passes. Thus the owner is not caught in a cycle of obtaining Rabbits if that is not what they want/ what they can cope with.

Thanks Jane, I might have a think about that once we've had some time with just Lilac to see how she adapts. Last time she was bereaved she definitely didn't cope well but she was much younger then. She also wasn't the easiest to bond when we got Rupert and am mindful of her age when considering that too. She's been binkying around a bit this morning bless her.

 

[Orenoko]

Little update on Lilac, she isn't eating as vigorously shall we say as when Rupert was here, I think it could be due to lack of competition? I'm hiding all of her food in toilet rolls etc which she does seem to enjoy. I was wondering does anyone with a solo bun leave a radio on if they're out for long periods? I was watching her on the camera when I was at work the other day and wondered if she would benefit from it. I know people do it for dogs but wasn't sure about rabbits!

 

[Omi]

Little update on Lilac, she isn't eating as vigorously shall we say as when Rupert was here, I think it could be due to lack of competition? I'm hiding all of her food in toilet rolls etc which she does seem to enjoy. I was wondering does anyone with a solo bun leave a radio on if they're out for long periods? I was watching her on the camera when I was at work the other day and wondered if she would benefit from it. I know people do it for dogs but wasn't sure about rabbits!

Not sure about leaving a radio on, but perhaps she would appreciate a cuddly toy to snuggle up to.

 

[Orenoko]

Not sure about leaving a radio on, but perhaps she would appreciate a cuddly toy to snuggle up to.

I did wonder if she'd like one, I have a few so I'm sure I can spare her one and see if she takes to it. My friend actually knitted me a mini Lilac so could even try that haha.

 

[Omi]

I did wonder if she'd like one, I have a few so I'm sure I can spare her one and see if she takes to it. My friend actually knitted me a mini Lilac so could even try that haha.

I reckon a mini Lilac should be perfect