[Purple-Hops]

Hm. Bunnies are social things that crave the attention and special grooming of a buddy. Now, granted, I only have one atm. My Acacia will likely remain a loner for her years due to a number of reasons which aren't suitable for your thread. Kaysh is also 4 and seeing that buns can live to be 10-12 I wouldn't think getting him a friend now is a bad idea. IF you're prepared for the extra costs of food, toys, vet etc. . .

I am also a student and living from loan to loan another bunny is financially out of the question for me. Hay and food costs don't seem like that much but another mouth to feed is still another mouth to feed.

Factor in a couple of things, Sho-Nuff (love the gangsta name ) is a neutered male, so he'll probably couple best with a spayed female. M-F bonds are the easiest. If you get her from a rescue you may ask for them to take Sho-Nuff and a volunteer will take them both for a week to a neutral terf to bond them. Someone with experience will be able to master this no prob. A couple people here did that with their bunnies.

Since Sho-Nuff is so trusted without a cage NEVER assume that another bunny will be. I don't know why he doesn't chew things that aren't his but I know from experience after time and time again that bunnies chew when you least expect it. "Oh, Acacia is so good she never chews cords" I boasted. Then while I was packing to move I found a chewed cable cord (unused), and now my computer and old lamp cords are nicely striped in green electrical tape. Then I learned to keep them out of reach always. No problem- walls, baseboards, wallpaper, stool legs, table legs, clothes, book spines, book cases, doors, carpet, tiles, basically anything within reach of a bunny is fair game. Bringing another bunny into the mix would mean 2 things: 1. She will most likely chew bc its Sho-Nuff that's the odd ball, 9-10 (I guess) bunnies chew everything. They just do. 2. A new bunny will change Sho-Nuff and he will gain new habits off of her.

I Don't like cages. I stopped caging my bunny when she was less than a year old. I don't like how restrictive they are. I get that. But I do reccommend setting up NIC barriers to totally absolutely guarantee a bunny proof room, rather than just "trust" him. I trusted Acacia up till a couple weeks ago when she climbed some clothes and got at my hair straightener. I didn't notice the extent of the damage until it blew up in my face. O.O

What I'm saying is, really think about the pros and cons of getting another bunny. It can work, but you'll have to make some changes with how you house them. You don't have to cage them totally, to keep them safe (especially since you don't sleep at your place when bunnies are most active <and baddest>) I would recommend making a NIC pen to contain them so you know they're totally safe. Acacia is only locked in her closet pen while we are out at school and asleep (though sometimes she sneaks out somehow -_-)


Bunnies can live perfectly fine alone as well. They will obviously lack the benefits of a buddy to groom their heads and talk to and nuzzle with. My bunny has always been a loner. She lived in the same house with a male before who only wanted humps and she lived with a female -separate pens- but they hated each other and I could never get them to agree with each other. Bunnies are picky and may or may not take to a bunny YOU pick out. Be careful, get in contact with a rescue and good luck!

 

[Purple-Hops]

Your welcome
Consider this: If you get a new bunny friend you will most definitely have to be around for supervision for a couple weeks, if not months, to moniter their behavior.

I would attribute his jealousy to the hamster in a less anopomorphic way. Bunnies do get jealous when you, as their only current buddy, is spending time with someone else, but for the most part he was displaying fear and stress to a new changing environment. Aside from his old owner's voice, he simply doesn't care or remember him. Bunnies are just simple structured prey animals- no room to fit in complex emotions and feelings bc of their naturally short lifespan. Now that they live longer better lives indoors, evolution has taken its grip but nothing considerable yet. His excessive pooping is bc he is marking his territory. You'll see more of it with a new buddy!! Successfully litter trained bunnies don't even do this once they are fully acclimated and comfortable with their surroundings.

As for the wires, NIC squares lined against the wall with the wires behind it should suffice. They have short nuzzles and shouldn't be able to get at them too hard. Unplugged wires still are fair game. He may get the urge to check it out some day, chew it, get bored, move on.. When you come home you should be checking on them just in case! Hardware stores sell PVC piping. It's sooo cheap! Get it cute there and feed all your wires through it and viola! If bunny chews it he at least will not get electrocuted on the tv cords etc. Milk crates and PVC is the cheapest way to re-design your entertainment area, rather than buying a new stand.

Generally bunny proofing includes keeping the animal contained in a safe place while you are out. Hiding cords, plastic, plants and anything else that isn't made for small animals should be contained. The House Rabbit Society has LOTS of info on proofing, diet, toys, etc. http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-a=00062824-sp00000000&sp-q=bunny+proofing for ideas. I'm still apprehensive on the 100% free range thing TBH. A new bunny would definitely need a pen, at least. You can make one out of NIC (2 high should suffice) or buy a grossly over priced one from a pet store made for rabbits or puppies. Those are made high enough but don't include a shelf, which bunnies like to hide under and jump up on. Also, watch out for baseboards, legs of things, doors, anything on the floor, if they can jump on the furniture then watch out for anything within reach of that as well. Why I would suggest a temporary pen for while you are gone.

If you're going to be gone for most of the time as a student then ask yourself if bringing another animal in the house is necessary at all? I'm not aware of the hours involved here but lonliness is a silent killer. I mean, if you're there every single day to play and nourish each pet and spend quality time then sure. But stopping in to feed, say hi and leave again would only make the 2 bonded bunnies feel less inclined to come visit you when you come to visit them... Understand? A single bunny needs a lot of stimulation and attention. A bonded pair requires less human interaction but still not ideal if you'll be gone out f the house all day. The full needs of bunny(s) won't be met. Getting him a buddy just to fill the gap that you aren't there will not make him more of your friend, as some people here with bonded bunnies have noticed, once you get them a friend they care less for the human.. Even if it is in smaller doses. So you'll be losing your friend, and become more of a slave to him!!

-->Should I keep her in a cage outside Sho’Nuff’s "carpet island"
*Do you want to cage one and not the other? If they are to be bonded they will need to be together to nuzzle and groom.

-->Should I make a second area like Sho’Nuffs little “carpet Island”
*If you at least build a pen around it. Bunnies prefer to feel carpet under their feet since they lack pads for grip. Some hate tiles so hard and will just freak out.

--> If I do make a second "carpet island" for a lady friend. Should I put her 'space' in a pen like they make for babies / or puppies.
*Again, if you want them to be really bonded they will have to share the same space. changes will have to be made to accommodate them both.


Best of luck on your desicion. It is up to you but that's why we're here! I had bunnies for only 4.5 years and it's been a roller coaster of good times and destruction. Love and heart ache. Keep us updated, I hope this info helped