Getting my bunny another playmate as our very much loved bunny has just died.

Question
Yesterday we had to have our family pet bunny (Bunchy) put down as he has been so poorly with an inner ear desease for about 2 months now, after trying different antibiotics and having no luck with bunchy getting any better, he had a fit yesterday and the vet said it would be kinder to put him to sleep.  The problem is, apart from me being heartbroken myself, is that now Hunny (our other bunny) is left on her own and is hiding away and obviously missing bunchy so much.  The vet said we should get another one, so I need to know when?,  should it be now rather than later?  Bunchy (who died) was a castrated male, so should I get a female or male rabbit to go with Hunny (Hunny is female and hasnt been neuted)  Please come back to me with an answer as I dont know how to comfort poor hunny.

Kind Regards,

Anita Bruce.

Answer
Dear Anita,

I'm very sorry for your terrible loss.  I hope it was really necessary for Bunchy to be put to sleep, and that the vet you saw was very experienced with rabbits.  If the condition is head tilt, it is treatable.  I know it's too late for me to help now, but you might want to read:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/tilt.html

and

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/culture.html

in case anything like this ever happens again (I hope not!).

I am glad you're taking good care of Hunny and knowing that she is grieving.  It is *very* important that she be allowed to visit with her mate's body so she knows he's really gone.  Rabbits do understand death, and she needs this closure if she is to become well again.  I hope it's not too late.

While she's grieving, give her extra love and keep a close eye on her eating and defecation habits.  Rabbits who are closely bonded can actually grieve themselves to death over the loss of a mate, so it will be up to you to prevent her from feeling that depressed.  

Before you introduce her to a new bunny, it would be best if she were spayed.  This will make the bonding process go more smoothly, and it will also remove her very high risk of uterine cancer:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/spay.html

You can find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

It's very important that you let Hunny choose her own new friend.  Rabbits are extremely picky, and if you just bring home a bunny she is as likely to attack it or go into a deep depression because of the "intruder" as she is to like him.  A neutered male is probably your best bet, and if you contact your local rabbit rescuer you can arrange a "blind date" with several of the eligible bachelors so Hunny can find the friend she likes the best.  It can be a delicate process, and you can find bonding tips here:

http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-a=00062824-sp00000000&sp-q=bonding

I hope this helps get you started on the road to recovery. I am so sorry about your loss, and I hope a new bunny friend will help you start to heal from losing Bunchy, who can never be replaced.  Every bunny is unique, and you can expect the new bunny to be someone you've never met before!  ;)

Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana