Expect your rabbit to be lonely. If you only have one rabbit, you can give it some companionship, but it will still be lonely at night or when you are away at work. Sometimes a female rabbit will be fine on its own.
Lonely rabbits may overeat, pull at their fur, or become hyperactive and/or angry. Signs of this could be them chewing at rugs or carpets, gnawing furniture, or destroying toys in their hutch.
Anything longer than 24 hours is too long – and even that is pushing the solitude limits of rabbits. Rabbits are social creatures and require about as much, if not more, interaction and maintenance as dogs do and more than some cats need. Considering rabbits to be low-maintenance pets does them a grave disservice.
Pet rabbits can be kept alone if they are given daily attention and socialization from their human companions. It's best if single rabbits are kept as house pets so you can spend ample amounts of time petting and playing with them.
Bunnies are social animals, and, with a few rare exceptions, they need rabbit company. However, if properly and carefully introduced, some rabbits can bond with other animals, such as cats and dogs. You can also keep a solo rabbit, as long as you provide several hours per day of social interaction.
Because rabbits are social animals, they will often get depressed if they are left alone for too long.
Mixed-sex pairs usually work best, so if you are thinking of getting rabbits for the first time, it's advisable to get a male and female, although same-sex pairs are not uncommon. Obviously, if you take on an already bonded pair, then it's all been done for you!
Any combination of rabbits can live together, whether they are both males, both females, or female and male. Male with female coupling is the most natural because this is how they typically form in the wild.
HRS Colorado Chapter Manager Nancy LaRoche writes, “Pairs are much easier to care for, get into far less trouble, are happier, and tend to relate better to people. Boredom leads to bunny-in-trouble, and pairs don't get nearly as bored because they are so busy relating to each other.
Allowing your rabbit to roam freely through your home comes with its own unique challenges, but it is definitely achievable with a bit of effort and education on how to take care of your pet rabbit. Best of all, it can be incredibly rewarding, creating a more intimate and open bond with your pet.
Even if you have a pair of rabbits, 24 hours is the maximum time they should be alone.
If your rabbits look tucked up and quiet with their chins tucked in and noses not twitching this can be a sure sign of them feeling unhappy or stressed, as this is not a normal position for a rabbit. Moving or running away. Your rabbits may turn and move away from you (or each other) if they're unhappy.
Human companionship:
If you don't want a second rabbit, you can help ease your rabbit's loneliness yourself: Give your rabbit at least an hour out of its cage each day. Spend some time playing with it at its own level on the floor. Rabbits love to dig, knock things over and toss things in the air.
But we all love our rabbits here, and we want to know if they can understand that we love them. Rabbits are social and intelligent creatures. They'll know that you love them; you just have to learn how to say “I love you!” in a way they'll understand.
In general, rabbits will be happier in pairs than when they are single. A second rabbit can prevent depression, and even help to minimize boredom and troublemaking behaviors. However, enough social interaction from humans or other pets is also okay if getting a second rabbit is not possible.
Rabbits are social creatures and live a longer and happier life when bonded. They provide emotional support to each other when one bunny is sick, bored, lonely, or stressed. Once your bunny is bonded it doesn't take any extra work to care for two bunnies. They share a house, food, water, and litter box.
Same-sex pairs can be tricky, but it is possible to keep two males or two females if they have grown up together. You'll need to find either a pair of siblings, or two rabbits from different litters both between 8 and 10 weeks of age. Same-sex pairs must never be separated, even for short periods of time.
First, you'll want to make sure that both rabbits are spayed/ neutered prior to bonding as it will make the process easier. While female – male bonding tends to be easier, you can certainly bond two females or two males together.
Typically, male rabbits do make better pets because they crave attention and interact more with their owners. They are relaxed in character rather than intense so potentially less complicated than females. Many owners choosing to keep a rabbit for the first time are advised to try a male.
Rabbits generally live for 5 to 8 years depending on their environment and breed, but they can live for as long as 12 years. If you decide to purchase a rabbit, make sure you are prepared to care for them that long.
Does your rabbit miss you? Many people wonder if their rabbit will miss them when they're gone. You may worry that your rabbit will be lonely. If you spend a lot of time with your rabbit, they will undoubtedly miss you when you're away, the same way you miss them.
A rabbit who is angry will quickly twitch their tail up and down. Beware the rabbit holding their tail up, it is frequently followed by spraying. Rabbits who are not spayed and neutered will spread their scent by spraying everything in sight. They may also do this when they are upset or simply dislike a person.
Objects to play with or throw - such as untreated straw, wicker, sea-grass mats and baskets, balls and plastic flower pots. Solid plastic baby toys such as 'key rings', rattles, stacking cups and some robust cat and parrot toys can make good rabbit toys.