You should get two rabbits if possible because they are highly social animals that thrive with a companion for grooming, playing, and safety; a single rabbit needs significant human interaction and enrichment, but a bonded pair provides constant companionship, leading to happier, calmer, and less destructive pets, especially if you're away often. Adopting a pre-bonded, spayed/neutered pair is often easiest to avoid fighting and unwanted litters, with a neutered male and female being a common, easy-to-bond pairing.
Rabbits are social animals and we should focus on providing what's best for them and not what suits us, a rabbit can sure survive on their own but they are truly flock animals and do better in pairs so yes. It is recommended to have at least 2 bunnies together.
The 3-3-3 rule for rabbits (and other pets) is a guideline for adjusting to a new home: 3 Days for the rabbit to feel overwhelmed and hide, 3 Weeks to start settling in and showing personality, and 3 Months to feel truly at home and build a strong bond. It helps adopters manage expectations, understand that fear and skittishness are normal, and encourages patience as the bunny decompresses in its new environment, emphasizing providing a safe space and routine.
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. In any case, our bunnies want to be part of family life, whether indoors or out.
Working out if your rabbit could be lonely
Rabbits are naturally social animals and companionship is important to them. In the wild, rabbits live in family groups which can reach up to 30 in one warren! Mammal Society. If they are kept alone, they may begin to show some abnormal behaviour, especially if left without company for long periods of time.
Rabbits are prey animals; that is, they are the ones preyed on by the carnivorous animals (raccoons, dogs, wolves, cats). Raccoons have been known to scare a rabbit to death just by crawling over his cage, never making contact. Your rabbit depends on you to keep him safe.
Providing they have plenty of nutritious feeding hay, their daily portion of rabbit nuggets, some fresh greens and water – and they are in a safe, secure, spacious enclosure – they can be left for a day, up to 12 hours,” advises Burgess in-house vet Dr Suzanne Moyes.
Bunnies are active and love to explore
To satisfy their natural curiosity, rabbits should be allowed several hours of daily exercise and enrichment outside of their cage (don't forget to bunny-proof your home!) and be offered toys and treats.
Here are some of the best rabbit toys our vets suggest:
Rabbits need unlimited access to grass and hay, so they shouldn't ever be left without food. However, if it's an emergency and there's no other choice, then they can go up to 12 hours without eating.
Put one litter tray in your bunny's cage or near his bed and a second in a corner of the room or between a piece of furniture and the wall. Leave a few droppings and a piece of urine-soaked paper inside the trays so your rabbit gets the idea. If your bunny hops into the tray, give him lots of praise and maybe a treat.
Rabbits are most active in the morning and evening, and sleep during the day and night. Rabbits need at minimum 3-5 hours of exercise daily outside the cage. They are naturally curious and enjoy opportunities to explore. Start off with a small area of your house, allowing only as much freedom as they can handle.
Male rabbits are generally friendlier and more likely to bond with their owners early on. They're also known for their trusting nature, making them a delight to interact with. On the other hand, female rabbits can be a bit more stubborn and less inclined to trust immediately.
As sociable animals, rabbits appreciate constant companionship and in the wild you would rarely find a rabbit alone. To mimic their natural behaviour, it is always a good idea to keep your pet rabbit with a friend to avoid them feeling lonely and unhappy.
Young rabbits disperse from the nest at 15-20 days old. By three weeks of age, they are on their own in the wild and no longer require a mother's care. This means that young rabbits found on the ground may be completely healthy. Even though they look small, they are not orphans and do not need any human intervention.
Redirect him to his toys if he is “acting up.” Young bunnies are especially exuberant and need to be properly directed. Bored rabbits become naughty rabbits. If you're not around to talk to or pet your rabbit as you prepare dinner, watch TV or just read, your rabbit will become very bored.
Rabbits aren't “starter pets”—they're high-maintenance, long-term commitments. While healthy adult rabbits will typically use a litterbox to do their business, they do a lot of business—and you will have to keep their box clean by changing it at least every other day.
Pet rabbits should always have good quality hay and/or grass available to eat, as it should be the main part of their diet. Give them at least one bundle of good quality hay every day – it should be as big as they are! Their digestive systems need grass and/or hay to function properly.
As a rule, a rabbit should be able to take at least three hops in a row from one end to the other. It can be difficult to buy purpose-built accommodation measuring these dimensions but there's no reason why you can't build your own! Rabbits are a prey species and need to be able to hide from things that scare them.
While rabbits don't get psychological depression in the same way as humans, their behaviour can become subdued when they are ill or kept under stressful conditions. A change in your rabbit's behaviour can indicate many things: They're lonely. They're in pain or sick.
No rabbit should be caged without the option to take exercise, and house bunnies are no exception. Rabbits, by nature, are active at night and during the day, taking naps as and when it suits them, so it is not acceptable to shut a rabbit into a cage even at night or when you are out.
15 Common Mistakes Rabbit Owners Make That You Should Avoid
It's easy to take care of them, but you should keep in mind the things these little guys do NOT like the most.
There are a few zoonoses reported from pet rabbits, but nothing really significant to normal healthy people: Cheyletiella fur mites are commonly seen in pet rabbits; this condition is often known as 'walking dandruff'. They can cause a mild rash in humans which is often itchy.