Do Bunnies Need Friends?

For people, friends make life more fun. But what about rabbits? Do they actually need a buddy hopping around with them, or are they perfectly happy doing their own thing?

Turns out, rabbits are naturally social creatures. In the wild, they live in groups, groom each other, and keep each other company. That instinct doesn’t vanish just because they’re living in your living room instead of a meadow. Here’s how to tell if your bunny could use a buddy — and how to make sure the friendship actually works out.

Do bunnies get lonely?

Yes, bunnies can easily get lonely if they’re left alone for long periods of time. Think about growing up in a huge family, and then moving somewhere alone — wouldn’t you feel left out? This is why lonely rabbits will often try to get their pet parent’s attention. Still, even on their own, they can thrive if they get lots of attention from their humans. But most people don’t realize just how much socialization a pet bunny needs.

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Is it OK to have only one rabbit?

Although opinions differ in the rabbit community, it’s OK to have only one rabbit as long as they are given daily attention and socialization. Make sure to spend lots of time petting them, playing with them, and showing them affection. 

If you can’t give them enough attention and start to notice destructive behavior, this is a sign you may need to get a second rabbit.

Signs your bunny is lonely

As with people, rabbits have their moods — and when something’s off, they’ll show it. Changes in behavior, like thumping, overgrooming, or sudden grumpiness, can be your bunny’s way of saying they’re feeling lonely or stressed. If you have a single rabbit as a pet, keep an eye out for these signs. 

• Thumping: If this loud noise gets your attention, your bunny may begin doing it more if they are lonely.

• Nipping: If your calm bunny starts nipping at you more, they may need more attention.

• Digging on you: Bunnies may come up to you, stand on their hind legs, and dig at your legs with their front paws.

• Destructive behaviours: Lonely bunnies may turn to destructive behaviors such as chewing on furniture or baseboards to get your attention.

• Overgrooming: Bored rabbits can over-groom themselves or pull out chunks of their fur. Check with your vet for skin conditions, but if this continues, your bunny could be lonely.

• Withdrawn mood: A bunny who stops acting curious, stops reacting to you, or stops wandering may be depressed.

• Sudden aggression: If your bunny starts to lash out when people come near, this could be a sign of loneliness, but also of illness. You should take them to a vet.

• Lack of appetite: If your bunny starts eating less or exhibiting less enthusiasm towards food, this could mean they are lonely. If your bunny stops eating entirely, take them to urgent care immediately.

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Introducing your bunny to a friend

Although it is extremely beneficial to have two rabbits instead of one, introducing bunnies is a long — and sometimes overwhelming — process. If you can, consider adopting a pair of bonded bunnies to skip this process.

Bonded bunny pairs can support each other, groom each other, and play together when their pet parents aren’t around. However, if your bunny doesn’t already have a pal, this can be accomplished with some time and care.

“It usually takes between two weeks and two months to bond a pair of rabbits,” writes rabbit pet parent and shelter volunteer Amy Pratt on The Bunny Lady. “It’s tempting to move too quickly. Take it slow, and give your rabbits time to work out their disagreements.”

Introduce rabbits in neutral territory, and make sure everyone is already spayed or neutered. Most importantly, give them plenty of patience as they get to know each other.

Here’s how to introduce your bunny to a companion.

• Set up separate, neutral spaces: Before your bunnies can be introduced, they each need their own places. Introductions should take place in another, neutral space that neither of them considers their own.

• Take your time: The bonding process takes longer for bunnies than it may take for a dog. Don’t rush it. Let the bunnies develop a friendship naturally.

• Set up side-by-side enclosures: Let your bunnies see and smell each other for a while at first.

• Swap their enclosures daily: Temporarily move each bunny into the other’s cage or living area. This lets them explore and experience the other bunny’s scent, which familiarizes them with each other before they’re put together in the same space. This also gets them used to the idea of sharing space.

• Start small: A common bonding technique is to force rabbits into a small space, such as a laundry basket or bathtub, to get them used to each other. Then you can slowly increase the size of the space.

• Try gentle bonding: This technique embraces the idea that happy bunnies are more likely to spend time together. To try gentle bonding, let both rabbits roam in a large, controllable area with plenty of treats and toys around. Start with short stints, then slowly increase the amount of time they spend roaming together.

• Watch for behavior changes: Keep a close eye on your bunnies as they bond, looking out for negative, positive, or neutral behaviors.

Tips to help keep a lonely bunny happy

If you’re unable to adopt a second bunny due to finances or space, there are still plenty of things you can do to keep your lonely bunny happy.

• Comfortable enclosure: Make sure your bunny’s home has plenty of space, toys for chewing and pushing around, a litter box with rabbit-safe litter, soft bedding, fresh water, and good food.

• Variety of toys: Your bunny should have a good supply of different kinds of toys to play with, chew on, and push around.

• Free-roam your rabbit: Set up a room (and remove or cover electrical wires) where your rabbit can roam freely.

• Socialize with your rabbit daily: Spend several hours a day with your bunny playing, free-roaming, or hanging outside in a fenced-in area. The more social you are with your bunny, the happier they will be.

• Pet your bunny often: Sometimes the simplest solution is the easiest one.

Commonly asked questions

Is it too late to get a second rabbit?

If you have a single rabbit, it’s never too late for them to bond with another rabbit. However, do not underestimate the lengthy bonding process needed when getting a second rabbit.

Do rabbits get lonely at night?

Your rabbit could get lonely at night, especially if they aren’t receiving enough attention during the day. Never leave a rabbit alone for more than 24 hours. Rabbits are highly sociable animals and need interaction daily.

How do you know if your bunny is bonded?

You will know bunnies are bonded if you see mutual grooming between them. Most bunny parents also agree that if your bunnies can go two days without fighting, they are bonded and can be housed together.

How can I learn to care for my bunny better?

If you’re unsure if you have enough time and the right temperament to be a bunny parent, consider beginning by fostering bunnies. Shelters can guide you, and you’ll gain a deep understanding of care requirements by testing out fosters.

References

Bonding Your Rabbits. “A Home for EveryBunny: Iowa’s Rabbit Rescue.” www.iowarabbitrescue.org/bonding-your-rabbits.html.

Does Your Rabbit Need a Friend? “A Home for EveryBunny: Iowa’s Rabbit Rescue.”  www.iowarabbitrescue.org/does-my-rabbit-need-a-friend.html. 

“Everything You Need to Know about Raising a Free-Roam Rabbit.” Birds & Exotics Veterinary Clinic. www.birdexoticsvet.com/post/free-roam-rabbit-tips. 

Pratt, Amy. “A Beginner’s Guide to Bonding Rabbit from Start to Finish.” https://bunnylady.com/bonding-rabbits. 

Pratt, Amy. “Is It Okay to Have Only One Pet Rabbit?” bunnylady.com/single-rabbits.

Pratt, Amy. “Is Your Rabbit Lonely? 6 Signs to Help You Figure It Out.” bunnylady.com/lonely. 

Tedesco, Lianna. “How to Tell If Your Rabbit Feels Lonely At Home.” A-Z Animals. a-z-animals.com/articles/how-to-tell-if-your-rabbit-feels-lonely-at-home.

“Understanding Your Rabbits.” PDSA: The vet charity for pets in need. www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/rabbits/rabbit-body-language.