Rabbits are highly social animals that suffer significantly when kept alone, yet solitary housing is still common despite welfare evidence against it.
Solitary rabbits lack the allogrooming, social play, and proximity contact that are central to rabbit wellbeing. They display attention-seeking behaviours toward owners that cannot substitute for species-appropriate social contact. Rabbits left alone for long periods show elevated stress responses. The recommendation for pair or group housing is now standard welfare advice from all major animal welfare organisations, yet many rabbits continue to be kept alone.