Rabbits are highly social animals that live in groups in the wild. Keeping them in pairs or groups is now recognised as a welfare requirement, but bonding rabbits successfully requires patience, knowledge and careful management.
The shift from viewing rabbits as solitary pets to understanding them as social animals requiring companionship represents a significant welfare advance. The Rabbit Welfare Association recommends rabbits always be kept with at least one compatible companion. Bonding failures are common and can result in fighting injuries, but with appropriate introduction protocols — neutral territory, controlled encounters, gradual proximity increases — successful long-term bonds are achievable for most rabbits. The welfare benefits of successful bonding are substantial and lasting.