Rabbits are highly social animals who suffer from solitary housing. Understanding rabbit social bonds and bonding protocols is essential for providing good welfare to pet rabbits.
Rabbit social welfare is a genuinely important but frequently neglected aspect of companion rabbit care. The industry default of selling single rabbits in small hutches ignores the fundamental social biology of the species. Providing rabbits with appropriate companionship requires effort — careful bonding, neutering, adequate space — but delivers substantial welfare benefits. The evidence is clear enough that veterinary professionals now strongly recommend against solitary rabbit housing, and this should be reflected in pet store advice and regulatory guidance.