Rabbits are highly social animals that suffer from isolation, making companion rabbit bonding an important welfare consideration for rabbit keepers.
A solitary rabbit in an otherwise empty environment is a welfare concern that many owners do not recognize because rabbits can appear content while being lonely. The absence of behavioral problems does not indicate positive wellbeing. Rabbits with companions show lower stress hormones, more active exploration, and a richer behavioral repertoire than those housed alone. The bonding process, while sometimes challenging, produces a pair that provides each other with consistent social enrichment throughout their lives. When one bonded rabbit dies, the survivor should be allowed to see the body and then be assessed for appropriate companionship.