Is it wrong to only have one rabbit?

[CocoaPuff123]

Right now, I have my one beautiful bun named Cocoa. She gets to run around my apartment as much as she wants as long as I am home. Between me and my two roommates, she gets a ton of attention. However, I know that rabbits are very social animals, and do not typically live alone. Am I being cruel to Cocoa by just having her as my one rabbit? Do rabbits need to live in pairs to truly be happy? I just want to give her the happiest life I can.

[Azerane]

In my opinion, no, but it depends on the situation. In a situation such as yours i believe a bunny can be perfectly happy on their own. However if you weren’t home much or bunny was housed outside then i recommend having a bonded pair so they don’t get bored and lonely.

[Boston's Mama]

My boy is a sole bunny – he is happiest this way , he doesn’t like other bunnies here even in seperate cages.
It’s not a one size ( or one bunny ) fits all- some bunnies bond super easy , some take a lot of time to bond – some never bond and prefer to be single
It comes down to lots of factors – how much time bunny gets – whether it’s inside getting human company or outside alone most of the time – then you also have to consider the extras involved if you do decide on two – your ability to house seperately until bonded – do lots of research on bonding to make sure no damaging mistakes are made – being able to house seperate indefinitely if they don’t bond – extra vet bills – extra food costs

I had two the bonded love at first sight , then another two that grew up together and never fought , two that wouldn’t bond at all and now my wee guy Oakley who doesn’t even tolerate other bunnies in seperate cages in same room

My boy is happy on his own with living in our lounge and lots of attention – he has a big cage and a playpen off it and we spend a lot of time with him – it’s definetly not cruel he has a great life

If you do decide you don’t feel you have enough time for him / her or your circumstances change meaning you don’t have enough time in the future to meet his company needs and decide to add a friend for him / her I definetly would suggest “play dates” first – at a rescue centre they can do these and see if they appear to be bondable to one and other – I didn’t do this and thought with both being housed seperately if be fine – Oakley had other ideas and they couldn’t even be in the same room so a second didn’t work for us.

[Boston's Mama]

^ not to put anyone at all off two – by no means! I don’t think a sole rabbit lifestyle is for every situation – far from it – I think if they aren’t able to be with humans a lot then they need company it they will bond for sure but I just think it’s important to know it’s not for everyone and doesn’t always work is all and that they can be happy on their own in the right situation

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

It’s great that you ask yourself this question, it shows that you’ve really done your research and are doing everything you can to make your bunny happy. It really makes my day seeing that

You hear it everywhere that “one rabbit isn’t a rabbit” etc.. While technically it’s true that rabbits benefit most from the company of other rabbits, there are always exceptions. Many people here on the forum have a solo bun, and their daily binkies are proof of a happy bunny. We also have a solo bun, and he gets loads of attention as I’m home all day because of a disability. Breintje treats me as a bonded bunny: I get groomed by him multiple times a day, he follows me around with everything that I do, and he actively seeks me out to lay next to me when I’m feeling ill ^_^

We asked ourselves the same question last year: are we giving him everything, does he need a bunnybuddy? One of our main considerations was his past: when my BF got him he was in a cage with 2 of his brothers. They were bonded and he was constantly bullied. He has bitemarks on the tips of his ears which are proof that it got pretty physical as well. Overall Breintje is a very nervous bunny, easily stressed especially in new situations and when meeting new people. We fear that attempting to bond him will go terribly wrong because of his past and his behaviour.

The other considerations were practical ones: in my tiny apartment I simply don’t have the space for a second cage. Only the sitting area of my living room could be bunny proofed, the rest is off limits because it would be unsafe (open kitchen and electrical appliances which can’t be blocked off). Breintje has free range in the sitting area, but it’s not large. He has a 45*80 cm cage to sleep in at night, and a free range area of about 2,5 by 2,5 m. Not very large for even a single rabbit, let alone two rabbits. They’d be on eachothers’ lip all the time (is that an expression in English as well? it is in Dutch).

Hearing how you describe the situation Cocoa gets loads of attention and love. If you ever see the signs of a depressed bunny (withdrawn and mopey or extremely destructive), you may consider a speed date at the local shelter, as others suggested.

[sarahthegemini]

I personally believe most rabbits are happier with a rabbit companion. Humans cannot provide everything, though we try, we can give them good food, shelter, a safe environment and we can shower them with love and attention but a rabbit friend provides something else. I do believe rabbits need each other. Of course there are exceptions tho!

[Rookie]

Rookie is an only bunny…I wish I could give him a friend but I am too selfish and I want him all to myself. Also…just dropped close to $2500 on medical bills for Rookie…can’t imagine a double of that.

[Krista]

Bilbo is a happy solo bunny. He’s the only rabbit, but he spends over half the day with me. He binkies and flops, although after today (he’s getting neutered) I’m not sure he’ll do that much this week. All rabbits have different personalities. Some are huge spoiled brats and will not tolerate other rabbits or animals being near their stuff. Others are shy and have a hard time bonding with more than just their human. Others couldn’t care less or need the other rabbit to get more attention. It all boils down to your rabbit’s personality and how often you are with them. It’s wrong to have one rabbit and keep it caged all day. It’s rather wrong to have them caged up all day in general, in my opinion, with no interaction besides seeing them every now and then. If your rabbit is roaming a room that you are in constantly and you are interacting with them a lot, then no it isn’t wrong.

[CocoaPuff123]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and kind words on this topic. Cocoa spends the daytime sleeping, but as soon as the sun goes down she’s full of love, energy, and binkies. Thank you for helping me make sure my bun is the happiest she can be! For now, I think she’s ok living with my roommates and I, and continue being the spoiled little diva she is. ??

[VivaLaBunz]

This is a good question because I’ve been wondering it myself. I think as long as you bond the bunnies correctly they will be happier, but not all pairs work out from what I hear. I have a solo bun right now, Pippins, and she loves to be groomed. She tries to get my two cats to groom her by running up to them and sticking her little head out towards them, but they just don’t get it and are unwilling to participate. Many times my cats will either run away from her or my female cat, Martini, will actually take a swipe or two at her face (with no claws) as a warning for her to BACK OFF! I thought maybe the bunny would bond with one of the cats but they just won’t have it (probably because my last bunny was super aggressive and territorial, so they think Pippins is doing the same).

[DesertBunny]

I just saw this thread…… NO it is NOT wrong to have only one bunny

IF:::::

You can spend a LOT of time with him/her. Both of my little troopers spent 11+ years each with me. They were spoiled little kids and knew it. They also bonded to me so intensely that other people (notably my Vets) could see how differently they acted with me versus them.

Every time I took Jet (my last one) to the vet I would hold him while we waited for the doctor to come in and start the exam. He didn’t wait in his carrier. He was in my arms while we waited. I never left Jet alone with the Vet unless they needed to draw blood or something.

My house was HIS house. His rabbit room used to be my kitchen. I gladly gave it up for him.

Of course I have no real life outside of work, and now I am retired so that left more bunny time.

If you can spend lots of time with one bunny then I think it’s the best way to go. They are social animals so if a bunny is left alone and does not receive a lot (or any) attention he/she will become very depressed. Then a pair is better. I don’t think you’ll get a bond with a pair the way you do with just one, because to him/her YOU are just a big funny looking bunny!

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