Why should rabbits be kept in pairs ?

Trying to convince someone that rabbits should be kept in pairs.
So why should rabbits be kept in pairs ?

Because, by nature, they are sociable animals- you only need to look at how rabbits in the wild live, to know that.

Our rabbits are all descendents of wild rabbits and are genetically identical to them. That would be the approach I would take.

They get lonely on their own, they need someone to talk to who speaks rabbit fluently, they need one of their own kind there if they get sick to comfort them, it gives them someone to play with, someone to snuggle with when they're frightened, etc.

A lot of people will say "oh, it's ok - I spend lots of time with my single bunny"

But...most people are at work for 8 hours and asleep for 8 hours (ish)

That's maximum 8 hours left to spend with bunny, so s/he is alone for 16

Remember that most people also have to eat, wash, travel, do housework, bit of socialising, go shopping, other errands....and they're unlikely to have more than 4 solid hours left for their bunny....so s/he is alone 20 hours. Not so much fun for the bunny.

clutterydrawer said:

A lot of people will say "oh, it's ok - I spend lots of time with my single bunny"

But...most people are at work for 8 hours and asleep for 8 hours (ish)

That's maximum 8 hours left to spend with bunny, so s/he is alone for 16

Remember that most people also have to eat, wash, travel, do housework, bit of socialising, go shopping, other errands....and they're unlikely to have more than 4 solid hours left for their bunny....so s/he is alone 20 hours. Not so much fun for the bunny.

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VERY good point. Most people can't look from how the world looks to the rabbit, so telling them from the rabbit's point of view can work very well.

Tell them it's like her/him sitting in a room 24/7 and not having anybody to speak to other than another person coming in for a few minutes everyday, whom you can't communicate with in your language.

HorseyHolly said:

Tell them it's like her/him sitting in a room 24/7 and not having anybody to speak to other than another person coming in for a few minutes everyday, whom you can't communicate with in your language.

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:thumb:

They're incredibly intelligent too, so when they don't get "company" they're bored & are either "naughty" or withdraw into themselves when alone. It's a form of psychological damage, & leads to poor health from inactivity.

I have a single buck with megacolon who was never well enough to neuter (2 vets refused) I'm at home 24/7 apart from shopping & foraging his food, & have no other commitments.
Although we have a good communication system & I learned some bunny behaviour to help him, I don't think I'm enough.