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Can a Rabbit be happy alone?

L

Laureyxo

New Kit
As above really, can single rabbits be happy with enough attention or are they generally always happier bonded? I appreciate if probably depends on personality type. xx
 
My opinion is that the vast majority are happiest with a friend.

If a rabbit is kept as a single, freeranging houserabbit with lots of human interaction then they can most definately be happy but a friend of their own kind is the best option in most cases.
 
I agree with*lily*, a single rabbit should not be kept outside because they don't get enough company, however single house bunnies can most definitely be happy on their own. I personally have a single house bunny who was supposed to be bonded with my two other bunnies but was unable to because he gets ill too often and he is the happiest bunny I have ever seen. :)

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Agree with above - a friend is always better, but sometimes that isn't possible and in that case I believe a single, indoor house rabbit with lots of human interaction can be happy. Alf is single and indoors because it wouldn't be right for us to commit to another rabbit. He lives under our stairs and gets a lot of free range time, human interaction and strokes! I think he is happy - I've got no reason to believe otherwise anyway :) But I don't doubt he'd be happier with a bunny friend.
 
When I had to separate Cleo from the others she never seemed *unhappy* as such, but she's always been quite independent so some rabbits might be more suited to single life than others. Don't get me wrong though, she is signficantly happier with the others than on her own. I think most bunnies are like that, they won't necessarily be unhappy on their own but they certainly prefer a fellow bunny for company.
 
Doughnut is a happy bunny and she's indoors and has the run of downstairs so lots of space. I wouldn't have a bunny on it's own outside as I think it would be lonely. I can't afford another rabbit since she's had health issues and I would worry about her not bonding or the bond breaking when I wasn't there and them fighting. I asked my specialist if he thought she was lonely on her own and he said she thinks of me as her friend so is fine and also with her temperament he would worry she would be bullied.
Having said that if I had got her with one of her brothers or sisters I'm sure she would have been just as happy. I do think bunnies like other bunny company but are fine if they get lots of human attention if they're on their own.
 
I have a single bunny who sadly has to live outside - she came to me as a single rabbit and we've tried for over a year to find her a friend but it's not worked out. She definitely seems alot happier without a friend as she's really really aggressive when other rabbits are anywhere near her. I think having a single rabbit living outside is more time consuming as you really have to spend a lot of time with them every day.
My bonded pair seem fairly happy although they have little tiffs sometimes, but the female doesn't like humans so I know she is happy having a rabbit partner to chase around.
 
booboobunny said:
I have a single bunny who sadly has to live outside - she came to me as a single rabbit and we've tried for over a year to find her a friend but it's not worked out. She definitely seems alot happier without a friend as she's really really aggressive when other rabbits are anywhere near her. I think having a single rabbit living outside is more time consuming as you really have to spend a lot of time with them every day.
My bonded pair seem fairly happy although they have little tiffs sometimes, but the female doesn't like humans so I know she is happy having a rabbit partner to chase around.
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I am in a similar situation to this :)
 
Daphne was a lone house rabbit for around 3 months. We had a strong bond and she appeared happy but we introduced Phoebe to bond and she's happier with her own kind but we've lost that special bond as she doesn't rely on me for company.

I think she was still happy on her own though.

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I also think there are various kinds of "happy" for a rabbit.

2 rabbits kept together in dirty conditions, in a 5 ft hutch with no stimulation, they may have company but they wont be "happy" as they will be suffering.

A lone freeranging houserabbit with plenty of company, good food and freedom CAN be happy and will show you this by their behaviour.

The ideal for most rabbits would be company of their own kind plus plenty of space to display their energetic natural behaviours.
 
perfectly said lily. Its not just about company to make a bun happy but buns really enjoy grooming each other and binkying together too. Obviously every situation is different and not every bunny wants a friend but i think you cant beat seeing the behaviour of a pair or group of rabbits playing and interacting with each other.
 
Laureyxo said:
As above really, can single rabbits be happy with enough attention or are they generally always happier bonded? I appreciate if probably depends on personality type. xx
Click to expand...
It always recomended to have a friend but i do know many rabbits who dont bond with others or who arr more people fridnly. I had a rabbit in the past which was happy on her own with many binkies too. I think it depends on the rabbit but always go with two if possible.

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Environment aside, whilst I do believe that a single rabbit can be happy with an owner that is prepared to spend several hours with them each day, I do firmly believe that 99% of rabbits would be happier with 24/7 company of their own kind. I, through my experience volunteering and fostering for rabbit rescues firmly believe that their is somebunny out their for every bunny, although it may take numerous failed matches for them to find the right partner
 
I think we pretty much all agree that bunnies almost always do better in pairs and prefer bunny company but that when certain circumstances prevent them from being bonded (illness, financial problems, bonding issues etcetc) they most certainly can be happy with the correct environment, enrichment and human contact, they can most definitely be happy on without another bunny :)

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