Even if you have a pair of rabbits, 24 hours is the maximum time they should be alone. Like all pets, rabbits rely heavily on their owners.
Rabbits can be left alone together safely once they're showing positive behaviours towards one another. Always speak to your vet for more detailed advice before attempting to bond rabbits.
Rabbits are very loving, social animals, which means they not only love to spend time with their humans – they require it. Without human interaction, rabbits can get bored, even to the point of becoming lonely and depressed.
Rabbits are a social species and have evolved to live in groups. In the wild, rabbits do not live alone. Rabbits kept as companions are not biologically different from their wild counterparts and so their innate need to be kept in the company of other rabbits is just as strong.
Pet rabbits can be kept alone if they are given daily attention and socialization from their human companions. It's best if single rabbits are kept as house pets so you can spend ample amounts of time petting and playing with them.
Barring the odd rogue rabbit that likes the lonely life, rabbits generally benefit from the company of other rabbits. They will often be far happier and content with a mate. Rabbits are not that unlike humans, they also get bored, even depressed, and when they do, they often act it out with destructive behaviour.
As a general rule, you should leave your rabbit alone during the first 24 hours after bringing them home. Set up your rabbit's enclosure and keep them in a quiet spot in your home. This will give your rabbit time to adjust to their new environment, preventing them from feeling overwhelmed by the sudden change.
You could ask a friend, neighbour or relative to stay at your home and pet-sit for you or, if they live locally, they could pop in several times a day to check on your rabbits, feed and water them and keep them clean. If you don't have anyone who can help, you could look for a professional pet-sitter.
Rabbits do not have off days; their appetite, behaviours, routines, droppings etc. should all be pretty much similar from day to day, so if one day your bunny does not come rushing for it's food then it is time to get concerned!
Bonded rabbits can also break their bond. This can happen if they've been separated, for example if one bunny needs to spend a few days at the vet. It can also happen if you move house, move or change your rabbit enclosure, or upset the hierarchy by introducing new rabbits.
Once the rabbits have bonded, DO NOT separate them. If one rabbit needs to go to the vet, both need to go. If they're separated and one rabbit comes back with a different smell or change in health, they may reject each other and begin fighting.
A rabbit will always be happiest if it has another rabbit to live with. However, a single rabbit can be perfectly content if it is receiving enough companionship from a human.
Even the best of rabbit friends may still sometimes need a break from each other. House rabbits often spend a couple of hours apart a day sleeping or playing in different areas. The ability to do this reduces the likelihood of two rabbits fighting.
A lot of people worry that their rabbit will be less affectionate towards them once they have a bonded partner. We have never found this to be true. The only change we see in rabbits is that they are a lot happier! If you have a friendly rabbit who likes human company, the chances are that they always will!
Once your bunny is bonded it doesn't take any extra work to care for two bunnies. They share a house, food, water, and litter box. They will groom each other and keep each other clean and healthy.
At a minimum, you should spend at least an hour with your rabbit every day. However, 3-5 hours (or even more) are ideal. You do not have to be giving your rabbit undivided attention during this time, but instead, make yourself available to interact with them if they want to.
Rabbits like to play and need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. Ideally you want to provide them with up to 4 hours daily of supervised time out of their cage.
Keeping your rabbit inside
Rabbits can live quite happily indoors and they should be provided with secure accommodation where they can feel safe, sleep, use a particular area as a toilet, and be confined to when unsupervised.
Some people worry that if they are gone for a very long period of time, their rabbit will forget them. If you are only gone for a few months, like the way I went to college but came home after every semester, then in my experience it's unlikely that your rabbit will forget you.
Don't make your rabbit stay longer than they want to.
Sometimes this will be after half an hour, and sometimes it will be only 5 minutes. However long the cuddle session, you always want to let your rabbit leave.
Bonded rabbits are healthier, happier rabbits and tend to live longer lives. Having a loving partner helps to calm a rabbit, thereby reducing their levels of stress and allowing them to better cope with new experiences or environments.
Bonding rabbits can be an incredibly difficult and stressful process (but not always). However, you can find a friend for your rabbit if you take the time to plan and prepare for bonding. It usually takes between two weeks and two months to bond a pair of rabbits.
While female – male bonding tends to be easier, you can certainly bond two females or two males together. Next, each rabbit will require its own space with their own personal things.