New rabbit owners often ask – Do rabbits need a companion? or should I get a second rabbit to keep my rabbit company? or do rabbits need a partner?
And with those questions we are quick to point out that rabbits are very social animals that evolved over thousands of years to live in close quarters with each other. Wild rabbits do not live alone.
Similar to other very social “herd” animals, rabbits are accustomed to living with other rabbits.
Rabbits will generally be happier and healthier living in pairs than in isolation. Getting a second rabbit, or more, as a companion for your rabbit can reduce stress on both rabbits. Less stress means a healthier and happier rabbit.
No, a rabbit does not necessarily need a companion, but is often much better off with a companion. Companions provide grooming, safety, and… companionship! Seriously though, many animals seem to be more settled, more content and generally happier when they have companionship, especially if the companion is of the same species.
Do Pet Rabbits Need A Companion
Our very knowledgeable and experienced friends at the House Rabbit Society clearly state that the great majority of rabbits are happier with a companion bunny.
Here are the primary points made by House Rabbit Society:
- Rabbits are social animals and biologically evolved to be healthier and happier when living in community. Rabbits in community assist each other with primary tasks such as: finding food, watching for and warning about predators nearby, raising and teaching young bunnies, and maintaining a safe network or tunnels in the warren.
- The human and rabbit bond can be strong and beneficial to both humans and rabbits. However, we humans do not fully understand rabbits. Rabbits are designed to bond with other rabbits, not humans.
- Bonded rabbits are just easier to care for and get into less trouble. Paired rabbits are less bored and seem to tolerate humans much better.
Research Related To: Do Rabbits Need A Companion
In scientific experiments paired rabbits have chosen to be near other rabbits, in lieu of being by themselves.
Additional scientific studies have shown a broad range of results, but one consistent outcome is that rabbits prefer to be housed with other rabbits (also known as conspecifics), rather than isolated housing. Rabbits typically prefer to live with other rabbits, rather than live by themselves.
On the other hand, this scientific study found that does would rather live in a solitary cage rather than in a group pen. Although the rabbits seemed more content if they could see the other rabbits in the cages near them.
Interestingly, this scientific study found insignificant differences in the levels of rabbit aggression and wounding found in small groups of rabbits living together and larger groups of rabbits living together.

The Benefits of Rabbit Companionship
The popular, cute, furry domestic rabbits in the United States are descended from wild European rabbits. The wild European rabbits lived in colonies, sometimes 100s of rabbits together in a colony. So, our domestic rabbits evolved in a very social environment and are “designed” for social interaction with other rabbits.
Please note that not all rabbits are kind to each other. Rabbits will bite and bully and fight, but in general, rabbits live healthier and happier lives with a well matched companion.
Is It Normal For Rabbits to Fight?
Veterinarian Joe Dunne at VetHelpDirect states that in particular our domestic rabbits inherit the trait of pairing or “bonding” with other rabbits, as bonded pairs. Bonded pairs are a pair of rabbits that already know each other and have proven to get along nicely. Bonded pairs actually prefer each other’s company and can become stressed and unhappy when removed from their bonded pair.
Quote “Pet rabbits benefit from a companion via reduced stress, assistance with grooming, playing, communal eating and toileting, and more. Studies have also found that rabbits housed alone are less active but more restless, more prone to stress-induced problems such as pulling out their own fur, and at a greater risk of disease such as flystrike. The benefits of a rabbit having a companion cannot be overstated.”
https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2020/09/12/do-rabbits-need-friends/
Further, vet Joe Dunne says, “Although rabbits will almost always benefit from a new friend, it is important to choose their companion carefully. If the rabbits do not get along, it can cause stress, disease or even aggression between the two. We recommend that most new rabbit owners start with a male-female pair, as in the wild. This combination is much less likely to cause a fight than same-sex pairings. However, there is a high chance that they will breed. Unless you are hoping to have (lots and lots and lots of) little rabbit kits, you should get them neutered – either the male castrated or the female spayed – by a vet. You can have male-male or female-female pairings, but they may fight if there is a reason to do so. If you have a same-sex pair, ensure there is no competition for food or space, keep stress low and get them both neutered. “
https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2020/09/12/do-rabbits-need-friends/
Did you know that a group of rabbits is called a fluffle, or a colony?
How To Prepare For A Second Rabbit
We strongly recommend that you ensure your know or have the following items before getting a second rabbit:
- Medical Status of the Rabbit (to include spayed or neutered)
- Age of the Rabbit (should be close to your current rabbit)
- Adequate Space For The Second Rabbit
- Time & Patience – Required to introduce the rabbits to each other slowly
That last bullet may be the most important! Rabbits often take some time to get used to each other. So, please be patient and introduce your rabbits a little bit at a time.
Meaning, put them together for a few minutes at a time and then remove them for a while… each time you put them together you can try to have them together for a little longer than their previous meeting. Eventually, they will become accustomed to each other and you will be able to leave them together.
Note: not all rabbits will bond… sometimes one rabbit becomes a dominant bully. Over time you might be able to work through any bullying. Bottom line: there are no gauruntees!

Frequently Asked Questions Related To Do Rabbits Need Another Rabbit; Do Rabbits Need A Friend?
Do Wild Hares Need A Companion
Hares are not rabbits and rabbits are not hares.
What is the difference between a Rabbit and a Hare?
Rabbits and hares are actually from different genera in the same animal family. As such, they are like distantly related cousins that get along just fine but cannot successfully mate.
Hares tend to be less social and are known to spend most of their time solo, not in community with other hares.
Do Rabbits Live Alone In The Wild
No, rabbits do not live alone in the wild. As we’ve discussed, rabbits have biologically evolved as social creatures that thrive in community. Rabbits do not live alone in the wild.
Best Companion For Male Rabbit
The best companion for a male rabbit is a female rabbit. This is very natural and should not be a surprise to anyone. If you don’t want your male and female rabbit to breed, then you will need to spay or neuter one of the rabbits. Truthfully, if you desire a calm pair of rabbits, they should both be neutered or spayed.
Can Three Rabbits Live Together Happily
Yes, three rabbits can happily live together. Again, you will have to patiently introduce a third rabbit to your current bunny pair. It may take a while, but in most cases a third rabbit can join two rabbits who are already paired.
Can Two Female Rabbits Live Together
Yes, two female rabbits can live together. Many bonded pairs of bunnies are females. Our humble opinion is that a female rabbit is typically better off bonding with a male rabbit. In the same breath, we also acknowledge that there are many exceptions. We merely look to the thousands of years of evolution to inform our opinions and actions.
Which Pairing Of Rabbits Is Best
Here we mean male with male or male with female.
Most experienced owners will say that a neutered male and a spayed female make for the best pairing of rabbits. These rabbits are most likely to be calm and happy.
To be clear, a pairing of male with male, or female with female can also be very successful and beneficial. Again, neutering or spaying both paired bunnies often results in benefits for both rabbits and owners.
Final Thoughts on Do Rabbits Need A Companion
We strongly recommend getting a rabbit companion, a rabbit friend, for your solitary rabbit.
While the research seems to leave some small doubts, long time rabbit owners (like us here at Hobby Farm Heaven) seem to have no doubt that paired rabbits are much healthier and happier than solitary rabbits.
Rabbits have evolved over thousands of years to live in colonies. Bunnies are very social animals. It is not normal for rabbits to live alone in the wild.
If you are on a homestead or hobby farm, then you may have a whole hutch full of rabbits that live in community, also known as a fluffle.