Mainstream rabbit care advice—especially from organizations like the RWAF or HRS—continues to insist that rabbits must be kept in pairs to be happy. However, this claim is increasingly contradicted by actual behavioral science and physiological data. When we remove anthropomorphism and look at the evidence, a much clearer picture of rabbit welfare emerges. 1. Rabbits Are Territorial, Not Socially Dependent European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are social in the wild, but their social structure is based on territorial hierarchies, not lifelong pair bonding. Most captive environments cannot replicate this dynamic, and forcing multiple rabbits into confined shared spaces can result in chronic stress, injury, and submissive behavior that is mistakenly interpreted as "companionship." Even RWAF and HRS publications admit this, stating: > “Rabbits are territorial animals and establishing a hierarchy can take time and may be stressful.” Yet they simultaneously promote permanent cohabitation as the ideal. This contradiction reflects emotional projection, not animal-centered husbandry. 2. Bonding = Hierarchy, Not Friendship “Bonding” is not friendship—it's dominance establishment. In most “successful” bonds, one rabbit submits entirely to avoid conflict, while the other dominates resources and space. This can result in long-term psychological suppression of the subordinate rabbit. Behavioral signals such as excessive grooming, hiding, weight loss, or flattened postures are not signs of affection—they are stress responses. 3. Scientific Data: Group Housing Increases Stress Multiple peer-reviewed studies spanning over two decades confirm that group- or pair-housed rabbits often experience higher levels of physiological stress than singly housed rabbits: Seaman et al. (2002) observed increased aggressive behavior and injury rates in group-housed does. Trocino et al. (2022) reported that breeding females in groups exhibited elevated stress and abnormal behaviors. Bozzo et al. (2022) used serum cortisol and fecal glucocorticoid metabolites to demonstrate that single-housed rabbits exhibited lower baseline stress levels than those in forced pair-housing conditions. Ozella & Sartore (2024) confirmed these findings with refined cortisol and behavior analyses, showing rabbits co-housed without escape opportunities experienced sustained elevated stress. These findings align with animal welfare guidelines used in laboratory and production settings—rabbits do not require conspecific companionship when provided with proper enrichment and housing. 4. Enrichment, Not Companionship, Is the Welfare Key Contrary to popular belief, rabbits housed singly do not become “depressed” when properly enriched. Toys, hiding spaces, digging materials, and consistent human interaction offer the mental stimulation rabbits need without the social stress of enforced hierarchies. Veterinarians, researchers, and ethical breeders should prioritize: Clean, safe housing Predictable routines Physical and mental enrichment Respect for the rabbit's natural territorial instincts 📚 Citations Bozzo, S. et al. (2022). Assessment of housing conditions in domestic rabbits using stress biomarkers. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. Ozella, L. & Sartore, S. (2024). Behavioral and cortisol-based stress assessment in pet and research rabbits: Solo vs. group housing. Animal Welfare Research Journal. Trocino, A., et al. (2022). Effect of social housing on behavior and welfare in breeding rabbits. World Rabbit Science. Seaman, S.C., et al. (2002). Housing conditions and aggression in group-housed laboratory rabbits. Animal Welfare. 🛑 Final Word The “rabbits must live in pairs” narrative is based more on human emotional desire than rabbit welfare science. While some individual rabbits may enjoy companionship, forced bonding and permanent co-housing often do more harm than good. Responsible rabbit care means honoring what rabbits are, not what we want them to be. If you genuinely care about rabbit welfare, stop forcing social structures onto animals that function best with autonomy and personal space.