Traditional rabbit hutch housing is inadequate for the behavioural needs of rabbits, with minimum space recommendations dramatically exceeding conventional hutch sizes.
Conventional rabbit hutches fail to meet the basic space needs of rabbits who are cursorial animals evolved for rapid movement over distance. Rabbits in small hutches cannot perform natural running, jumping, and exploration behaviours, leading to obesity, boredom, and stereotypic behaviour. The industry standard of small hutches sold in pet shops perpetuates welfare failures that better consumer information could help address.