Pet rabbits are frequently housed in conditions that fail their behavioral and social needs. Evidence-based housing standards require significantly more space than traditional hutches provide.
Pet rabbit housing welfare failures are among the most widespread in companion animal keeping. Traditional hutches sold in pet stores are dramatically smaller than what rabbits need to meet their locomotor behavioral needs — rabbits evolved to run at speeds up to 45 kilometers per hour and need space to run, leap, and change direction. Solitary housing denies the social interaction essential for rabbit welfare. Inappropriate handling including lifting by the scruff or supporting only the rear causes dangerous struggling that can fracture the spine. Education at the point of sale, updated retail standards, and welfare guidelines developed by veterinary organizations provide the framework for improvement, but consumer awareness remains low.