Rabbits are the third most popular companion animal but are frequently housed in conditions that cause chronic suffering. Understanding their true needs helps owners provide environments where rabbits can thrive.
Rabbits are among the most commonly mistreated companion animals, not through malice but through widespread misunderstanding of their needs. The image of a rabbit in a small hutch is culturally normalized but represents conditions that cause chronic suffering — inadequate space, social isolation, wrong diet, and lack of enrichment. Rabbits are prey animals that mask pain and distress, making their suffering easy to overlook. Educating prospective owners about the true requirements of rabbit care — social housing, adequate space, unlimited hay, and enrichment — before they acquire a rabbit is the most effective welfare intervention available. Adoption from rescue organizations rather than purchase also helps address the significant rabbit abandonment problem.