Rabbits are the third most popular companion animal but among the most misunderstood, with many kept in housing that fails to meet their behavioral and social needs.
Companion rabbit welfare is severely compromised by widespread misunderstanding of their needs. Rabbits kept in small hutches cannot binky, sprint, or rear up on their hind legs — behaviors that indicate positive emotional states in healthy rabbits. Social isolation causes chronic stress in a species that lives in social groups in the wild. Prey animal psychology means rabbits suppress signs of illness and pain, leading to late detection of serious problems. The high abandonment rate of pet rabbits after the novelty wears off reflects the gap between consumer expectations and actual rabbit care requirements.