Rabbits are among the most misunderstood companion animals, with housing and care practices that often fail to meet their complex behavioral and social needs.
Rabbit welfare is one of the most consistently poor areas of companion animal care, driven by the misconception that rabbits are low-maintenance pets suitable for small hutches. Traditional hutch housing prevents the running, jumping, and social interaction that are fundamental to rabbit welfare. Solitary housing causes loneliness in a highly social species. Dental disease, the most common cause of suffering in domestic rabbits, is largely preventable through unlimited hay provision but frequently develops in rabbits fed commercial pellets without sufficient roughage. The high surrender rate of rabbits reflects the gap between expectations at the time of acquisition and the genuine care commitment these animals require.