Rabbits are among the most commonly mistreated companion animals due to widespread misunderstanding of their needs. Appropriate housing, social companionship, and enrichment are essential for rabbit welfare.
The traditional small hutch is one of the most welfare-damaging housing systems in companion animal keeping. Rabbits in confined hutches cannot perform the rapid locomotion behaviors essential for physical and psychological health. Chronic confinement causes muscle wasting, spinal curvature, and stereotypic behaviors. Providing house access or large outdoor enclosures connected to shelter allows rabbits to express their natural movement repertoire. Pairing rabbits provides social companionship that individual rabbits cannot substitute with human contact alone. Many rabbit welfare problems stem from purchase decisions made without adequate research — education at point of sale is critically needed.