Rabbits are the third most popular companion mammal in many countries but among the most poorly kept — the majority live in housing far below welfare standards, experiencing chronic pain, loneliness, and behavioral frustration.
Companion rabbit welfare is compromised most often by housing that is too small, diet that is inappropriate, and lack of suitable social companionship. Rabbits kept in hutches cannot binky (a joy-leap), sprint, or fully stretch — behaviors essential to their physical and psychological health. A diet high in pellets or muesli mix leads to dental malocclusion — a painful condition causing progressive tooth problems requiring ongoing veterinary intervention. Isolated rabbits become depressed and develop stereotypic behaviors including cage bar chewing. Because rabbits evolved to hide signs of weakness as prey animals, owners underestimate how much their pets suffer in silence. The gap between public perception of rabbits as low-maintenance pets and their actual complex needs drives an ongoing welfare crisis across domestic populations.