Commercial rabbit farming is widespread in Europe and Asia but welfare standards lag behind other farmed species. Understanding the key welfare issues is essential for consumers and policymakers.
Farmed rabbits in conventional battery cages cannot stand fully upright, run, burrow, or engage in social behaviour — a severe restriction of their full behavioural repertoire. Individual housing also deprives them of social contact, which is important for their psychological wellbeing. Rabbits are prey animals that hide pain and distress, making welfare assessment difficult without specific training. Park systems using group housing with enriched environments show better welfare outcomes but require more careful management to control disease and fighting. EU-level welfare standards for farmed rabbits remain urgently needed.