Rabbits are the third most common companion animal in many countries yet frequently experience poor welfare due to misunderstanding of their species-specific needs.
Rabbit welfare is characterised by a wide gap between public understanding and actual needs. The traditional image of a rabbit in a small hutch is so embedded in popular culture that even well-intentioned owners may not realise their rabbits are experiencing chronic poor welfare through space restriction, social isolation, and inappropriate diet. Rabbits kept alone without species-appropriate companionship show behaviours consistent with chronic stress. Their communication is subtle compared to dogs and cats, meaning owners often fail to recognise distress or early illness. Veterinary visits are less frequent for rabbits than for cats and dogs, partly due to cost perceptions and partly due to owners underestimating the complexity of rabbit healthcare. Welfare organisations have made considerable efforts to improve public understanding with measurable but incomplete success.