Rabbits used in research have specific welfare needs that differ from rodents and require tailored care protocols.
Laboratory rabbit welfare is shaped by their prey species psychology — rabbits are fundamentally designed to flee from threats, and the laboratory environment presents constant perceived threat triggers: restraint, unfamiliar smells, handling by strangers, and social isolation. The 3Rs framework applied to rabbits requires particular attention to refinement of handling techniques, provision of hiding spaces that allow control over their environment, social housing with compatible partners, and environmental enrichment that meets foraging motivations. Refining these elements reduces stress significantly and often improves scientific outcomes by reducing confounding stress-related biological variation.