Pet rabbits are among the most welfare-compromised companion animals, with traditional hutch housing failing to meet their space and behavioural needs.
The traditional small garden hutch is wholly inadequate for rabbit welfare. Rabbits confined in small hutches cannot binky (joyful leaping), run, rear up fully or exhibit normal social behaviour. Chronic confinement leads to skeletal abnormalities, obesity, boredom and psychological distress. Despite this, millions of rabbits continue to be housed in inadequate conditions. The minimum recommended space is a large hutch connected to a permanent run, with 24-hour access, but free-roaming indoor housing is increasingly recommended by welfare experts.