Traditional rabbit hutches are far too small to meet the welfare needs of rabbits. Modern welfare standards call for much larger, enriched environments that allow natural behaviours.
Rabbit welfare in the UK and many other countries is in crisis: millions of rabbits live in hutches providing a fraction of their minimum space needs, often alone and with minimal enrichment. This chronic deprivation causes genuine suffering — musculoskeletal deterioration from inability to move normally, psychological suffering from social isolation, and boredom from barren environments. The welfare standard gap between what rabbits need and what most receive is wider than for any other commonly kept companion animal. Consumer education, retail standards for minimum hutch sizes, and clear veterinary guidance are urgently needed.