Rabbits are widely used in biomedical research including eye irritation testing and vaccine production. Implementing the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) improves rabbit welfare significantly.
Laboratory rabbits experience significant welfare challenges including the distress of restraint and repeated procedures, and the pain and inflammation caused by irritancy and safety tests. The Draize eye test, where substances are placed in the eye without anesthesia and effects observed for days, causes substantial ocular discomfort and distress. In vitro alternatives including reconstructed human tissue models now replace many animal tests. Refinement measures including environmental enrichment, pair housing, positive reinforcement training to reduce restraint stress, and analgesic use where appropriate reduce suffering for rabbits that must still be used. Regulatory adoption of validated alternatives drives replacement progress.