Companion rabbits are prone to several serious health conditions including dental disease, gastrointestinal stasis, and myxomatosis — prevention through appropriate care dramatically improves welfare outcomes.
Rabbit health welfare is closely linked to appropriate husbandry — the conditions that prevent disease overlap almost completely with the conditions that support behavioral welfare. Unlimited hay consumption maintains dental health and gut motility while also providing the foraging behavior rabbits are highly motivated to perform. Stress from inappropriate handling, housing, or social conditions predisposes rabbits to gastrointestinal stasis that can be rapidly fatal. The rabbit whose welfare needs are met — unlimited hay, appropriate companionship, large space, and minimal stressful handling — is also the rabbit who is physically healthiest. Welfare and health are unified in rabbit care.