Rabbits are among the most misunderstood and consequently poorly kept companion animals, with widespread husbandry practices that cause significant welfare harm from boredom, isolation, and physical restriction.
Rabbit welfare represents a significant gap between the perception of rabbits as low-maintenance pets and the reality of their complex needs. The traditional image of a rabbit kept alone in a small hutch at the bottom of the garden describes conditions that cause chronic welfare harm through inadequate space, social isolation, and inappropriate diet. Rabbits evolved to run many kilometers daily in complex social groups — their welfare requires space for locomotor behavior, compatible companions, and appropriate hay-based diets that maintain dental health. The mismatch between their relatively low cost of acquisition and their significant welfare requirements contributes to high rates of abandonment and welfare neglect. Pre-purchase education is essential to ensure new rabbit owners understand what these animals genuinely need.