Traditional small hutch housing for pet rabbits fails to meet their complex behavioral and social needs; modern welfare guidance calls for much larger, enriched environments.
Pet rabbits are among the most poorly housed companion animals in many countries. Traditional hutch housing keeps rabbits in spaces too small for natural movement, without companions, and often with inappropriate diets. The welfare consequences — including obesity, dental disease, psychological distress, and early death — are severe and largely preventable. Modern rabbit welfare guidance calls for interconnected enclosures allowing free movement, access to hay at all times, at least one compatible companion, and daily supervised exercise time outside enclosures.