Rabbits are among the most misunderstood companion animals, often kept in conditions that fail to meet their behavioral and social needs. Understanding rabbit welfare leads to dramatically better care.
Rabbit welfare is chronically poor because the species is widely misunderstood. Sold as starter pets or children's companions, rabbits are often kept in small hutches with minimal social contact or exercise opportunities. This fails to meet their complex behavioral and social needs. Rabbits need to run, jump, dig, and forage. They need companionship from bonded rabbit partners. They need veterinary care from practitioners experienced with exotic species. The gap between how rabbits are typically kept and what their welfare requires is one of the largest in companion animal care.