Rabbits are commonly kept in conditions far below their behavioral needs. Understanding what rabbits actually require transforms companion rabbit welfare from neglect to genuine care.
Rabbit welfare is one of the most systematically overlooked areas in companion animal care. The persistent marketing of tiny hutches as appropriate rabbit housing has created a culture of inadvertent neglect. Rabbits confined in small spaces cannot perform basic locomotion, grooming, or social behaviors, leading to muscle atrophy, dental disease from inadequate wear, and psychological frustration. Indoor house rabbits with free-roaming access to appropriately rabbit-proofed spaces show dramatically more active and engaged behavior. Social housing with at least one companion rabbit is essential, as isolation causes visible distress. The gap between current average housing and welfare-appropriate housing is among the largest for any common companion animal.