Rabbits are the third most used laboratory animal and experience welfare challenges specific to their prey animal nature, requiring specialized husbandry beyond standard rodent protocols.
Laboratory rabbits face welfare challenges including social isolation, restricted movement, inability to perform natural behaviors like burrowing and running, and unfamiliar handling that triggers acute fear responses. Social housing that allows normal social interaction significantly improves welfare and is achievable without compromising research validity. Handling training that acclimates rabbits to human contact before research procedures begins reduces acute stress responses during the research itself, both improving welfare and potentially improving data quality by reducing stress confounds.