Rabbits are among the most misunderstood companion animals, with millions kept in hutches that are far too small for their behavioral and physical needs. Modern rabbit welfare science is challenging traditional housing assumptions.
The rabbit welfare crisis is rooted in the gap between cultural perception (rabbits as low-maintenance pets requiring minimal space) and welfare science (rabbits as highly active, social animals with complex behavioral needs). A rabbit in a small hutch cannot express its natural movement behavior, develop proper musculoskeletal strength, or meet its social needs. Chronic confinement leads to muscle atrophy, bone weakness, and behavioral frustration. Isolated rabbits show depression-like states and abnormal behaviors. The problem is magnified by the ease of purchasing rabbits, leading to impulse acquisitions by unprepared owners who do not know their animal's actual needs.