Domestic rabbits are among the most welfare-compromised companion animals due to widespread housing in small hutches that prevent natural behavior expression.
Rabbits confined in small hutches cannot perform fundamental natural behaviors including running, jumping, digging, and foraging that are essential for physical and psychological welfare. The restriction of movement leads to musculoskeletal problems including splay leg and spinal curvature, while psychological deprivation causes stereotypic bar-chewing and other repetitive behaviors. Social isolation compounds behavioral deprivation as rabbits are highly social animals that thrive in bonded pairs. The prey animal psychology of rabbits means fear responses including thumping, freezing, and avoidance are constant companions for animals in vulnerable housing situations. Appropriate housing requires minimum run space of 3m x 2m alongside shelter.