Many commercially sold rabbit and guinea pig hutches are inadequately sized for their occupants, causing chronic welfare problems through restricted movement.
Small pet housing welfare is compromised by a market that produces and sells inadequate hutches that are attractive and affordable but fundamentally too small for the animals' needs. Rabbits and guinea pigs are active animals who in the wild move substantial distances daily. Confining them to small hutches prevents them from running, jumping, and expressing normal locomotory behaviors. The resulting restriction causes muscle wasting, obesity from inadequate exercise, and psychological boredom that leads to stereotypic behaviors. The pet retail industry's promotion of inadequate housing as suitable products is a significant contributor to this welfare problem. Welfare organizations in many countries campaign to stop the sale of hutches that fail to meet minimum welfare standards.