Rabbits are the third most commonly used laboratory animal after rodents, yet their welfare standards and housing requirements have historically lagged behind those for rodents. Advances in rabbit welfare science are changing this.
Laboratory rabbit welfare has improved substantially as welfare science has caught up with the recognition that rabbits are social, active animals with complex behavioral needs. The transition from individual housing to pair housing is the most significant recent welfare advance - the social isolation that individual housing imposes causes chronic stress measurable in cortisol levels and behavioral indicators. Pair housing is now shown to be compatible with most research protocols while significantly improving rabbit welfare. The remaining challenges are standardizing enrichment provision, improving handling habituation programs to reduce fear responses, and extending the most welfare-positive housing standards to all facilities using rabbits globally, including those in regions with less regulatory development.