Rabbits are widely used in safety testing and biomedical research, and their welfare has improved through better housing standards, pain management, and replacement of the Draize eye test.
Laboratory rabbit welfare has improved substantially through the application of 3Rs principles and improved understanding of rabbit behavioural needs. Social housing, first resisted by researchers concerned about fight injuries, has been shown to be feasible with appropriate group composition and space provision, and produces rabbits with lower stress baselines and more normal physiology. The Draize eye test, which involves applying potentially irritating substances to restrained rabbits' eyes, is being progressively replaced by validated in vitro alternatives. Pain management during and after procedures has improved. However, individual housing remains common in many facilities despite regulations requiring justification.