Most pet rabbits in the UK and elsewhere are kept in conditions that fail to meet their physical and behavioural needs, causing preventable suffering.
Rabbit welfare is one of the most widespread companion animal welfare failures in the UK and beyond. Rabbits kept alone in small hutches experience profound deprivation: they cannot run, jump, or express their natural athleticism, cannot engage in social behaviours, and have no mental stimulation. The result is a generation of animals living truncated, lonely lives in conditions their owners often believe are adequate because they reflect traditional norms. Updating owner expectations to reflect current welfare science — through veterinary guidance, retailer responsibility, and public campaigns — is a major welfare lever.