Rabbits are among the most commonly kept yet poorly understood companion animals, with complex enrichment needs that include opportunities for foraging, hiding, chewing, digging, and social interaction that typical hutch housing fails to provide.
The combination of inadequate space, incorrect diet, social isolation, and insufficient enrichment makes many pet rabbits' welfare seriously compromised. Dental disease caused by insufficient hay consumption causes chronic pain in large proportions of pet rabbits. Rabbits housed in small hutches cannot perform natural locomotion, binkying (joyful leaping), or territorial exploration. Solitary housing denies social bonding needs. Because rabbits hide illness and pain effectively, welfare problems often go undetected until severe. Providing adequate space, correct diet, bonded companionship, and varied enrichment dramatically transforms rabbit welfare.