Pet rabbits are among the most commonly kept yet frequently misunderstood companion animals, often housed in conditions that fail to meet their complex social and physical needs.
The welfare needs of pet rabbits are systematically misunderstood by the general public. Small hutch housing, solitary keeping, and inadequate hay diets are widespread and cause chronic suffering. Rabbits that cannot run, jump, or interact with companions show stereotypic behaviours indicating poor welfare. The gap between actual keeping conditions and welfare guidelines is wider for rabbits than almost any other common companion animal, making education and standard-setting particularly important.