Rabbit Welfare: Meeting the Five Welfare Needs at Home

Rabbits are the third most popular pet in Britain but are also among the most commonly neglected companion animals.

Key Facts

Around 900,000 rabbits are kept as pets in the UK
Rabbits require a minimum of 3 metres by 2 metres of living space with additional exercise area
They are highly social and should be kept in bonded pairs or groups
A rabbit tooth survey found over 70 percent had dental abnormalities
Most rabbits need vaccinating annually against myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease

Welfare Considerations

Pet rabbits are one of the most welfare-compromised companion animals in Britain. Traditional hutch keeping in small spaces denies rabbits the ability to run, jump, and socialise. Dental malocclusion causes chronic pain that owners often miss. Isolation causes significant psychological distress in this highly social species. GI stasis can occur rapidly in rabbits not receiving adequate hay and can be fatal within hours. Insufficient veterinary care means many rabbits live with treatable conditions.

What You Can Do

Provide a minimum of 3 by 2 metres of accommodation space with constant access to exercise area
Keep rabbits in bonded same-sex pairs or neutered male-female pairs
Feed unlimited hay which should make up 80 percent of the diet
Register with a rabbit-savvy vet and attend annual health checks
Support RWAF campaigns for improved rabbit welfare standards and owner education