Professional paper

https://doi.org/ISSN 0303-5409

Housing as a factor in the welfare of pet rabbits

Magdalena Neva Oelsner orcid.org/0009-0009-9081-3630 ; Student, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb *

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Rabbits are highly social and sensitive animals. They require a sufficiently spacious housing environment to
express species-specific behaviors, which help reduce stress and maintain overall welfare. Providing more space results in better physical condition, more successful socialization, and lower stress levels, whereas housing in confined conditions negatively affects both their mental and physical health, significantly compromising their welfare.
Additionally, environmental enrichment with digging materials and interactive toys has been shown to reduce the occurrence of abnormal behavior, while encouraging the expression of species-specific behavior.

Keywords

housing; welfare; rabbits

Hrčak ID:

331003

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/331003

Publication date:

20.5.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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