Influence of management on the behaviour of pet rabbits in Switzerland

Abstract

Introduction Pet rabbits are reported as being kept in housing systems that neither offer adequate space, nor appropriate environmental or social stimuli. The incapacity to cope with these environments would lead to physical and psychological changes, resulting in increased aggression, destruction, or repetitive behaviours. In industrially kept rabbits, a causal connection between inadequate management conditions and physical or psychological changes has been proven. The purpose of this study was to investigate the husbandry and the behaviour of pet rabbits in Switzerland, and to examine how factors like housing conditions, social environment or activities relate to the behaviour of pet rabbits.
Methodology A questionnaire survey was used to collect data about pet rabbit owners and the husbandry, management and behaviour of their rabbits. 280 questionnaires were distributed to pet owners mainly in veterinary practices/clinics and to privately recruited owners in Switzerland. Questionnaire data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).
Results 80 questionnaires were suitable for analysis. 98.8% of the pet rabbits were provided with hay, 96% with objects to gnaw. Most housing systems contained enrichment objects besides the basic furniture of water or food bowls. 45% of the pet rabbits were kept inside the house or apartment, 55% outside. House rabbits were kept more frequently as single animals and had less stimulation from the company of other household pets. The mean size of housing systems was smaller for inside rabbits, but was compensated by free runs inside or stays outside. Interactions for inside rabbits were longer and consisted of more play and caress. All respondents of the study rated rabbit behaviour equally. Rabbit attachment behaviours scored rather high (mean = 3.1918, std. deviation = 1.070) and were highly positively correlated with owner attachment. Owner attachment did not vary with the different factors. Aggressive behaviours during manipulations by the owners scored low (mean = 1.6315, std. deviation = 0.46795), these behaviours were not predicted by husbandry or housing conditions. Destructive behaviours (mean = 1.7817, std. deviation = 0.73428) showed weak positive correlations with the rabbits’ social environment.
Conclusions Concerns regarding inadequate management and housing conditions of pet rabbits in Switzerland have not been confirmed. However, behaviour was rated by a self-selecting group of generally highly attached owners, thus the husbandry conditions of this sample may not give a true picture of the husbandry and care of pet rabbits in Switzerland in general. The scores for behaviour were not the result of scientific observations under defined and reproducible conditions. Further studies are necessary to evaluate management and housing condition of pet rabbits in Switzerland and in other countries.

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ORCID for F. Bishop: orcid.org/0000-0002-8737-6662

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