Owner demographic factors are associated with suitable pet rabbit housing provision in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: Rabbits are popular pets, but research into their welfare is limited. This study analysed the potential association(s) between the provision of suitable housing and owner demographic factors. Methods: Data from 2017, 2018 and 2019 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) report surveys gave a sample of 1333 UK rabbit owners. Whether the rabbit housing was adequate or inadequate was ascertained by asking owners to indicate images of hutch and run size or indoor environment type that were similar to their own. The owner demographic factors collected included gender, education, household income and deprivation. Chi-squared tests and binary logistic regression (univariable and multivariable) were used to investigate factors associated with adequate/inadequate housing. Results: One-third (31.2%) of rabbits lived in inadequate housing and half were housed alone (51.4%). Male owners were more likely to report providing inadequate housing than females (odds ratio [OR] = 1.795, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.319-2.441, p < 0.001). Compared to owners over 55 years old, those aged 25-34 years were more likely to house their rabbits inadequately (OR = 2.050, 95% CI 1.286-3.267, p = 0.003). Owners with a household income below average were more likely to report providing inadequate housing compared to those with a household income above average (OR = 1.406, 95% CI 1.025-1.928, p = 0.035). Conclusion:The findings identify that inadequate rabbit housing is provided by owners of all ages, genders and deprivation levels but highlight some particular owner demographics that could be useful to target if resources are limited.

Perceptions of the rabbit as a low investment ‘starter pet’ lead to negative impacts on its welfare: Results of two Danish surveys

“…We found rabbits to be among the most popular companion animals in Denmark, present in approximately 3% of households. This finding is in accordance with previous studies from Northern Europe (Schepers et al 2009;Mäkitaipale et al 2015;Ulfsdotter et al 2016;PFMA 2019;Mee et al 2022;PDSA 2022). The average lifespan of a companion rabbit was found to be six years, in line with reports from the UK of 5.6 years (Rooney et al 2014) and the Netherlands of 6.7 years (Vink et al 2018).…”

“…There were clearly more female (95%) than male (5%) responders in Survey II, as has been reported in previous rabbit surveys: for example, 94% female respondents in McMahon and Wigham ( 2020 ) and 89% female respondents in Rooney et al ( 2014 ). This could be either because rabbits are more likely to be kept by female owners (Mee et al 2022 ) or because females may be more prone to participate in surveys (Smith 2008 ). We can point out the actual source of the gender distribution by comparing Survey II with the patterns in Survey 1.…”

“…The domestic rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus ) is kept for various purposes, including experimental research, meat production and showing in exhibitions, but in Denmark and most other European countries its most common role is as a companion animal. It has been ranked as the third most popular companion animal after dogs and cats in various European countries (Schepers et al 2009 ; Mäkitaipale et al 2015 ; Ulfsdotter et al 2016 ; Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association [PFMA] 2019 ; Mee et al 2022 ; People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals [PDSA] 2022 ). Its wild counterpart lives in large colonies made up of several stable groups (DiVincenti & Rehrig 2016 ) with large individual territory sizes (Surridge et al 1999 ; Devillard et al 2008 ; d’Ovidio et al 2016 ).…”

“…The few studies that have been carried out show that many companion rabbits are managed under inadequate husbandry, consequently raising concerns about their welfare. For example, health problems, unsuitable feeding regimes and estimates of reduced lifespan have been reported in companion rabbits in several European countries (Schepers et al 2009 ; Stapleton 2014 ; Mäkitaipale et al 2015 ; Johnson & Burn 2019 ; O’Neill et al 2020 ), as have various less than optimal husbandry conditions, including housing rabbits solitarily or under inappropriate social housing arrangements, incorporating little or no enrichment, using unsuitable sized housing and inappropriate handling methods, among other welfare challenges (Mullan & Main 2006 ; Schepers et al 2009 ; Edgar & Mullan 2011 ; Rooney et al 2014 ; McIndoe et al 2022 ; Mee et al 2022 ; PDSA 2022 ). All of these husbandry conditions have been highlighted by experts as seriously impinging on the welfare of rabbits (Rioja-Lang et al 2019 ).…”

Owners of dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction report higher levels of caregiver burden

“…12 The 527 owners who responded to the survey were predominantly female, which is a common finding in pet survey work. [14][15][16] The participants' responses to the DISHAA questions suggested that 75 per cent of their dogs (n=403) had some degree of CCD, with the majority showing mild changes. 12 While in line with previous estimates, this prevalence figure is likely to be somewhat biased by the self-selecting study population.…”