UK’s 1.6 MILLION PET RABBITS FACING EARLY GRAVE

The lives of pet rabbits in Britain, the UK’s third most popular pet, are being drastically cut short due to owners’ ignorance and misinformation, according to a survey* for Rabbit Awareness Week (26th April – 2nd May 2010).

Over 50% of respondents believe that the average rabbit lives for 3 – 4 years when in fact many have a potential lifespan of more than 12 years .

The survey revealed further widespread lack of knowledge about what pet rabbits need to live longer, healthier and happier lives. Almost half of the respondents believe that vegetables, fruit and carrots are the most important food for rabbits. Whilst a small daily amount of green veg is good, a diet based solely on vegetables, fruit and carrots does not provide all the nutrients that rabbits need, leaving them malnourished.

In addition, 71% didn’t know that fibre, in the form of hay and grass, is the most vital food for rabbits – it is essential for their digestive health – without it they can die.

More than 50% of those surveyed did not know that rabbits should be kept in pairs. Companionship is key to the welfare of rabbits – without the company of another neutered rabbit they get lonely and bored. In the wild, rabbits are social creatures , a fact that doesn’t change just because they are kept as pets.

Furthermore, the commitment of owning a pet rabbit doesn’t stop at correct feeding and housing; 90% of respondents didn’t know that owning a rabbit is likely to cost more than £3,000 over the course of its lifetime!

Sean Wensley, senior veterinary surgeon at the PDSA, comments: “Despite more than a million pet rabbits currently being kept across the country, the results of this survey add to our concerns that their welfare needs are sadly misunderstood.

“It is vital that owners understand the commitment involved in owning pet rabbits, both financially and in terms of the time taken to care for them properly. It is also essential that owners understand their rabbits’ welfare needs, including their need to be fed a suitable diet, to have a large hutch and exercise run, to have company and to receive appropriate health care, including vaccinations against deadly diseases.”

Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW), running 26th April – 2nd May 2010, aims to promote good rabbit health and wellbeing amongst owners of all ages. The focus of this year’s campaign is tackling rabbit obesity – an ever-increasing problem caused by poor diet and lack of exercise. Obesity is a serious issue for rabbits and can lead to a host of life-threatening health problems, including flystrike.

During RAW, participating veterinary practices nationwide will be holding FREE rabbit health checks. These health clinics are open to everyone and will provide practical advice on how to keep rabbits happy and healthy, including information about feeding, environment, vaccinations and husbandry.

To find participating veterinary practices in your area visit www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk

:wave: Hi are you a member of the RWA? That's useful information, lets hope the message gets out there and it can make a difference to some poor little animals that are being subjected to a daily torture through ignorance.

Good info, but you are preaching to the converted here, most of us know this stuff

But i suppose its good for any newbies.

The poster might, possibly, be a professional author according to information available via a Google search.

Mark Andrew Woodcock - EzineArticles.com Expert Author

Mark has been an online author for over 10 years and specialises in managing the online marketing for a large number of bluechip clients.

Snouter said:

The poster might, possibly, be a professional author according to information available via a Google search.

Mark Andrew Woodcock - EzineArticles.com Expert Author

Mark has been an online author for over 10 years and specialises in managing the online marketing for a large number of bluechip clients.

Click to expand...

Well if he is producing info like this then it's only a good thing, lets hope the message gets out loud and clear to the one's who need to hear it and lets hope the days of bad back yard breeding especially for food are licensed to ensure the victims are at least entitled to a minimum standard by law in terms of the conditions they endure whilst waiting to be culled.:evil:

Mark's post makes for extremely depressing reading and I dont take issue with any of it.

We have a newly neutered female looked after for someone else which we have had for about two years and after a long history of illness and vets fees are hoping that she has finally turned the corner. The latest diagnosis has been mummified kits from way back and uterine cysts and she has also managed to put her back out at some previous stage. She lives in the house with us and has free range of the living room and whatever else she wants.

We do however love her to bits and are prepared to look after her until the end of her natural life. We do not want to get another rabbit for company as we have found rabbit ownership to be very difficult and upsetting and full of misconceptions as Mark says. One of us is with her nearly all of the time and she though often tired because of her medical problems is never depressed and has the energy to grumble and growl if we try to make her do something she doesn't want. She loves her toys and will play flip and toss for hours, which is good for her back.

Her diet is something we are working on in conjunction with advice from the Forum and we think that she has a good standard of life. I can understand the concerns of Rabbit Awareness Week and would hope that it goes some way to disspelling the Bugs Bunny myths but we do feel a little inadequate in respect of some of the comments made as we do our best on a limited income and would see no harm come to our rabbit.

Peridot

Peridot said:

Mark's post makes for extremely depressing reading and I dont take issue with any of it.

We have a newly neutered female looked after for someone else which we have had for about two years and after a long history of illness and vets fees are hoping that she has finally turned the corner. The latest diagnosis has been mummified kits from way back and uterine cysts and she has also managed to put her back out at some previous stage. She lives in the house with us and has free range of the living room and whatever else she wants.

We do however love her to bits and are prepared to look after her until the end of her natural life. We do not want to get another rabbit for company as we have found rabbit ownership to be very difficult and upsetting and full of misconceptions as Mark says. One of us is with her nearly all of the time and she though often tired because of her medical problems is never depressed and has the energy to grumble and growl if we try to make her do something she doesn't want. She loves her toys and will play flip and toss for hours, which is good for her back.

Her diet is something we are working on in conjunction with advice from the Forum and we think that she has a good standard of life. I can understand the concerns of Rabbit Awareness Week and would hope that it goes some way to disspelling the Bugs Bunny myths but we do feel a little inadequate in respect of some of the comments made as we do our best on a limited income and would see no harm come to our rabbit.

Peridot

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:wave: I don't think the intention is to make anyone feel inadequate but, advice and guidance has to be generalised to apply to the majority. Every owner is different as is every rabbit, you do the best you can for your rabbit and as she is indoors she will inevitably get a lot of interaction, mental stimulation and company - I think he is referring to the rabbits that are sat alone at the bottom of a garden in a hutch day after day. I hope you have turned the corner with her now and she will get better and stronger.