Following a British Veterinary Association survey last year showed 1 in 5 British vets are concerned about rabbits kept as pets, and are urging owners to think about lonely rabbits and rabbit welfare generally during Rabbit Awareness Week (9th – 17th May 2015)
22% of companion animal vets responded that people should be discouraged from keeping rabbits unless these animals can be properly looked after.
Many of the vets who responded to the survey voiced concerns about single rabbits kept in hutches by themselves. Rabbits are very social animals and need contact with their own kind. Being kept on their own causes these animals to experience boredom, frustration and fear.
Last year’s PDSA Animal Wellbeing report highlighted how widespread and serious ‘Bugsy Alone’ syndrome is, reporting that in 2013, 65% of pet rabbits were living alone.
BVA President John Blackwell commented:
“Do your research first – ask your vet and read through helpful documents such as the Animal Welfare Foundation’s free Caring For Rabbits leaflet.
“Rabbits need the companionship of other rabbits and should never be kept alone with guinea-pigs.
“Potential rabbit owners also need to think about where their rabbits will live and what they eat. They need to be able to hide from danger and they need to be able to run, jump and dig as they would in the wild.
“We know as vets the pleasure that pet ownership can bring to the whole family, including children. But the golden rule is always to put the animal’s welfare first so that you have a happy, healthy animal who is part of the family.”