Majority of pet rabbits now house rabbits
House rabbits have become more popular.
Research from veterinary charity PDSA has revealed that for the first time house rabbits are more popular than outdoor rabbits in the UK.
Fifty-one per cent of the pet rabbit population (an estimated 560,000 rabbits) are now kept predominantly inside their owner’s house, a large rise from August 2020, when only 39 per cent of rabbits lived inside.
However, inadequate housing is still an issue, with 22 per cent of all pet rabbits living in small hutches with minimal or no run space.
PDSA veterinary nurse Shauna Walsh said: “If you have rabbits that live predominantly inside your home, they will still need regular access to the outdoors, so they get enough daylight and vitamin D, as well as the opportunity to spend time grazing.
“It is also important to ensure you ‘bunny-proof’ your home, as it is natural for rabbits to chew. Rabbits are likely to nibble anything they have access to – including wires and cables. Give them toys that they can chew on safely, and make sure wires aren’t easily accessible.”
SPVS and FIVP have collaborated to launch a short survey about the proposed reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act.
