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Practices urged to get involved with Rabbit Awareness Week
Forty-two per cent of veterinary professionals felt diet was a top five welfare issue for rabbits.

This year’s theme is ‘Healthy Diet, Happy Bunnies’.

The organisers behind Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) have released a free veterinary resource pack, as they urge practices to discuss rabbit diets with clients.

The theme of this year’s RAW, which runs from 24-28 June, is ‘Healthy Diet, Happy Bunnies’.

Practices across the UK will be educating clients about the importance of a healthy diet for rabbits, and the health problems that can result from a poor diet.

The topic follows the publication of the PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report, which revealed that only 73 per cent of owners feed their rabbit hay as its main food. Not feeding rabbits enough hay can be linked to rabbit obesity, and can also affect their natural behaviours.

Instead, 13 per cent of rabbit owners were giving their rabbit a muesli mix as its main type of food.

Feeding rabbits muesli-based diets is linked to several different health problems, including obesity, dental disease and gastrointestinal disease. It can also reduce a rabbit’s water intake.

The PAW report found that 42 per cent of veterinary professionals considered diet to be among the top five welfare issues affecting rabbits.

The free RAW resource pack provides practices with a collection of rabbit care guides, health logs and printable posters that they can use throughout the week. It also provides other tips and advice on neutering, environment and companionship.

This is the 18th year of the campaign, led by Burgess Pet Care, which is supported by the RSPCA, Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund, Woodgreen Pets Charity, Blue Cross and Raystede. It is also endorsed by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

Suzanne Moyes, deputy managing director and in-house veterinary surgeon at Burgess Pet Care, said: “The good news is our research found that 98 per cent of vets believe RAW continues to have a positive impact on the care of the UK’s pet rabbits. However, as the latest PAW report shows, there’s still work to be done to educate owners about rabbits’ diet and other key welfare needs.

“This is why we’re committed to helping these unique creatures live the happy life they deserve.”

The resource pack can be downloaded for free here.

Image © Shutterstock

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.