Differences in Feeding Management of Pet Rabbits by Owners and Hobby Breeders and Their Impact on Animals' Health: A Survey

Over the last decades, the population of pet rabbits in Europe has increased significantly, but to date studies into feeding management of these species have been mainly conducted in production animals. This study aimed to evaluate the feeding practices of both pet rabbit owners and hobby breeders in Germany and how these may affect animal health. For this purpose, a survey was conducted from July to August 2020 to collect data regarding breeding, nutritional management and animal health: 431 participants replied. Results obtained from the questionnaires highlighted several differences. Based on our results, hay is provided in large amounts by almost all participants, meeting the rabbits' need for high fibre intake. However, rabbit breeders typically provide less hay and fresh food (e.g. grass, herbage, forage plants, vegetables, fruit), and more concentrates (e.g. pellets, muesli, commercial mixes, cereals) than pet rabbit owners. Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases were common in both groups. A link was noted between feeding practices and health conditions like diarrhoea, constipation, being overweight, dental problems and the development of urolithiasis. Although recent data on rabbit obesity indicate an increasing prevalence of this condition, most breeders and owners consider their animals' body condition to be normal. Nevertheless, in this study, obesity was associated with individual housing, which is more used by hobby breeders. Results from this study suggest that owners and breeders manage rabbit feeding differently and that these choices may impact animal health.