Rabbit welfare: Misconceptions regarding rabbit behaviour
- Autores: A.G. Bradbury
- Localización: Veterinary Record, ISSN-e 2042-7670, Vol. 176, Nº. 15, 2015, págs. 392-392
- Idioma: inglés
- Enlaces
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Resumen
I READ the recent letter from Oxley and Ellis (VR, March 28, 2015, vol 176, pp 339-340) with great interest. They suggested educating owners on the stress of tonic immobility in rabbits and they supported their case well. However, ‘trancing’ is part of a wider problem with inappropriate handling of rabbits. For example, Buseth and Saunders (2014) also point out that ‘it is important to be aware that not every rabbit will be comfortable to sit on the lap or be carried . . . A rabbit that does not accept being lifted or carried around is after all just behaving like a rabbit.’ I run a website and a YouTube channel on rabbit behaviour and frequently receive requests for advice. The expectation of rabbit owners that their pets should enjoy being handled is widespread. Some have also been told by their vets to handle their pets regularly to check for flystrike. Many of my viewers express concern that, despite sensible desensitisation and counter-conditioning, their rabbits still run away or defend themselves against being lifted. They ask if there is anything they can do.
One can train a rabbit to be lifted but this should be an exceptional occurrence, with normal interaction happening on the floor and flystrike management addressed by better diet, better enclosures and visual checks when the rabbit is reaching up for a treat. The repeated stress of lifting leads to fear and aggression and, although some unusual rabbits will easily tolerate it, especially if well socialised as kits, it is important for people to recognise that regular handling is for human, not rabbit, benefit.....
