Does a stronger bond with pet rabbits equate to better husbandry conditions for them?
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41210%2F24%3A96374" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41210/24:96374 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159123003155#keys0005" target="_blank" >https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159123003155#keys0005</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2023.106143" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.applanim.2023.106143</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Does a stronger bond with pet rabbits equate to better husbandry conditions for them?
Original language description
Rabbits are becoming one of the most popular pets in western countries, including the Czech Republic. Until now, the welfare-husbandry conditions of rabbits in correlation with owner attachment to the rabbit has never been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the bond with a rabbit and selected factors, such as ownership of a dog and/or cat, the time spent with the rabbit, and the age of any children living in the household, have an impact on a pet rabbit’s husbandry conditions. Data was gathered on the basis of a questionnaire survey conducted among pet rabbit owners in the Czech Republic. In total, 1651 completed questionnaires were collected through various channels, namely veterinary surgeries, pet shops, breeders, and social media. The questions covered demographics, living conditions, the presence of children and/or other pets, and the strength of the bond. We found that living with a child/children under 12 years of age, owning a dog and a cat, and spending less time with the rabbit were associated with a decreased bond between the owner and the rabbit. It was also found that decreased time spent with the rabbit is associated with decreased animal husbandry conditions. However, only a weak association was found between the bond of the owners to their rabbit and its welfare-husbandry conditions. Overall, the most alarming finding was that over 80% of companion rabbits in Czech Republic are kept in isolation. In conclusion, the amount of time owners spend with their rabbit appears to be a suitable parameter for determining the strength of the bond attachment and husbandry conditions of the rabbit. There were minimal differences between the strength of the bond and the breeding status of the rabbit if there was a child and/or other pets such as a dog and/or cat in the household. The role of rabbits has changed recently, and it is therefore necessary to conduct comprehensive research into rabbit welfare.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
40301 - Veterinary science
Result continuities
Project
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Continuities
S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach
Others
Publication year
2024
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Applied Animal Behaviour Science
ISSN
0168-1591
e-ISSN
1872-9045
Volume of the periodical
270
Issue of the periodical within the volume
JAN 2024
Country of publishing house
NL - THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS
Number of pages
10
Pages from-to
0-10
UT code for WoS article
001153405600001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-85181938827