Knowledge and attitudes of 52 UK pet rabbit owners at the point of sale

The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitudes of pet rabbit owners at the time of buying their rabbit(s) and to investigate factors influencing the planned husbandry and housing of their rabbit(s). A questionnaire was used to assess the impact of demographics, knowledge and atti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Veterinary record 2011-04, Vol.168 (13), p.353-353
Main Authors: Edgar, J. L., Mullan, S. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Feed
Animal Husbandry - methods
Animal Husbandry - standards
Animal Husbandry - statistics & numerical data
Animal Welfare
Animals
Bonding, Human-Pet
Commerce
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Housing, Animal
Humans
Male
Ownership - statistics & numerical data
Rabbits
Surveys and Questionnaires
United Kingdom
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Summary:The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitudes of pet rabbit owners at the time of buying their rabbit(s) and to investigate factors influencing the planned husbandry and housing of their rabbit(s). A questionnaire was used to assess the impact of demographics, knowledge and attitudes on the likelihood that respondents would neuter their rabbit(s), feed them an appropriate diet, house them in appropriately sized housing and provide them with an appropriate companion. Knowledge and attitudes were significant factors in whether respondents planned to neuter their rabbit(s) and provide them with an appropriate companion. The attribution of secondary emotions to rabbits was associated with plans to feed a mix-type diet. The majority of owners had carried out prior research into pet rabbits, but owners had a limited knowledge of the needs of rabbits, particularly with respect to their diet and social needs. Respondents who had decided to purchase a rabbit on the day were less likely to intend to get their rabbit neutered than those who had taken more time to decide to buy a rabbit.
ISSN:0042-4900
2042-7670
DOI:10.1136/vr.c6191