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RVC links unnatural body shapes with rabbit health issues
The study examined records from 162,017 rabbits.
The research also addresses the impacts of diet and exercise.

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has revealed the effect that an unnatural body shape, as well as inadequate diet and exercise, can have on rabbits’ health.

The project is the largest of its kind to study pet rabbits, with the RVC VetCompass team investigating the body shapes of 162,017 rabbits that were in first opinion care during 2019.

The statistics highlighted that 79.7 per cent of these rabbits were classified as being short-headed (brachycephalic). The sample was also 16.8 per cent medium-headed (mesaticephalic) rabbits.

However, only 3.51 per cent of the rabbits investigated were classified as long-headed (dolichocephalic). The researchers believe that this highlights how much has changed with rabbits' body shapes, since long-headed rabbits are the most similar in shape to wild rabbits.

The research team also examined the veterinary clinical records of a random sample of 3,933 rabbits.

This enabled them to assess the frequency of the most common health disorders in rabbits.

Across the sample, the most common disorders were overgrown nails (28.19 per cent), overgrown molars (14.9 per cent) and obesity (8.82 per cent). Each of these disorders has been linked to limited exercise and unnatural diets.

The average adult bodyweight of the rabbits was 2.26kg, and female rabbits were assessed to be more prone to obesity than male rabbits.

Based upon these findings, researchers recommend that potential owners choose rabbits with a more natural body shape. They also recommend regular health and cleanliness checks, combined with good diet and exercise.

Dan O’Neill, associate professor of companion animal epidemiology at RVC and lead author of the study, said: “This new study helps us to understand that the health of our pet rabbits is heavily dependent on the choices we make as owners.

“Whether that be the body shapes of the rabbits we choose to acquire or the food and exercise we choose to allow our pet rabbits to enjoy, we play an important and influential role in determining whether their health is good or poor.”

The study has been published in VetRecord.

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.