Rabbit

Impact of different controlled temperature and humidity conditions on the behaviour, posture and spatial needs in fattening rabbits

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of thermal conditions on the posture and behaviour of fattening rabbits and to determine the minimum space allowance and height required in a transport container to allow for thermoregulatory behaviours. Thirty-six rabbits (2.27...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Contreras-Jodar, A., Dalmau, A., Bagaria, M. et al. 2025. Impact of different controlled temperature and humidity conditions on the behaviour, posture and spatial needs in fattening rabbits. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Effect of space allowance and transport container height on the welfare of fattening rabbits under different environmental thermal conditions

This study evaluated the combined effects of container space allowance, height, and ambient thermal conditions on the welfare of fattening rabbits during simulated transport. Nine hundred rabbits were exposed to three space allowances (121, 150, and 191 cm2/kg; S121, S150,...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Contreras-Jodar, A., Dalmau, A., Bagaria, M. et al. 2025. Effect of space allowance and transport container height on the welfare of fattening rabbits under different environmental thermal conditions. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Reducing hormonal inputs in rabbit reproduction: Physical ovulation induction with a 3D-printed cannula

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 3D-printed cannula in inducing ovulation in female rabbits without exogenous GnRH analogues. A total of 325 inseminations were performed across different physiological stages: nulliparous, multiparous lactating, and multiparous non-lactating does. Two insemination methods...

Year Published: 2025Topics: ReproductionAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Castillo, J. J., Vicente, J. S., Marco-Jiménez, F. et al. 2025. Reducing hormonal inputs in rabbit reproduction: Physical ovulation induction with a 3D-printed cannula. Animals 15(17), 2544.

Mental Health and Well-being in Animals

Since the publication of the first edition of this book, professional and public concern for the well-being of animals has continued to increase throughout the world. Advances in research and technologies have yielded an enormous amount of new knowledge about...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Baboon, Bird, Capuchin, Cat, Chicken, Chimpanzee, Crocodile & Alligator, Dog, Equine, Fish, Gibbon, Goat, Lemur, Lizard, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Animal, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Parrot, Pig, Rabbit, Reptile, Salmon, Sheep, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Trout, Turtle & Tortoise, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: McMillan, F. D. (Ed.) 2025. Mental Health and Well-being in Animals (3rd ed.). CAB International, Oxfordshire, UK. 464 p.

Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals

This 30-chapter volume informs students and professionals about the behavioral biology of animals commonly housed in laboratory and other captive settings. Each species evolved under specific environmental conditions, resulting in unique behavioral patterns, many of which are maintained in captivity...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & Companionship, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Amphibian, Baboon, Capuchin, Cat, Cattle, Chicken, Crocodile & Alligator, Dog, Equine, Ferret, Finch, Fish, Fowl, Frog & Toad, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Lizard, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Rodent, Owl Monkey, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Reptile, Rodent, Salamander, Sheep, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Turtle & Tortoise, Vervet (African Green Monkey), Zebrafish

Citation: Coleman, K., Schapiro, S. J. (Eds.) 2022. Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals (1st Ed.). CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 560 p.

Behavioral effects of floor pens as environmental enrichment for laboratory rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Laboratory animals are indispensable for science, particularly in biomedical research. Their welfare must meet their physical, social and physiological needs. Ethological evaluations are crucial for identifying and correcting abnormal behaviors caused by captivity, often through tools like environmental enrichment (EE)....

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Vilardo, V. B., Pinto, M. S. F., de Carvalho e Silva, A. M. P. T. et al. 2025. Behavioral effects of floor pens as environmental enrichment for laboratory rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 286, 106629.

Behavioral and performance effects on female offspring from rabbit does housed in enriched cages during gestation and lactation

In mammals, intrauterine experiences and early-life conditions can influence future behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of enriched and conventional cages for rabbit does during gestation and lactation on the behavior and performance of the first generation of...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Nakamura, G. K. C., Alencar, D., Costa, L. B. et al. 2025. Behavioral and performance effects on female offspring from rabbit does housed in enriched cages during gestation and lactation. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 285, 106576.

Evaluation of different intramuscular injectable anesthetic combinations in rabbits: Impact on anesthetic depth, physiological parameters, and EEG recordings (2025)

Rabbits have a high anesthesia-related mortality rate because of their small size, high metabolic rate and challenging airway management. This study aimed to investigate different combinations of intramuscularly administered anesthetics in New Zealand White rabbits, focusing on their effects on...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Anesthesia & Sedation, Surgery & Post-OpAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Schmid, M.-L., Werner, J., Saller, A. M. et al. 2025. Evaluation of different intramuscular injectable anesthetic combinations in rabbits: Impact on anesthetic depth, physiological parameters, and EEG recordings. PLOS ONE 20(2), e0319106.

What are the most prevalent welfare issues for pet small mammals? (2025)

The welfare of pet small mammals is an understudied, but growing research topic in the UK and Europe. We surveyed European veterinary experts who each rated severity and prevalence of a large number of issues in the eight most common...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Handling, HousingAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Hamster, Mouse, Other Rodent, Rabbit, Rodent

Citation: Fenton, L., Benato, L., Mancinelli, E. et al. 2025. What are the most prevalent welfare issues for pet small mammals? Animals 15(10), 1423.

Can a rabbit-human habituation programme reduce stress and aggressive behaviour? (2024)

To reduce handling induced stress and promote rabbit welfare we implemented a rabbit-human habituation programme at our breeding facility.

Year Published: 2024Topics: HandlingAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Esparza, K., Leal, A., Rabany, B. et al. 2024. Can a rabbit-human habituation programme reduce stress and aggressive behaviour? Animal Technology and Welfare 23(3), 197–200.