Research by The University of Edinburgh, supported by Burgess Pet Care, has shown feeding muesli-style foods, with or without hay, is linked to abnormalities that can lead to painful dental and digestive problems that require veterinary treatment.
The results from the study into rabbit nutrition are set to change the way rabbits are fed in future.
Key findings from the authoritative report include:
- Slower gut motility, which can put rabbits at a high risk of gut stasis, an often fatal condition
- Eating less hay, which can lead to abnormal growth of teeth that could develop into painful dental disease Lower hay consumption also results in reduction in water intake, which in turn could lead to urinary tract problems
- Not eating all their caecotrophs, meaning they may not get all the nutrition they need and uneaten caecotrophs may become matted in rabbits’ fur, putting them at risk of dermatitis and fly strike
- Selective feeding, where rabbits pick out their favourite pieces rather than eating the whole portion, which can lead to an imbalanced diet lacking in vital vitamins and minerals
- The recent research has also shown that eating muesli-style foods without hay can cause rabbits to become overweight or obese
Professor Anna Meredith from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, said: “The findings of this research have significant implications for the feeding of the Nation’s rabbits.
"Vets have suspected for a number of years that feeding muesli-style foods could lead to health issues in rabbits, and now we have the proof to substantiate that.”
Paul Miley, Managing Director at Burgess Pet Care, said: “It will come as no surprise to vets and indeed the pet food industry that feeding muesli-style foods to fibrevores is unhealthy. What will be a surprise is the clarity of Professor Meredith’s findings.
"The findings of this two-year independent study in layman’s language are quite simple; muesli-style rabbit food is linked to painful and often fatal digestive and dental conditions.
"Good retailers and the veterinary profession have long endorsed the Excel Feeding Plan, and now they have the evidence to actively dissuade owners from feeding muesli.
"With this research, we and our Rabbit Awareness Week partners will seek to eliminate this dangerous food stuff from the pet food aisles. To assist this transition we’re offering a full range of educational materials for vets, vet nurses, staff and of course consumers, with clear instruction on how to feed a healthy diet, the issue with muesli, and how to safely manage the transition.
"As the physiology of guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus (‘fibrevores’) are similar to that of a rabbit then these findings have demonstrable implications for these animals too.”
Commencing on May 4, Rabbit Awareness Week, backed by the leading UK animal charities RSPCA, Wood Green, Blue Cross, PDSA and RWAF, is also running a mass education programme among rabbit owners to stop the selling of muesli-style foods in its tracks and support the health of the Nation’s third most popular pet.
Offering free health checks and rabbit related events nationwide at participating vets and retailers, the RAW partnership will also be undertaking a national media campaign to highlight the plight of rabbits and raise awareness of the free health checks on offer.
Vets and retailers interested in supporting the cause can sign up to be part of RAW 2013, by hosting rabbit healthcare clinics at your veterinary surgery or events in your store or rescue centre, by visiting www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk to order your free support kit and register your event.
Upon registering, free support packs are issued to help advertise and run your own health check events, as well as care advice materials to give out to clients who bring their rabbits into your surgery, store or rescue centre.
