Rabbits can be housed indoors, outdoors, or a combination of both. There are some basic considerations for housing, and then special factors that depend on the location the rabbits are housed. Size Many hutches marketed for rabbits are too small; these active and inquisitive animals need plenty of space. The…
Dental anatomy and function Rabbits have continuously growing incisor and cheek teeth without true anatomical roots. Incisors (front teeth) Rabbits have two lower and four upper incisors (The second, smaller, pair of upper incisor teeth are located behind the first incisors, and are often termed peg teeth) The upper incisors…
A cat’s body language can be subtle, so it’s not always easy to accurately read how they’re feeling. To understand your cat’s psychology, look at his or her eyes, tail, mouth and posture and use this guide to help you recognise important body language signals. A happy cat These cats…
Many rabbits are kept indoors, with free range of the house and even parts of the yard, but these unsupervised activities can put your rabbit at risk. Rabbits are great chewers, so the most dangerous household hazards are things that they can chew on and hurt themselves, such as electrical…
In Australia, the two predominant commercial breeds of meat chicken are conventional fast-growing breeds. These breeds have been selectively bred over time to rapidly gain muscle mass and reach slaughter weight at 4-5 weeks of age to meet production and consumer demands. Genetically selecting for fast growth has led to…
There are many ways that you can make sure that your puppy has lots of different and positive experiences that will help them grow into a happy and confident adult dog. Socialisation There is a ‘critical socialisation period’ for puppies between approximately 2.5 to 14 weeks of age. A puppy’s…
A mating stall is a crate used to hold a female pig for artificial insemination. In a mating stall, a female breeding pig is able to stand up or lie down but unable to turn around. It is effectively the same as a sow stall, in which a female pig…
The RSPCA is aware that across the country, many people are finding it very difficult to secure a pet-friendly rental property. This is exacerbated by rising cost of living pressures, but also in some jurisdictions, laws make it very difficult for pet owners to find a place to live with…
Stabling horses may be convenient in some situations, but it is generally not good for horses. Horses are social, herd animals and they are not evolved to live alone. Isolating and confining horses in stables restricts their movement, social interactions, and ability to graze, which negatively impacts horse welfare. The…
Desexing has numerous benefits for both male and female pet rabbits including reducing problem behaviours, facilitating easier bonding with new rabbits joining the family, preventing unwanted pregnancies, and minimising health issues in the future such as cancer of reproductive organs. Terminology A female rabbit is called a ‘doe’, a male…