Behavioural reactions of rabbits during AAI sessions

Abstract

The use of rabbits for therapy is becoming more popular. However, only a few studies have been conducted into their welfare during these sessions. The question arises: How do these prey animals experience such close contact with humans, often with children, when their instinctive reaction is to flee and hide? Recent studies have shown that small movements of the eyes, ears, nostrils, or jaw are indicative of the emotional state of animals. The aim of the presented pilot study was therefore to assess the emotional state of rabbits based on behavioural changes during animal assisted interventions (AAI) in three different situations. The randomized controlled in-house experiment, with repeated measurements, involved 9 female domesticated rabbits of 9–10 months of age, which were used to being handled by humans, and 4 boys aged 9–11 years. The rabbits were observed in the following situations: a) on a specially adapted table without any human intervention and with the possibility for the rabbit to retreat, b) on a specially adapted table with participant present and with the possibility to retreat, c) on a pillow on the child’s lap during an AAI. Several behaviour indicators were observed, namely the position of the rabbit’s ears, the openness of the eyes, the freeze reaction, and the frequency of self-grooming. The behaviour of the rabbits was video-recorded and then analysed using Observer XT software. For the statistical analysis, SAS software (version 9.4; procedures MIXED and GLIMMIX) was used. When placed on a child’s lap, the rabbits displayed significantly more discomfort compared to both table situations, as evidenced by the length of time their ears were pressed back and their eyes were closed, and by the higher frequency of the freeze reaction. The significant positive effect of the specially adapted table was behaviourally evident in terms of lower frequency of the freeze reaction compared to the lap situation. The length of time the rabbits’ ears were pressed back was significantly shorter in the situation with the table and a child present compared to when they were directly placed on a child’s lap. Shorter duration of eyes closed was apparent in the situation with the table and a child present compared to situation on a child’s lap, but the difference was not significant. This study reveals that rabbits experience negative emotional response during AAI sessions. Further studies are therefore needed to better understand a rabbit’s emotional state when used for AAI.