Water intake in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from open dishes and nipple drinkers under different water and feeding regimes

Abstract

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are often presented suffering from urolithiasis. A high water intake is important in the prophylaxis of uroliths. We investigated the influence factors for water intake using 12 rabbits subjected to different feed and water regimes with practical relevance: Hay, fresh parsley, a seed mix and two different pelleted feed were offered in diverse combinations. Water was provided either by open dish or nipple drinker. Water was accessible ad libitum except for four treatments with 6 h or 12 h water access. Under the different feeding regimes, the drinker had no influence on water intake, but faecal dry matter content was significantly higher with nipple drinkers [60.0 ± 2.1 vs. 57.2 ± 2.1% of wet weight (mean ± 95% confidence interval), p = 0.003]. Dry food led to a higher drinking water intake but total water intake was still lower than with addition of 'fresh' food. With restricted water access, rabbits exhibited a significantly higher water intake with open dishes compared with nipple drinkers (54.9 ± 9.8 vs. 48.1 ± 8.2 g/kg(0.75) /day (mean ± 95% confidence interval), p = 0.04). High proportions of fresh parsley or hay in the diet enhanced total water intake and urine output, and led to lower urinary dry matter content and lower urinary calcium concentrations. Restricted access to drinkers led to a decreased total daily water intake and increased dry matter content of urine and faeces. For optimal water provision and urolith prophylaxis, we recommend a diet with a high 'fresh food' proportion as well as additionally hay ad libitum with free water access, offered in an open bowl. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are often presented suffering from urolithiasis. A high water 17 intake is important in the prophylaxis of uroliths. We investiaged influence factors for water 18 intake using 12 rabbits subjected to different feed and water regimes with practical relevance: 19Hay, fresh parsley, a seed mix and two different pelleted feed were offered in diverse 20 combinations. Water was provided by open dish or nipple drinker. Water was accessible ad 21 libitum except for 4 treatments with 6h or 12h water access. Under the different feeding 22 regimes, the drinker had no influence on water intake, but faecal dry matter content was 23 significantly higher with nipple drinkers (60.0 ± 2.1 vs. 57.2 ± 2.1 % of wet weight (mean ± 24 95% CI), p = 0.003). Dry food led to a higher drinking water intake but total water intake was 25 still lower than with addtition of 'fresh' food. With restricted water access, rabbits exhibited a 26 significantly higher water intake with open dishes compared to nipple drinkers (54.9 ± 9.8 vs. 2748.1 ± 8.2 g kg -0.75 d -1 (mean ± 95% CI), p = 0.04). High proportions of fresh parsley or hay in 28 the diet enhanced total water intake and urine output, and led to lower urinary dry matter 29 content and lower urinary calcium concentrations. Restricted access to drinkers led to a 30 decreased total daily water intake and increased dry matter content of urine and faeces. F...

Influence of diet on calcium metabolism, tissue calcification and urinary sludge in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)*

“…Because water intake is positively correlated to urine production in this and other studies (Tschudin et al., 2011b), dietary measures that increase water intake can be expected to be particularly favourable for the prevention of urolithiasis. As in another study (Tschudin et al., 2011b), a diet dominated by grass hay was associated with a water intake that is higher than that expected based on the usual water: DM intake ratio in rabbits (cf. Table 2).…”

“…Growing rabbits, such as used in this study, are generally less prone to soft tissue calcifications (Kamphues et al., 1986). Another reason might be in the fact that open dish‐type drinkers with circular access was used, which allowed rapid access to drinking water at all times (Tschudin et al., 2011a), without the danger of individual rabbits monopolizing the water source, and which led to water intakes within the range usually reported in experiments (Tschudin et al., 2011b). Although many pet rabbits are also offered drinking water from open dishes, a certain proportion of owners offers nipple drinkers, and some appear to underestimate the water requirements of their pet rabbits (Tschudin et al., 2011c); it is therefore possible that restricted water access is among the causes of urolithiasis in pet rabbits.…”

Biology and Diseases of Rabbits

“…Consumption of water is influenced by environmental temperature, disease states, and feed composition and intake (Cizek, 1961;Tschudin et al, 2011). In general, daily water intake is approximately 120 ml/kg of body weight.…”

Technical note: Influence of feed on image quality of abdominal ultrasonography in New Zealand white kits

“…This could shorten the gastrointestinal transit time and decrease gas accumulation in the jejunum. Additionally, increased water consumption has been correlated with hay consumption (Tschudin et al, 2011), indicating that it may be beneficial to take, as similarly observed in humans, where fluid intake before sonography allows for the differentiation of bowel loops (Nylund et al, 2009).…”