Rodents: a look at their behaviour, care and welfare

Original Air Date: 23rd may 2022

Presenter Bio:

Debbie is a ABTC Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist and a full member of the APBC

She holds an MSc in Companion Animal Behaviour and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.  Her masters research looked at the link between owner attachment and the quality of care provided to pet rats.

Debbie teaches at Writtle University College, having developed the Pet Behaviour and Welfare pathway of the Animal Science and Animal Management degrees there.  She teaches about the health, handling and welfare of small mammals as well as the behaviour of companion animals.  She also runs the on-campus pet behaviour clinic in addition to her own private clinical behaviour work.  

Presentation Details:

Rodents are a diverse group of animals with varied needs and behavioural characteristics.  Usually caged, and commonly considered as children’s ‘starter’ pets, the welfare of these animals is very much at the mercy of human husbandry choices.  As owners are less likely to seek professional help for behavioural problems in rodents, this can further contribute to welfare issues.  This webinar looks at some of the most commonly kept species in the UK, including rats, hamsters and guinea pigs, and considers their species-specific needs and how these can be best met in a domestic environment to prevent and manage behaviour problems.   

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