Pet Rabbit FAQs

Quick Bits Of Pet Rabbit Information

Q.  How long do pet rabbits live?

A.  Pet rabbits can live between 7 and 12 years.  To extend the life of your pet rabbit, consider neutering or spaying. 

Q.  My new Holland lop has ears that stand up straight.  Will they ever lop?

A.  Ears on Hollands will lop sometime between 3 weeks and 6 months, and perhaps occasionally later (even as late as three years).  Bunnies that have narrow crowns or are slow-maturing will lop later.  Bunnies with wider crowns or long and heavy ears, and those that mature more quickly will lop sooner.  Almost all Holland Lops can exhibit ear control when they are excited.  Ear carriage should be evaluated when the bunny is relaxed.

Q.  Which gender makes a better pet?

A.  Generally, male rabbits have a better pet personality.  Female rabbits can become defensive of their potential nesting areas.  Spaying or neutering makes either an even better pet.  It is worth mentioning that some people have unaltered female pet rabbits that are wonderful.

Q.  Do male rabbits always spray?

A.  I have a number of male rabbits that never spray and a few who have sprayed for a short period in their lives (after moving here, for example).  I have had no rabbits spray on a long-term basis.  The problem of spraying is overstated, in my opinion.

Q.  Do rabbits like carrots and lettuce?

A.  Yes, they do like them.  But carrots should be regarded as a sugary treat and lettuces should be avoided altogether.  A 1-inch slice of a large carrot or one baby carrot is enough for a daily treat.  Some of the higher fiber leaf lettuces may be tolerated by some rabbits, but head lettuce can cause a watery diarrhea and lead to death.  By the way, most rabbits actually prefer the green carrot top over the carrot itself.  Some pet rabbits have been killed by being fed carrot-only diets or too much iceberg lettuce.

Q.  Do pet rabbits need shots like puppies?

A.  Being caged animals, pet rabbits do not require shots such as rabies.  Vaccinations are not necessary.  Always check with your vet for recommendations, however.

Q.  Is there any preventive medical care necessary for pet rabbits?

A.  I worm my Holland Lops once a month with Safeguard for horses and treat them twice a year with Ivomec.  Check with your small animal vet for recommendations.

Q.  How big should a pet rabbit cage be?

A.  With smaller rabbit breeds, indoor pet rabbits may be housed in a rabbit cage 15"  x 24" as long as they spend part of their day outside their cage.  A 30" rabbit cage is a much better choice.  Still better are rabbit condos and larger cages which help your rabbit get all of the exercise he or she needs.  Obviously larger breeds require more space.

Q.  Is red urine from my pet rabbit a sign of a medical condition?

A.  No, unless the consistency is more like blood than urine.  Normal rabbit urine ranges from a color that looks like lemonade with milk in it, to orange juice with milk in it, to fruit punch with milk in it.  Sorry if I just ruined all of your favorite beverages.  A red urine may be a sign of undigested protein.

Q.  What should I feed my pet rabbit?

A.  Pet rabbits should be fed a high-quality rabbit pellet, hay, and water.  Treats such as fruits or grains are optional but will enhance your relationship with your rabbit.  Raw vegetables may be used to substitute for part of the rabbit pellet ration.  Feed your rabbit by weight according to the recommendations from the manufacturer. 

Q.  When can my pet rabbit begin having treats?

A.  I think it's best to wait until your rabbit is at or near adult weight before giving treats (about four to six months for dwarf breeds).  It's always possible that a treat would not agree with your pet rabbit and cause a reaction such as diarrhea, a serious condition in rabbits.  An adult-size rabbit has a better chance of coping with the change in the diet and any resulting reactions.  Treats should be introduced slowly, one at a time, with observation of any ill effects on your rabbit.

Q.  How old should a baby pet rabbit be when it goes to a new home?

A.  Unless a kit is being sold with its parent, it should not leave the barn until it is 8 weeks old and fully weaned.  That age is the bare minimum.  I do not recommend getting a pet rabbit that young, however.

A three- to six-month is in a much better position to withstand the stresses of moving to a new home and can weather a mild illness better than a baby rabbit can.  Families with young children especially should consider a junior rather than a baby rabbit to avoid having to deal with the death of a pet.  I no longer sell pet rabbits below the age of 3 months due to the high mortality rate of young rabbits placed in pet homes.

Q.  When is rabbit fully grown?

A.  Dwarf breed rabbits are fully grown at about six months of age.  He or she is fully sexually mature before that age.  Although a pet rabbit may gain a few more ounces in weight after this age, he or she is pretty much the size they will be by then.  Larger breeds take longer to mature.

Q.  Can my pet rabbits share a rabbit cage or rabbit hutch?

A.  Generally, pet rabbits should have their own rabbit cages.  Occasionally, unaltered female raised from birth together may be able to cohabitate without incident.  Altered rabbits (spayed or neutered) may become a bonded pair and live happily together.  Otherwise, you can expect females to scrap by the time they are 6 months old, at the latest.  Male rabbits may begin to scrap around 3 to 4 months old.  Pairs of opposite gender may breed as young as 3 months old, with disastrous results. 

Q. My pet rabbit is sneezing a lot and has white mucous coming from its nose.  Its front paws are wet and matted from the discharge.  What should I do?

A. First, separate the bunny from any other rabbits you have.  Your bunny may have snuffles, which is like a human cold.  But unlike a human cold, it is deadly in rabbits.  Read up on snuffles on the web and give your vet a call. 

Q.  My rabbit's head has suddenly started to tilt to one side.  What is it and what should I do about it?

A.  A head tilt is known as wry neck.  It can be a slight tilt like a quizzical look or it can be a total tilt with the bunny's eye on the floor.  Wry neck is a symptom rather than a disease and it can have many causes. Take your pet rabbit to a rabbit savvy vet. 

Q.  Can my bunny live outside during the winter?

A.  In all but the coldest of US winters (and hottest of summers), bunnies can live safely outside (20 degrees with adequate housing is no problem, but I can't vouch for -30 or 110 degrees).  It is important that your pet rabbit have a place to get in from the rain, wind, and sunshine, though.  A roof and one solid side is minimum, but a small wooden enclosure is better.  You may want to cover your hutches with tarps during really bad weather and bring bunny inside anytime there is a severe weather warning for outdoor animals.  If you live in an area of extreme weather, try to locate breeders in your area for specific tips for your location.