Just like dogs, miniature or dwarf breeds of rabbits tend to live longer than giant breeds.
Ordinarily, rabbits live for around 8-12 years with proper care. 15 rabbit facts you probably didn't know! Special pelleted diets for rabbits, hay, and vegetables should make up the diet for a pet rabbit. Some treats and fruits can be given in moderation but if an unbalanced diet is fed, it will result in an unhealthy rabbit.
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Over the years, rabbits have been used for food and fur, but since the 19th century, they have also been cared for as beloved pets. Unlike their wild relatives, who live for an average of one to two years, domesticated rabbits can live between eight to 12 years.
Rabbits aren’t as low-maintenance as they seem and much of a rabbit’s longevity depends on how well an owner cares for them. Veterinary care: A reason rabbits are living longer today is that veterinarians simply know more about them and many have special training to care for rabbits. Pierce said signs to watch out for include a rabbit that’s not eating or has smaller droppings than usual. The best way to stay up to date with whats going on at Blue Cross is to join our mailing list.
Frequent veterinary visits are especially important for elderly rabbits, which can experience rapid changes in a small amount of time. Other frequent causes of death include heatstroke (for rabbits who are outside), injury, poisoning, infectious disease, cancer, and heart attacks due to stress. Its lifespan will be determined by the care and attention you give it while it is under your care.
This means that pet rabbits and wild rabbits are technically different species even though they are distant relatives and from the same family.
Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital, 2020, Parasites Of Rabbits.
We know that many things can affect the lifespan of a pet, and rabbits are no exception.
Domestic rabbits usually live between eight and 12 years, in contrast to wild rabbits, which may only live a few years because they deal with disease, starvation, and predators, said Judith Pierce, adoptions director at the San Diego House Rabbit Society. Some people will only feed their rabbits pellets from the pet store, but this may be lacking in vitamins and minerals that a rabbit needs. Rabbits, on the other hand, are a little trickier, though they do have an average lifespan just like other animals.
Rabbits that don't get the proper space and enrichment aren't usually as healthy as those that do and therefore may not have as long of a lifespan as they should. Blue Cross is a registered charity in England and Wales (224392) and in Scotland (SC040154). Domesticated rabbits are known to live a slightly longer life as compared to outdoor rabbits.
Nutrition goes hand in hand with the overall health of a rabbit and if it isn't getting the appropriate vitamins, minerals, fiber content, and other ingredients in its diet, it isn't going to be healthy and therefore it will not live as long. Read our, The Spruce Pets uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Before you let your rabbit roam freely in your home, cover all wires, move books from bottom shelves, and make sure they don’t have access to any special furniture. Additionally, keeping your rabbit's annual vaccinations up to date will help prevent illness and disease.
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Spaying or neutering your rabbit can also help lengthen its lifespan. Female rabbits are prone to mammary and uterine cancers and male rabbits can develop testicular cancer. Whether you’ve had a rabbit friend for years or you’re just contemplating getting one, read on to discover how long they generally live and learn some tips for keeping your rabbit the healthiest he or she can be throughout his or her life. Following his 16th birthday on February 9, 2019, Mick, an agouti rabbit from Berwyn, Illinois, USA, has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest rabbit. 3. For as little as £1 you can make a difference - do you have one minute?
Toys don’t necessarily need to be store-bought, either: A cardboard toilet paper tube stuffed with hay can be endless fun for a rabbit, Pierce said. As more people discovered the wonderful personalities of pet rabbits, the care they gave them improved and therefore lengthened the lifespan of house rabbits. Rabbits, just like other domesticated animals, have an average lifespan which can help an owner keep their bunny in optimum health in every stage of life. “You can’t make too much of a generalization because some rabbit will come along and always prove you wrong,” she said.
Treats should be given sparingly (and think twice before you grab a colorful box in the grocery store).
Spaying and neutering can also increase life expectancy, as unspayed females are at high risk for uterine and mammary cancer. Myth 2: Rabbits only live a year or two, so no long commitment is necessary: Reality: Well cared-for indoor rabbits can live 7-10 years, and some live into their teens. They also need enrichment and mental stimulation to keep them happy and to live a long life.
Everyone wants their pet to live a long and healthy life.
Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience. Do some rabbit breeds live longer than others? Toys and mental stimulation: Rabbits tend to get bored with toys easily, Patino said, and if they’re not mentally stimulated you can expect to find them digging holes in your carpet or chewing at your baseboards. Average Rabbit Lifespans Explained. Registered company in England and Wales under company number 00363197. One common cause of death in rabbits is gastroIntestinal (GI) stasis, which can kill rabbits quickly. Domesticated pet rabbits are not the same as those wild cottontail rabbits you see in your yard. Before Hazel, the record was set by another pet rabbit who lived to be 14 years old.
Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital, 2020, Complete Rabbit Care. While the average lifespan of a pet rabbit is, according to the House Rabbit Society, about eight to 14 years old, certain breeds of pet rabbits are known to live longer than others.
The average rabbit lifespan ranges between 8 to 12 years – like Mick, some rabbits may reach their teens but if a pet rabbit reaches 12 consider it a pretty old rabbit. Overall, rabbits are living longer these days thanks to a combination of specially trained veterinarians and better knowledge of how rabbits should live and what they should eat. Though there are a variety of rabbit breeds, it’s difficult to determine whether specific breeds live longer than others, Pierce said.Hhowever, larger breeds often have a shorter lifespan than smaller rabbits. Unlike their wild relatives, who live for an average of one to two years, domesticated rabbits can live between eight to 12 years. On average these larger breeds will usually live for around 5 years. Rabbits are very popular pets, and their lifespans have lengthened over the years thanks in part to the quality of care they receive from their owners.
Extreme amounts of stress can cause your rabbit to die. For instance, a well cared for bunny that has been kept indoors and one that has neutered or spayed can live for many years ranging from 8-12 years. Patino recommends taking your rabbit to the vet as soon as you get it and returning for yearly check-ups if there are no apparent health issues. In the late 20th century, rabbits were beginning to be more commonplace in homes across America and they have grown in popularity ever since. Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital, 2020. The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. This is because they are not exposed to disease, food scarcity and predators.
For as little as £1 you can make a difference - do you have one minute? Why Not Buy A Rabbit For Easter?. While it’s true that wild rabbits live outdoors, they usually live fewer years than domesticated rabbits.
If everyone who benefits from our articles is able to give a little back, we can reach thousands more pets. Years ago there was a myth saying that rabbits only live a year or two. Rabbit Society, 2020, What To Feed Your Rabbit.
It is a very good question, and often people think a rabbit will live for around 6 months. Rabbits can develop illnesses or get parasites, and if left untreated, these health concerns may shorten your rabbit's life. Practicing good hygiene by washing your hands before and after handling your rabbit, as well as regular cage cleaning, are good ways to keep your rabbit healthy. Domestic rabbits usually live between eight and 12 years, in contrast to wild rabbits, which may only live a few years because they deal with disease, starvation, and predators, said Judith Pierce, adoptions director at the San Diego House Rabbit Society. Myth 3: Rabbits do not need veterinary care the way dogs and cats do. “Rabbits tend to hide their illnesses, so when you notice a rabbit isn’t doing well, it probably hasn’t been doing well for a while,” Charland said.
Identifying and Treating Rabbit Ileus, a Common GI Disorder.