Wild rabbits often only live for two years or less. This is due to predators, food availability, and harsh weather - all things domestic rabbits don’t have to worry about. How long can rabbits live when we give them a safe and healthy environment?
Domestic rabbits usually live between 8 and 12 years, with some living into their teens! That’s a lot longer than their wild counterparts and we as rabbit parents play a huge role in that. Let’s talk about what can be done for our rabbit friends to give them the longest life possible!
Long live binkies and fluffy cuddles!
Also, Sara is talking about how to keep rabbit teeth healthy on YouTube!
Does Breed Play a Role in Life Span?
In general, large rabbit breeds won’t live as long as small rabbit breeds. A Netherland Dwarf rabbit might live for 12-13 years and a large french lop rabbit may only live 6-7 years.
As you can see, breed can play a big role in how long a rabbit lives.
However, as we mentioned, the circumstances an animal is living in affect how long they live as well and that’s what you have control over.
Spaying and Neutering Your Bun
Spaying and neutering rabbits lowers their chances of getting certain reproductive cancers. Female rabbits who aren’t spayed have a high risk of uterine and ovarian cancer by the time they are 5 years old. Spaying your female rabbit can add years to their life!
Male rabbits can develop testicular cancer. Neutering male rabbits can lower hormone aggression resulting in more harmonious rabbit relationships. Spayed and neutered rabbits bond with a companion rabbit more easily.
Of course, spaying and neutering your rabbit will also prevent any accidental breeding. So, for many reasons, spay and neuter your buns!
Proper Diet
Feeding your rabbit a proper diet develops the gut bacteria they need for longevity! A rabbit’s digestive system runs on fiber. Their gut bugs love to eat fiber. The most important part of a rabbit’s diet is having high-quality, fresh hay available.
It’s up to you to make sure you have high-quality hay available so that your rabbit will want to eat a lot of hay.
Do you eat more apples when they’re crisp? How about a bowl of dusty cereal from the bottom of the bag? Quality makes a big difference when it comes to how much someone eats!
Eating enough hay also keeps their teeth worn down at a healthy length, which means a healthy mouth for chewing even more hay.
Hay
Adult rabbits need low-fat, low-calcium hay as their free choice food that’s available 24/7. This is usually either Timothy hay or orchard grass hay.
Rabbits less than 6 months old need hay with more fat and calcium so alfalfa hay is ideal for them. Pregnant and nursing rabbits may also be given some alfalfa hay.
When a rabbit's digestive system slows down due to diet mistakes or illness this is called G.I. Stasis. This is a condition that can get bad very quickly. If you notice any signs of G.I. Stasis contact your exotic vet.
Signs of G.I. Stasis:
low appetite
constipation
diarrhea
teeth grinding
hunched position
cold ears
sensitive stomach when touched
Talk to your vet about using digestive remedies to help rabbits recover from G.I. stasis or other illnesses.
Pellets
Pellets make a great side to the pile of hay. Pellet food should be considered a multivitamin to help fill in any gaps on lazy days.
From 7 weeks - 7 months, rabbits can have unlimited access to pellets. From 7 months - 1 year, decrease rabbit food pellets to 1/2 cup per six lbs. body weight. From 1 year - 5 years, 1/4 to 1/2 cup of rabbit pellets per six lbs. body weight (depending on metabolism) is recommended.
Quality pellets have hay as their first ingredient. They won’t have any extra fillings or colorful pieces mixed in with the pellets. Pellets should look boring. They’re often fortified with vitamins like vitamins D, E, and A.
Fresh Food
Fresh leafy greens are great for rabbits! A general recommendation is to give a cup of leafy greens for every 2 lbs of body weight a day. If you haven’t been offering fresh leafy greens to your bun then start with less so you can make sure their digestive system agrees with the new food and you don’t overdo it.
Some greens to try with your bun:
- red and green leaf lettuce
- romaine lettuce
- kale
- cilantro
- parsley
- spinach
- dandelion greens
- cabbage
- endive
- carrot tops
- mint
- basil
- collard greens
- turnip greens
Rotate the type of greens you’re offering your rabbit so they don’t get too much of any one nutrient. Plus, that makes your rabbit's daily salad all the more exciting!
Plenty of Space and Exercise
If your rabbit is properly fueled, they’ll have more energy to exercise! Just as you need to get your daily steps in, so does your rabbit.
The first thing your rabbit needs is enough space in their enclosure. Your rabbit shouldn’t have anything smaller than 6 X 2 X 2 feet. They should have room to hop from one end to the other. The bigger the better so any more room you can give them will make them even happier.
Rabbits need time outside of their enclosure every day. This is where they can really run, binkie, and explore. Exercise is important for both their mental health, physical health, as well as digestive health! Movement helps move their food through the digestive tract.
Setting your rabbit's cage up for foraging and providing plenty of enrichment helps get a bored rabbit up and hoping!
Regular Check-Ups With A Rabbit-Savvy Vet
It’s important to have an exotic vet with rabbit experience picked out for your rabbits before they ever get sick! A well-check is a great time to review your rabbit’s diet and routine with the vet and ask any questions or concerns you have.
Prevention is the best plan for taking care of rabbits long-term. Lock in a good diet and environment for your rabbit with consistency and routine.
We are not veterinarians, and none of our information should be construed as veterinary advice.
Before adding any new product, please consult your exotic veterinarian. If your pet is acting unwell and you have concerns for their well being, please contact your vet immediately.
