Pet owners need to feed their pet rabbits the proper food and take them to the vet for annual checkups. It’s clear that life for even the fluffiest of bunnies is not always easy. Indoor rabbits tend to have a longer life expectancy than outdoor rabbits. Well, pet rabbits can be part of your life up to 10, 11 or 12 years. Also, as an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Jun 11, 2020 - The answer to 'how long do rabbits live' will firstly depend on whether we are talking about wild rabbits or domestic rabbits. Registered company in England and Wales under company number 00363197. So, why are captive rabbits having such short life spans? Rabbits are friendly, clean and loveable animals. Microchipping your pet rabbits will aid the safe return of your pet. 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. There is a common misconception that rabbits are low maintenance and many bunnies suffer as a result. That’d be … Also, the life expectancy of rabbits differs, based on the food availability, predators, diseases, and how they survive in the provided environment. For house rabbits, things could not be any different, with pet rabbits able to achieve between 8 and 12 years if given opportune conditions. What do rabbits usually die from? Rabbits do make rewarding and lovable pets so you’ll want to do everything you can to give your rabbit a long… However, with good care a life span of 10 years is not unusual, which makes owning a rabbit a long-term commitment. Rabbits only live a year or two, so no long commitment is necessary. But if you take proper care of your rabbit, they may live for longer than this. Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience. It may shock you, but these are a sample of the problems that precipitated illness and death in the pet rabbits the veterinarians saw: The vast majority of these problems are essentially down to poor care and conditions. If everyone who benefits from our articles is able to give a little back, we can reach thousands more pets. Registered address Shilton Road, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4PF. 'How Long Do Rabbits Live? Wild rabbits are experts at food foraging in their natural environment, while domesticated rabbits are not and will have a harder time finding food in the wild. In 2019 The Royal Veterinary Society (RVS) undertook an extensive investigation into the health and longevity of over six and a half thousand British bunnies receiving veterinary care. In this story, we shall basically deal with the question as to how long domestic rabbits live. Rabbits need the right diet for their species as well as the correct housing and companionship. The answer to ‘how long do rabbits live‘ will firstly depend on whether we are talking about wild rabbits or domestic rabbits. Domesticated rabbits can live between eight to 12 years, Rabbits require the right diet, suitable housing and companionship to keep them happy throughout their lives, Keeping your rabbit's vaccinations up to date will help prevent illness and disease. It may surprise pet lovers that domestic rabbits can live between 8 to 10 years. It has also been suggested that problems in rabbits don’t show up until they are very ill. You cannot sell animals as pets in public places, such as a market stall. More and more rabbits are being kept as house pets, and why not - cats and dogs live indoors too! If you have a problem registering or accessing an … Thank you. Unlike their wild relatives, who live for an average of one to two years, domesticated rabbits can live between eight to 12 years. What is more, a domesticated rabbit can even live to see its teenage years in some instances. Males were living for 5.2 years on average and females lived for 3.7 years. Typically they'll live for 8 - 12 years, but some may live for longer. If you’re planning to adopt a rabbit, you should be prepared for a commitment of many years. Rabbit-rabbit contact; Spread via contaminated objects or the environment; Insects Overlooking tasks as simple as basic grooming can trigger disease in rabbits. Living space. They collated data from over 100 clinics. But there have been instances of rabbits living much longer. For as little as £1 you can make a difference - do you have one minute? Rabbits that are raised outdoors are usually expected to live between 2 and 3 years. Thank you. How Long Do Pet Rabbits Live. Many rescue centres offer a mixing service for single rabbits. They also need enrichment and mental stimulation to keep them happy and to live a long life. Although outdoor and wild pet rabbits have a low life span because they encounter harmful conditions, a pet rabbit raised at home can live up to 10 years or even 12 years in some cases. The veterinarians uncovered a number of conditions that  cause poor health in rabbits and can shorten their lifespan. But they do eat a lot more food than standard-sized rabbits. 4. Our aim is to provide the reader with information to enable them to make a good decision when making a purchase or caring for their pet. The RVS team were able to provide valuable understanding on the main causes of death for pet rabbits. ( Why do they sneeze ). Naturally rabbits would live in large groups; a single rabbit or one paired with a different species is likely to be less happy than one living with a well-matched rabbit companion. It is easiest if rabbits are kept together from birth, but rabbits less than 12 weeks old will usually live together happily. How R(V)HD spreads. We provide free pet advice as every pet deserves to be well looked after. 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. Meanwhile, larger lop-ear rabbit breeds can live 5 to 6 years. However, the age differs for outdoor rabbits as compared to the domesticated ones. Even if he hops away in order to hide, he simply isn't equipped to survive on his own for very long. They are prone to unique problems like overgrown teeth and loss of appetite over the years. Hutchandcage is supported by its readers. How long do dwarf lop-eared rabbits live? Hutch and Cage.com does not provide veterinary advice. We treated around 35,000 sick injured and homeless pets last year. A pet rabbit may sense danger, but it is often too late. which will later be resold as pets You still need a licence if your business is based at home or you sell animals online. As the UK vets suggest, educating yourself on what rabbits need will make your better equipped as an owner to provide a good quality of life for your pet Who knows? At this point, the life expectancy of felines and mutts is genuinely normal learning. Reality: Well cared-for indoor … Grooming – Although they are not long-haired, Flemish Giants need to be groomed weekly. This is because they are not exposed to disease, food scarcity and predators. Some pet rabbits can live to be teenagers. Rabbits or bunnies live for 8 to 14 years on average. Making sure that your Holland lop is properly provided with his day-to-day needs will increase his longevity. 1  Just like dogs, miniature or dwarf breeds of rabbits tend to live longer than giant breeds. This is not always due to neglect but rather because as wild rabbits, they would have to be careful not to show any signs of disease or weakness for fear of predation. This groundbreaking study clearly showed that there is a long way to go in improving the health of pet rabbits so they can reach their full potential. Diet plays a crucial role in a rabbit’s general health, as does a stress-free environment. Rabbits live an average of 6 years. There hasn’t been enough research into this to know for sure, but it’s thought that, like dogs, larger breeds of rabbit tend to live shorter lives than smaller breeds. The best way to stay up to date with whats going on at Blue Cross is to join our mailing list. 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. Shockingly, in the wild, rabbits can only expect to live a year or two at most. Pet rabbits need at least one bunny bestie to live with but they’ll be even happier in larger groups. Ordinarily, rabbits live for around 8-12 years with proper care. Rabbits are known to live for 3 … As for the Holland lop rabbit, his lifespan is about 5 to 7 years. With the right care and attention, the longevity of your rabbit will certainly increase. Maybe you will be a lucky owner and your bunny will become wiser and wiser and he will reach even 15 years old. The basic requirements about pet care and the lifespan of a rabbit are some of the important factors that one should know before deciding to raise a rabbit as a pet. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. We're so glad we've been able to help these pets who are unable to help themselves, but there are thousands of sick and lonely pets still in need, so we need to ask for a small favour. 15 rabbit facts you probably didn't know! However, as well as taking good general care of your rabbit, there is one thing that you could do … Handling a Flemish Giant – Most rabbits hate being handled, but this is especially true with giants. Its lifespan will be determined by the care and attention you give it while it is under your care. But, like any other beloved pet rabbits … They may become as long-lived as Mick, the world’s oldest rabbit who celebrated his sweet 16 in 2019! The average life span of a rabbit is between 7 – 12 years. Firstly, you'll need to look at where you rabbits will live a lot of the time. People like you are essential to our work. This is because of the pressures of predators, disease, food scarcity and harsh winters. There is a misconception among pet owners that rabbits do not need to make trips to the vet. The average lifespan of a pet rabbit is only 4.3 years. Multiple factors make some rabbits live longer than others. ', is a complete, easy to read, pet rabbit longevity reference book with potential Lifespan Calculator & Human Years to Rabbit Age Conversion Chart. This should be … They found that: The RVS team were able to provide valuable understanding on the main causes of death for pet rabbits. Its a common belief that rabbits don't live very long and actually have short lives. But you can still expect a rabbit to live … Having your pet rabbits in the house makes it easier to interact with them and makes them more sociable, as well as easier for you to keep an eye on them for any changes in their health or behaviour. Rabbits that are farmed for meat have the shortest lifespan of all, finding themselves earmarked for the plate after only 8 short weeks! Everybody needs their pet to carry on with a long and sound life. 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. (Food & Nutrition for Mice), Can Hamsters Sneeze? The age can vary based on the rabbit’s breed and living conditions. Males were living for 5.2 years on average and females lived for 3.7 years. Definitive answers and insights on the average lifespan of pet rabbits have been made available by a landmark study by veterinarians in the UK. For as little as £1 you can make a difference - do you have one minute? If you're concerned about the health of your pet you should seek medical advice from a vet. All content is therefore for informational purposes only. Some rabbits will always live longer than others. However, with good care a life span of 10 years is not unusual, which makes owning a rabbit a long-term commitment. Believe it or not, pet rabbits have an average lifespan of about 10 years. 4 ways in which you can help your pet rabbit live longer, Can Rabbits Drink from a Bowl ( Bowl or Bottle? Two litter brothers or two litter sisters will also get on well, but it is important that they are both neutered to prevent fighting. Rabbits, then again, are somewhat trickier, however, they do have a normal life expectancy simply like different creatures. In addition size, sex, breed and living conditions all make their contribution to the lifespans of a pet rabbit. It seems that the level of attention and care that a pet rabbit needs may be grossly underestimated. The lifespan of a domestic rabbit is around ten years. Travelling with Pet Rabbits and Rodents Under current regulations (as long as they are pets) rabbits, rats, mice and other pet rodents do not require a Pets Passport and can be moved freely with out restrictions within the EU as well as Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, … How long do rabbits live on average We welcome new members, please and say hello, tell us about your rabbits or ask advice. Stressors and disease as we have explored here will shorten the lifespan of rabbits. Get excited about the little things. Rabbit's come in a variety of breeds, shapes and sizes and each bunny has there own unique personality. The average lifespan of dwarf and miniature lop rabbits is around 9 to 10 years. All of our work is funded entirely through donations. Domesticated rabbits are known to live a slightly longer life as compared to outdoor rabbits. Pet rabbits are often found dead with blood-stained fluid at their mouth and nose, or there may be no visible signs (cause of death only confirmed by post-mortem). Pets are reliant on their owners for providing the conditions they need to remain healthy. A company limited by guarantee. Unlike their wild relatives, who live for an average of one to two years, domesticated rabbits can live between eight to 12 years. Additionally, keeping your rabbit's annual vaccinations up to date will help prevent illness and disease. Rabbits generally live for between eight and twelve years If your rabbit develops a health problem, then their lives can unfortunately be significantly shorter than average. Rabbits live a long time. 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. Despite the image of rabbits happily nibbling on a carrot, in actuality, they have a complex digestive structure. Hutch and Cage is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk. Want to know who buys all the dill in the supermarket? Take a look around at our rabbit care advice to find out how to keep your bunnies happy and healthy. However, it can vary from one specimen to another; some breeds survive for as long as 15 years, while others live for just 5 years. ), White Rabbit Breeds | 7 White Pet Rabbit Breeds, Rabbit Toys | Rabbit Chews, Toys and Playthings, Flemish Giant Rabbit: Diet | Size | Breeding | Housing, GI stasis in rabbits: Symptoms | Causes | Treatments, Are Almonds Safe for mice? Therefore, although rabbits are very sensitive to life-limiting disease and stressors, they may not show it meaning that owners have to be careful and vigilant. Blue Cross is a registered charity in England and Wales (224392) and in Scotland (SC040154). It’s easiest to adopt rabbits that are already bonded - brothers and sisters from the same litter will be really happy to live together, so long as they’ve been neutered (or you get them done when they’re old enough). Rabbits live an average of 6 years. The best combination is a neutered male and a neutered female. 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