The best combination is a neutered male and a neutered female. 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. Some rabbits will always live longer than others. 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? Stressors and disease as we have explored here will shorten the lifespan of rabbits. You cannot sell animals as pets in public places, such as a market stall. 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). They also need enrichment and mental stimulation to keep them happy and to live a long life. Rabbits that are farmed for meat have the shortest lifespan of all, finding themselves earmarked for the plate after only 8 short weeks! Pet owners need to feed their pet rabbits the proper food and take them to the vet for annual checkups. This is because of the pressures of predators, disease, food scarcity and harsh winters. If you're concerned about the health of your pet you should seek medical advice from a vet. Thank you. If you’re planning to adopt a rabbit, you should be prepared for a commitment of many years. Many rescue centres offer a mixing service for single rabbits. 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. 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. If you have a problem registering or accessing an … Want to know who buys all the dill in the supermarket? 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. 4. 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. All of our work is funded entirely through donations. Pet rabbits need at least one bunny bestie to live with but they’ll be even happier in larger groups. 4 ways in which you can help your pet rabbit live longer, Can Rabbits Drink from a Bowl ( Bowl or Bottle? 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. 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. With the right care and attention, the longevity of your rabbit will certainly increase. Typically they'll live for 8 - 12 years, but some may live for longer. You will need to know how to handle a … Registered address Shilton Road, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4PF. As for the Holland lop rabbit, his lifespan is about 5 to 7 years. Hutchandcage is supported by its readers. So, why are captive rabbits having such short life spans? However, with good care a life span of 10 years is not unusual, which makes owning a rabbit a long-term commitment. Despite the image of rabbits happily nibbling on a carrot, in actuality, they have a complex digestive structure. Its lifespan will be determined by the care and attention you give it while it is under your care. Also, as an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. 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. They are prone to unique problems like overgrown teeth and loss of appetite over the years. Shockingly, in the wild, rabbits can only expect to live a year or two at most. How R(V)HD spreads. Rabbits are friendly, clean and loveable animals. Males were living for 5.2 years on average and females lived for 3.7 years. If everyone who benefits from our articles is able to give a little back, we can reach thousands more pets. 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. Definitive answers and insights on the average lifespan of pet rabbits have been made available by a landmark study by veterinarians in the UK. However, as well as taking good general care of your rabbit, there is one thing that you could do … Thank you. There is a common misconception that rabbits are low maintenance and many bunnies suffer as a result. 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. Even if he hops away in order to hide, he simply isn't equipped to survive on his own for very long. More and more rabbits are being kept as house pets, and why not - cats and dogs live indoors too! ', is a complete, easy to read, pet rabbit longevity reference book with potential Lifespan Calculator & Human Years to Rabbit Age Conversion Chart. 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). The veterinarians uncovered a number of conditions that  cause poor health in rabbits and can shorten their lifespan. However, with good care a life span of 10 years is not unusual, which makes owning a rabbit a long-term commitment. Microchipping your pet rabbits will aid the safe return of your pet. 1  Just like dogs, miniature or dwarf breeds of rabbits tend to live longer than giant breeds. Living space. Rabbits only live a year or two, so no long commitment is necessary. Domesticated rabbits are known to live a slightly longer life as compared to outdoor rabbits. (Food & Nutrition for Mice), Can Hamsters Sneeze? It’s clear that life for even the fluffiest of bunnies is not always easy. It has also been suggested that problems in rabbits don’t show up until they are very ill. This is because they are not exposed to disease, food scarcity and predators. 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. Believe it or not, pet rabbits have an average lifespan of about 10 years. We provide free pet advice as every pet deserves to be well looked after. which will later be resold as pets You still need a licence if your business is based at home or you sell animals online. They may become as long-lived as Mick, the world’s oldest rabbit who celebrated his sweet 16 in 2019! For as little as £1 you can make a difference - do you have one minute? At this point, the life expectancy of felines and mutts is genuinely normal learning. Males were living for 5.2 years on average and females lived for 3.7 years. How long do dwarf lop-eared rabbits live? Rabbit-rabbit contact; Spread via contaminated objects or the environment; Insects 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. That’d be … The average life span of a rabbit is between 7 – 12 years. The RVS team were able to provide valuable understanding on the main causes of death for pet rabbits. The best way to stay up to date with whats going on at Blue Cross is to join our mailing list. 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. 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. Grooming – Although they are not long-haired, Flemish Giants need to be groomed weekly. Rabbits need the right diet for their species as well as the correct housing and companionship. Rabbits, then again, are somewhat trickier, however, they do have a normal life expectancy simply like different creatures. 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. Doesn't affect rabbits under six weeks but causes severe disease in older rabbits. Rabbits live an average of 6 years. The age can vary based on the rabbit’s breed and living conditions. What do rabbits usually die from? Rabbits or bunnies live for 8 to 14 years on average. But they do eat a lot more food than standard-sized rabbits. 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. It is easiest if rabbits are kept together from birth, but rabbits less than 12 weeks old will usually live together happily. A company limited by guarantee. 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. Some pet rabbits can live to be teenagers. But you can still expect a rabbit to live … Handling a Flemish Giant – Most rabbits hate being handled, but this is especially true with giants. Rabbit's come in a variety of breeds, shapes and sizes and each bunny has there own unique personality. Maybe you will be a lucky owner and your bunny will become wiser and wiser and he will reach even 15 years old. What is more, a domesticated rabbit can even live to see its teenage years in some instances. 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, … This should be … Hutch and Cage.com does not provide veterinary advice. The average lifespan of dwarf and miniature lop rabbits is around 9 to 10 years. The lifespan of a domestic rabbit is around ten years. Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience. They found that: The RVS team were able to provide valuable understanding on the main causes of death for pet rabbits. Making sure that your Holland lop is properly provided with his day-to-day needs will increase his longevity. But, like any other beloved pet rabbits … 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. Rabbits that are raised outdoors are usually expected to live between 2 and 3 years. Everybody needs their pet to carry on with a long and sound life. How long do rabbits live on average We welcome new members, please and say hello, tell us about your rabbits or ask advice. Pets are reliant on their owners for providing the conditions they need to remain healthy. 15 rabbit facts you probably didn't know! ), 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? Rabbits do make rewarding and lovable pets so you’ll want to do everything you can to give your rabbit a long… Rabbits are known to live for 3 … For as little as £1 you can make a difference - do you have one minute? But if you take proper care of your rabbit, they may live for longer than this. They collated data from over 100 clinics. Ordinarily, rabbits live for around 8-12 years with proper care. Also, the life expectancy of rabbits differs, based on the food availability, predators, diseases, and how they survive in the provided environment. Additionally, keeping your rabbit's annual vaccinations up to date will help prevent illness and disease. Its a common belief that rabbits don't live very long and actually have short lives. 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. Well, pet rabbits can be part of your life up to 10, 11 or 12 years. In addition size, sex, breed and living conditions all make their contribution to the lifespans of a pet rabbit. A pet rabbit may sense danger, but it is often too late. The average lifespan of a pet rabbit is only 4.3 years. Two litter brothers or two litter sisters will also get on well, but it is important that they are both neutered to prevent fighting. Registered company in England and Wales under company number 00363197. Rabbits live a long time. There is a misconception among pet owners that rabbits do not need to make trips to the vet. 'How Long Do Rabbits Live? 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. Blue Cross is a registered charity in England and Wales (224392) and in Scotland (SC040154). ( Why do they sneeze ). Multiple factors make some rabbits live longer than others. Unlike their wild relatives, who live for an average of one to two years, domesticated rabbits can live between eight to 12 years. How Long Do Pet Rabbits Live. For house rabbits, things could not be any different, with pet rabbits able to achieve between 8 and 12 years if given opportune conditions. It may surprise pet lovers that domestic rabbits can live between 8 to 10 years. It seems that the level of attention and care that a pet rabbit needs may be grossly underestimated. Meanwhile, larger lop-ear rabbit breeds can live 5 to 6 years. Unlike their wild relatives, who live for an average of one to two years, domesticated rabbits can live between eight to 12 years. 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. Get excited about the little things. We treated around 35,000 sick injured and homeless pets last year. Take a look around at our rabbit care advice to find out how to keep your bunnies happy and healthy. However, the age differs for outdoor rabbits as compared to the domesticated ones. All content is therefore for informational purposes only. But there have been instances of rabbits living much longer. The answer to ‘how long do rabbits live‘ will firstly depend on whether we are talking about wild rabbits or domestic rabbits. 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 live an average of 6 years. Indoor rabbits tend to have a longer life expectancy than outdoor rabbits. Reality: Well cared-for indoor … Diet plays a crucial role in a rabbit’s general health, as does a stress-free environment. Firstly, you'll need to look at where you rabbits will live a lot of the time. In this story, we shall basically deal with the question as to how long domestic rabbits live. Overlooking tasks as simple as basic grooming can trigger disease in rabbits. 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. 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