Category: Rabbits

Pet rabbits usually are among the more docile pets you can own, but just because they usually don’t bite doesn’t mean that it’s completely unheard of. In fact, while it’s rare for a pet rabbit to consistently bite, the occasional pet rabbit bite is a fairly common occurrence.

But why do pet rabbits bite, what do you do if they bite you, and how do you keep them from biting you in the future? We’ll answer all those questions and more for you here.

The 5 Reasons Why Your Pet Rabbit Might Bite You

While pet rabbits are usually remarkably placid pets that don’t bite, there are a few different reasons one might chomp down on you. We’ve highlighted five of the most common reasons you’ll need to consider if your pet rabbit bites you here:

1. You Scared Them

This is probably the most common reason a pet rabbit might bite you. While rabbits are usually well-mannered pets, if you startle them, they might bite out of instinct. If this is the case, they’re not biting to hurt you, they’re biting you in a moment of fear!

As soon as they realize what’s going on, they should let go, and in the future, ensure you do your best not to sneak up on them so they don’t bite you.

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2. They’re in Pain

Your pet rabbit can’t come right up to you and tell you what’s hurting, but if they are in pain and you aggravate the area, they might bite you as a way to get you to leave it alone. If this is the case, they’re not trying to hurt you, they’re just trying to get you to leave them be.

In order to fix the behavior, you’ll need to address the injury, which often means taking them to the vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

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3. They’re Playing With You

If your pet rabbit is chomping down hard and instead giving you little nibbles, they’re likely trying to be affectionate. These nibbles might not be the most comfortable for you, but they won’t be downright painful like a full-on rabbit bite.

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4. It Was an Accident

Sometimes, your rabbit bites you when they’re simply not trying to! Perhaps they saw something else they wanted to chomp down on and just missed, or maybe they just didn’t see you there. Either way, it’s not uncommon for a pet rabbit to accidentally bite you. While this doesn’t make it any less painful, you shouldn’t hold it against them.

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5. They’re Territorial

This is a common issue with wild rabbits or with pet rabbits that don’t get enough socialization. If it’s a wild rabbit, leave them alone, but if it’s a pet rabbit, you’ll need to take some extra time to socialize them. Take it slow and, just in case, keep your fingers in a safe place.

What To Do if Your Pet Rabbit Bites You

In the unlikely event that your pet rabbit does bite you, it’s important that you know what to do. It will hurt, but with prompt action, it shouldn’t present too serious of a condition for you. Below, we’ve highlighted exactly what you need to do if your bunny bites you.

1. Get the Rabbit Away From You

It might seem obvious, but the first thing you need to do is get your pet rabbit to stop biting you. There are some times when this is easier than others, as occasionally, your pet rabbit won’t want to let go. This is more common if your pet rabbit is aggressive instead of scared or hurt.

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2. Put Pressure on the Wound

Once you get your pet rabbit to stop biting you, it’s time to get the bleeding under control. Apply direct pressure to the wound for five to ten minutes to help control even the most severe cases.

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3. Clean the Wound

At some point, you need to clean out the wound to keep infection away. All you need to do to clean out the wound is to run it under water for a few minutes to thoroughly flush the wound of any bacteria.

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4. Determine if You Need Further Treatment

Once you clean out the wound and control the bleeding, you need to figure out if you need additional medical treatment. Signs you need further treatment include not being able to get the bleeding under control or determining that the pet rabbit didn’t have all the recommended shots and vaccines.

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5. Treat the Underlying Behavior Problem

Once you get the wound under control, it’s time to address your pet rabbit. Pet rabbits usually don’t bite, so if yours did, you need to figure out why. If it’s something like you startling them, there are no further actions you need to take, but if there’s an underlying aggression problem or an injury, you’ll need to figure it out and treat it.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know a little more about why pet rabbits bite and what you can do about it, it’s up to you to ensure you have everything you need to treat a rabbit bite on hand if you have a pet rabbit in your home.

While it shouldn’t be a life-threatening condition, it is painful, so you’ll want to take the time to get to know and socialize your pet rabbit so they don’t bite you again in the future.

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Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

The post Does a Pet Rabbit Bite? 5 Possible Reasons For This Behaviour appeared first on Pet Keen.

If you have a particularly friendly and social rabbit, you might be able to play with them! This can be a great way to bond with your rabbit and get them used to human interaction.  While many people will expect that their rabbit can play like a dog or cat could, as prey animals, rabbits won’t always enjoy the same games as those pets do.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t play with your rabbit, and if done right, playtime can be an important bonding experience for you and your rabbit.

Do Rabbits Like to Play?

Some rabbits enjoy playing with their owners, while others need more time to warm up to the idea of interacting with you.

Many rabbits are not going to be the most cuddly and friendly pets from the start, since they will need to get used to your presence first. This can make it difficult to interact and play with your rabbit when you first get them, which makes it important to ensure that you have established a sense of trust between you and your rabbit.

If your rabbit hasn’t gotten used to humans yet, they are going to be less willing to try and play with you. This can make it seem like your rabbit isn’t interested in interacting with you, but it is rather a matter of uncertainty and fear of the situation.

Once your rabbit feels more comfortable around you, it will be more willing to hop up to you, sniff, and curiously interact with you and be much easier to play with. However, not all rabbits are going to be interested in playing with you, and forcing them to do so can stress them out.

How Much Playtime Do Rabbits Need?

Exercise and playtime out of your rabbit’s enclosure are important for their well-being. While this might come as a surprise to some rabbit owners, rabbits can be quite active pets. They can get bored and even stressed if they are cooped up in their cage all day, even if you meet their minimum enclosure size, and give them lots of toys.

You should ideally let your rabbit play and exercise for 2 to 5 hours per day, as long as it is done safely, and your rabbit has access to their enclosure for food, water, and hay. While this might seem like a long time for some people, part of being a responsible pet owner is to ensure that you can meet their exercise requirements.

6 Tips on Playing and Bonding with Your Rabbit

Below are six tips that can make playtime and the whole bonding experience more fun for you and your rabbit.

1. Get Down to Their Level

Rabbits are naturally prey animals and they are constantly aware of their surroundings and anything that could pose a threat to them. So, if you haven’t already established a sense of trust with your rabbit first, they are going to be fearful of interacting with you.

When playing with your rabbit, try to get down to their level. Rabbits might become fearful if you try to pick them up without warning or play games where you are towering over your rabbit. Many rabbits would prefer to hop up to you and play on the ground, rather than being picked up and placed higher up where they may feel uneasy.

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2. Make Your Rabbit Feel Comfortable

Since playtime with your rabbits depends on trust and a feeling of safety from your rabbit, you should never force your rabbit to play with you or get upset if they aren’t very interested. This doesn’t mean your rabbit is a boring pet, but rather one that needs a bit of encouragement to play with you, or perhaps you need to find the right type of play that captures your rabbit’s interest.

Ensuring that your rabbit is comfortable when playing with you is going to make the whole experience feel more rewarding to them. If your rabbit is feeling emotions like stress and fear during playtime, it may make them uninterested in playing and bonding with you in the future.

Try to be patient with your rabbit and interact and play with you on their terms, since this is going to keep them comfortable during playtime.

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3. Play Games That Interest Their Natural Tendencies

While we might prefer playing games that we like, it is important to understand that rabbits don’t really have the same ideas of play as us. Rabbits enjoy different things, and activities that might disinterest us could be seen as a great playing experience for rabbits.

Rabbits generally have their idea of play and entertainment like foraging, eating, and interacting with other rabbits. Instead of throwing a ball to your rabbit as you would with a dog, choose games that interest your rabbit’s natural tendencies like eating or foraging.

By providing them with activities that engage their interest, your rabbit is going to feel more at ease playing with you because they are genuinely enjoying what they are doing. For example, if your rabbit is playing with a foraging toy, you can sit down on the floor with them and move it around so they can hop after it. This will also allow your rabbit to get used to your presence.

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4. Use Food As a Reward and Motivation

Most rabbits love their food, and if you have had your rabbit for a while now, you might have already figured out which foods they like best. To make the playtime experience more positive for your rabbit, reward and motivate them with their favorite food and treats. However, don’t overdo the treats, especially if they are not healthy enough to be fed in large quantities.

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5. Create a Safe Play Area for Your Rabbit

Unless your rabbit has a large and clean cage, you probably won’t feel very comfortable sitting inside it. Instead, you can create a free-roam area for your rabbit in a secured space. Be sure to bunny-proof the room by removing wires, electrics, harmful foods and plants, and anything that your rabbit could injure themselves on.

This room or enclosed area can function as a free-roaming place or a play area while allowing your rabbit to get a break from their enclosure. This will make it much easier for you to interact and play with your rabbit in a safe environment, rather than having to worry if they are going to escape or get hurt.

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6. Monitor Your Rabbits Behavior to See What They Enjoy

Not all rabbits are going to enjoy the same activities during playtime, so be sure to monitor your rabbit’s behavior to see what they like best. If you find that your rabbit is getting bored during playtime too quickly, you should probably switch to activities that interest them more. If you have multiple rabbits, it can take a while to find games and play activities that interest the majority of them.

Rabbits Are Social Animals

Regardless of how much time you spend with your rabbit by exercising and playing with them, you should still ensure that they have the right company. Rabbits are social animals that should always be kept in pairs or groups. While you as their owner can still become one of their best friends, your rabbit still needs another one of its kind for the company.

If you choose to keep your rabbit in opposite-sex groups, one of them will need to be sterilized (spayed or neutered) by a veterinarian to prevent breeding and unwanted hormonal behaviors. Some of your rabbits’ best playtimes and bonding experiences will be with another compatible rabbit friend.

In Conclusion

Playing with your rabbit is going to be a rewarding and fun experience for both of you. Whether it is something as simple as letting your rabbit roam around a safe room while you read or work or making forage toys and interactive games that you and your rabbit can play together. As long as your rabbit is kept safe and supervised during playtime, you and your rabbit can enjoy plenty of playful moments together.

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Featured Image Credit: Dean Clarke, Shutterstock

The post How to Play with a Rabbit: 7 Tips for Their Safety & Comfort appeared first on Pet Keen.

Rex rabbits are some of the most adored pets. These creatures have captivated the hearts of countless animal lovers with their velvety fur and adorable floppy ears. Besides, they have charming personalities and inquisitive natures, warming their owners’ hearts from the very beginning.

But before bringing home a Rex rabbit, it’s only natural that you will want to know several aspects of this pet, including how long it can live. On average, you can expect your pet Rex to live for 6 to 8 years. We’ll unravel the mystery surrounding what affects the lifespan of these adorable furry companions in this guide and what you can do to keep your friend healthy and happy.

What’s the Average Lifespan of a Pet Rex Rabbit?

Averagely, a Rex rabbit can live for 6 to 8 years. However, each rabbit is unique, and individual genetics, care, and environmental factors can influence their lifespan. Some Rex rabbits can live longer than this, even up to 15 years.

For instance, one receiving the utmost care from its owner is bound to live longer. On the flip side, rabbits are quite delicate animals, and if not given a proper diet, a loving and nurturing environment, along with appropriate veterinary care, you can be sure that its lifespan will be reduced significantly.

Why Do Some Rex Rabbits Live Longer Than Others?

Below, we’ll examine the key elements influencing each Rex rabbit’s health and lifespan.

1. Nutrition

Proper nutrition plays a critical role in extending the lifespan of a Rex rabbit. A balanced diet includes 70% high-quality hay, 30% fresh fruits, and leafy vegetables. Pelleted rabbit food provides essential nutrients for their overall health.

As grazers who feed continuously all day long, Rex rabbits should always have access to food. Similarly, fresh water needs to be replenished once or twice daily.

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2. Hutch or Cage Size

A spacious living environment mitigates stress levels and allows your rabbit to exhibit natural behaviors. It enables more freedom of movement and room for exercise, which promotes healthy muscle development while preventing obesity.

Ample space also allows you to include separate areas for sleeping, eating, and litter boxes. This way, you’ll maintain cleanliness and minimize the risk of infections. Experts recommend an enclosure of at least 5 feet long, 3.5 feet wide, and 18 inches high.

Last, your rabbit will require at least two to four inches of straw, shreds of cardboard, or paper pulp. However, keep your rabbit away from cedar shavings, pine, or sawdust. These substances may be harmful to its health.

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3. Weight

An overweight Rex rabbit will have a shorter lifespan. Feeding your rabbit with a well-balanced diet keeps its weight in check. A helpful method of keeping their weight in check is exercising them every day.

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4. Environment and Conditions

The conditions under which the rabbit lives may shorten or prolong its lifespan. Ideal conditions include a well-ventilated area that is completely dry, without any drafts, and shielded from direct sunlight. Sure, your rabbit needs sunshine, but it should be indirect.

Similar to other rabbit breeds, Rex rabbits prefer temperatures ranging from 12° to 21°C (55° and 70°F). While it can cope with slightly lower temperatures, it can become ill from excessive heat or an overly warm habitat. The living space for your rabbit must be weatherproof if kept outdoors.

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5. Sex

Male Rex rabbits have a longer lifespan than females. Statistics have shown that males from all rabbit species can live about 40% longer than females. Nevertheless, the males are more prone to developing dental diseases and overgrown nails and teeth compared to their female counterparts.

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6. Breeding History

Through careful selection and breeding practices, breeders can focus on improving genetic traits associated with longevity. Reputable breeders will produce offspring that inherit these favorable traits by identifying rabbits with strong immune systems, robust health, and resistance to common ailments.

Moreover, they can avoid breeding rabbits with known genetic defects or predispositions to some health issues. This selective breeding approach creates a healthier population of rabbits that will live longer, or at least to the maximum lifespan.

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7. Healthcare

As a prey species, rabbits have evolved strategies to conceal their ailments to avoid becoming predation targets. In other words, since rabbits can hide their disease from you, a yearly check-up with a veterinarian is essential. Otherwise, your rabbit might get sick and die without you even knowing that they were sick.

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8. Genes

Several genetic factors may contribute to a prolonged lifespan, and this applies to all rabbits generally. That said, Rex rabbits possess unique genetic variations that affect cellular processes like the oxidative stress response, DNA repair mechanisms, and immune system functioning.

These genetic adaptations enable them to cope with environmental stressors and maintain healthier cellular function over time. Any rabbit with these favorable gene variants lives longer than their counterparts who lack genetic advantages.

The 5 Life Stages of a Pet Rex Rabbit

Newborn (0 to 2 Months Old)

Female Rex rabbits give birth to tiny, hairless, and helpless kittens. The mother will wean her kittens for up to eight weeks, and by this time, the kittens will have gotten immunity from the mother. In fact, some states do not allow kittens to be sold or separated from their mother before this time elapses.

Adolescent (2 to 6 Months Old)

Assuming you adopt a male Rex rabbit at two months, you can expect it to reach sexual maturity in a few weeks and will start getting attracted to female Rex rabbits. Females reach sexual maturity later at eight months. During this stage, they may be aggressive because of hormonal changes in their bodies. You can neuter or spay them then.

Young Adult (6 to 18 Months Old)

At this age, many Pet Rex rabbits are aggressive chewers and diggers. They may actively avoid letting you touch or hold them because they are experiencing excessive energy, which is only natural.

Adult (18 Months to 4 Years Old)

Most Rex rabbits start to mature at one and a half years. This stage is characterized by the rabbit being quite affectionate and with fewer aggressive gnawing and digging inclinations as it ages. Besides, they’ll be more relaxed and will engage with you without running away.

Senior (5 Years and Above)

Once your pet Rex rabbit reaches the age of 5 and above, it’ll begin displaying signs of advancing years. Some signs include thinning fur, less energy, more sleep, and weight loss.

Alter their surroundings at this point to make it simpler for your furry friend to move around. Besides, add softer bedding or other modifications. Also, adjust your vet visits to twice a year so that your pet’s health will be checked progressively.

How to Tell Your Pet Rex Rabbit’s Age

If you didn’t adopt your rabbit while still a kitten, determining its age later may not be straightforward. This is partly because rabbits don’t exhibit much change as they age. Though telling the exact age might be difficult, the following signs can aid in putting it in a certain age bracket.

Conclusion

The lifespan of a pet Rex rabbit depends on several factors. These adorable creatures live anywhere from 6 to 8 years on average, but with proper care, they may even exceed these expectations.

It’s crucial to provide a healthy diet, regular exercise, and a stress-free environment to ensure the longevity of your pet rabbit. Regular veterinary check-ups and attentive care are essential to detect and address any health issues promptly.

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Featured Image Credit: Kyttan, Shutterstock

The post How Long Does a Pet Rex Rabbit Live? Average Lifespan Data & Facts appeared first on Pet Keen.