Greetings, rabbit lovers! On this occasion, we will be introducing you to one of the most charming and popular breeds of rabbits among pet owners, the Californian rabbits. In this post, we will help you discover everything about these rabbits. You will learn all about their physical characteristics, their origins, and how to care for the Californian rabbits.
These rabbits are known by their soft, beautiful fur and for having a kind and loving temperament and high level of intelligence. If you are evaluating the possibility of adopting or buying a bunny, we advise you to consider the Californian rabbit as it is ideal as a pet.
Origins of the Californian Rabbit
As its name suggests, the Californian rabbit was initially bred in 1923 by Mr. George S. West of Lynnwood, California. West obtained this breed by the selective crossing of Himalayan rabbits with American Chinchilla rabbits. The Californian rabbit, also known as the California White, is very similar in appearance to the Himalayan rabbits.
Some people claim that the first offspring from these crosses could have been mixed with New Zealand rabbits to obtain the appearance which today characterizes the Californian rabbit. The new breed stood out for having a dense coat that was soft and delicate at the same time.
These rabbits were first shown at an exhibition in 1928 and were recognized as a breed by the ARBA in 1939. The commercialization of its fur and meat was the main reason for the development of this breed of rabbits. Rabbit meat was very much in demand at the beginning of the 20th century. But from the second half of this century, the Californian rabbits began to gain popularity as pets.
Is There Any Difference Between a Pet Rabbit and a Meat Rabbit?
There is no practical difference between pet rabbits and meat rabbits, except for the purposes they serve. However, we can find a few distinctions on a genetic scale.
Breeds that serve a particular purpose, like meat or wool production, have been bred over multiple generations to serve that purpose. Therefore, these genetic changes have led to the development of particular characteristics in certain breeds. For example, the development of heavily muscled bodies, the production of large litters, and increased milk production for all the offspring.
Let’s Meet the Californian Rabbits
Before adopting a pet, we must start by learning everything about them if we want to offer them the best care. The following is a review of the most outstanding physical characteristics of the California Whites.
Physical Features
Californian rabbits belong in the category of medium-sized rabbits. They can reach a weight of between 8 and 10 pounds when mature. These rabbits are good meat producers. These are some of their most outstanding characteristics:
Fur
The fur is the most remarkable feature of the Californian rabbits. Their profuse coat consists of two layers that, despite being dense and thick, is also soft and pleasant to the touch. Californian rabbits possess a fur with a white base, and black-tipped ears, nose, feet, and tail. They look much like Siamese cats.
There are different color standards, some recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association and others by the British Rabbit Council:
- ARBA only recognizes the standard pattern, which consists of a white base with black pigmentation on their nose, tail, feet, and tail.
- BRC, in addition to the standard pattern, also recognizes California rabbits with dark brown, chocolate, lilac, and blue pigmentation.
An interesting fact about the metabolism of the Californian rabbit is that the pigmentation of its coat can react in different ways according to the climate of the place where it resides. Bunnies living in warmer regions tend to have whiter furs with the standard pattern of pigmentation, while those living in colder zones tend to have darker patches through their bodies, but if they molt, their hair will grow back white again.
Body
Being bred for meat production, these rabbits developed a robust body with well-developed musculature and can weigh up to 10 pounds in their adulthood.
Eyes and Ears
They have long ears with rounded tips that can reach up to 3 cm in length. Their ears are always upright in a sign of alertness. They also have beautiful red eyes that are medium in size.
Are They Good As Pets?
These rabbits make up one of the best breeds of rabbits for families with children as they have a calm, friendly, and affectionate personality. They are also very curious and playful and enjoy exploring their surroundings freely.
Despite their great curiosity, the Californian rabbits can be a bit shy and reserved when they arrive at their new home or when they meet for the first time some person or an unknown animal. Due to their friendly nature and remarkable intelligence, they can adapt to their new environment quickly.
These rabbits are very friendly and sociable and enjoy being in the company of other animals. If you can afford it, it is a good idea to bring them a partner.
How Should We Take Care of California Rabbits?
There are many cares that we must offer to our Californians but here are the most basic ones:
Hair Brushing
One of the principal cares of the Californian White is the maintenance of its delicate coat. The ideal is to brush it at least three times a week, always using an appropriate brush to avoid breaking the fiber of its soft hair. Our recommendation is to have your bunny habituated from an early age so that it assimilates the grooming sessions as moments of relaxation, pampering, and mutual trust.
Mental Stimulation
Californian rabbits are one of the smartest bunnies. It is useful to stimulate their minds, both to train them and to prevent them from getting stressed or bored. You can give them fruits and greens bits, that are good for their health, like positive reinforcement to reward them, and encourage them to keep learning.
Exercise
Like all living beings, these rabbits also need to do physical activity to strengthen their body, release energy, and keep a healthy weight. You can offer rabbit friendly toys with which they can exercise and entertain themselves.
We do not recommend keeping a rabbit in its cage all the time. Rabbits love to play and explore their surroundings at will, but it should always be under your supervision to prevent them from escaping or getting into trouble.
Hygiene
Good hygiene is also fundamental in keeping our rabbits healthy. The ideal is to clean the droppings, wet hay, and food residues from the cage daily and also to keep the drinking troughs and feeders always clean. It is also necessary to clean the whole cage at least once a week. The main goal is to avoid the proliferation of bacteria that can affect the health of our pets.
Rabbits, in general, are delicate pets. They are prone to colds and other respiratory illnesses, so you should never give your rabbit a full-body, and you should always keep your rabbit away from air currents. We also recommend keeping their cage in a place that is too hot as your rabbit could become dehydrated. It should be placed in a cool, well-ventilated area. Also, make sure their cage is roomy and offers them enough space to move around freely and comfortably.
Feeding a Californian Rabbit
Complete and balanced nutrition is essential for the full and adequate development of the rabbits. Feeding should supply all the nutritional needs of the rabbit, avoiding the negative consequences of potential nutrient deficiencies.
- Hay is the basis of the diet of adult rabbits. Thanks to its rich fiber concentration, hay stimulates intestinal flow and aids digestion, thus preventing digestive illnesses. Your rabbit will need to have fresh and good quality hay always available in its cage. Replace hay if it gets wet, or if it comes in contact with urine as moisture promotes the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other infective agents, which can threaten your rabbit’s health.
- Pellets should be of high quality. They should consist of a high percentage of fiber, a low level of fat as possible, and not have too much protein. Rabbit pellets should never contain any ingredients of animal origin. Their main ingredients should come from forage plants such as alfalfa, and should never consist of any cereals, flours, or any by-products of vegetable origin.
- You should give them fruits and green veggies in reduced quantities, as too many sugars and carbs may lead to bowel diseases as well as obesity.
- It is essential to offer fresh and clean water in your cage at all times.
Organic wood and fruit branches which are appropriate for offering to your rabbit are necessary for the wear and tear of its teeth. These should not contain chemical substances which could cause damage to the organism of your furry partner.
California Rabbit’s Health
Generally speaking, Californian rabbits are quite healthy. But they are exposed to suffer from several illnesses if we do not give them adequate care. The following are some points to consider:
- Pay regular visits to the vet. The Californian rabbit can develop some common illnesses such as bacterial, viruses or fungal infections, diseases like rabies and tularemia, and skin problems, amongst others. Your vet will help detect an illness in time and will always keep your pet vaccinations and de-worming up to date.
- Maintain a clean cage and environment. If your rabbit lives in a dirty or dusty environment, it can develop respiratory problems and other illnesses. As we have already mentioned, regular cleaning of the cage is essential to avoid the proliferation of bacteria and fungi, which can affect the health of your rabbit.
- Avoid sudden changes in temperature. The Californian rabbit, like all rabbits, is very sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. They adapt better to temperate climates. If temperatures are very high, it is fundamental to properly condition the environment of your rabbit to avoid excessive heat and sun rays leading to heat stroke, burns, or other risks to its well being. Bunnies are also sensitive to extreme cold. Even though it has a dense fur that helps it to conserve heat, your rabbit will need your help to protect itself from low temperatures, preventing burns, colds, and hypothermia. So remember to provide your rabbit with a properly conditioned shelter during the winter and never leave it out in the open.
Californian rabbits make excellent pets. These animals are smart and are always willing to learn and interact with their new family. It is important to commit oneself to its education and mental stimulation, presenting it with different orders of obedience, tricks, tasks, and numerous activities. We should also need to respect that they love to enjoy peaceful moments, especially when resting and feeding. In this way, you will be able to provide a healthy and happy life to your fluffy companion.