Which Rabbits Live The Longest

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Rabbit owners are attracted by different things when it comes to bunnies. Some owners look for particular colors, hair lengths, and sizes. However, If you are a pet owner that gets attached, you will want your pet rabbit to be around for as long as possible. So it is important to know how long rabbits generally live and which breeds have a history of longevity. Most pet owners and their children get really attached to their pets. We all know that the loss of a pet can be really stressful for a family, so it makes sense to put some effort into choosing a rabbit that has a fairly good chance of being around for a decade or more. As you set out to buy a bunny, it is good to be knowledgeable about the different breeds, so you can make a wise choice.

How long can a rabbit live?

Of course, you will want to know how long your rabbit will be with you. Pets become a part of our family. Fortunately, the average lifespan of a pet rabbit is about 8 to 12 years.

How many different types of rabbits are there?

If you are going to purchase a rabbit for the first time, it may be prudent to educate yourself on the different breeds of rabbits that are available. You may not know but there are about 60 rabbit breeds! You don’t have to learn off the list provided below by heart. This is just general information for the enthusiastic rabbit owner. It is also important to note that not all of the rabbit breeds listed are predominantly “pet” breeds. Of course, what is available to you will depend on where you are in the world. Here is a list that can be a pretty comprehensive guide.

• American
• American Fuzzy Lop
• American Sable
• Argente Brun
• Argente Crème
• Argente de Champagne
• Belgian Hare
• Beveren
• Blanc de Hotot
• Britannia Petite
• Californian
• Checkered Giant
• Chinchilla (Standard)
• Chinchilla (American)
• Chinchilla (Giant)
• Cinnamon
• Continental Giant
• Dutch Rabbit
• Dwarf Hotot
• Dwarf Lop ( Also called the Mini Lop in the USA)
• English Angora
• English Lop
• English Spot
• Flemish Giant
• Florida White
• French Angora
• French Lop
• Giant Angora
• Giant Papillon
• Harlequin
• Havana
• Himalayan
• Holland Lop
• Jersey Wooly
• Lilac
• Lionhead Rabbit
• Mini Rex
• Netherland dwarf
• New Zealand
• Palomino
• Polish Rabbit
• Rex (Standard)
• Rhinelander
• Satin
• Satin Angora
• Silver
• Silver Fox
• Silver Marten
• Tan
• Thrianta
• Velveteen Lop

Which breeds of rabbits live the longest?

As a committed pet owner, you will always be interested in the breeds that have a greater chance of living longer. Especially, if you have children in the home who may become very attached to their new pet. Here is a list of the pet rabbits that are usually around for a long time.

• American Rabbit – Even though it is considered a rare breed, it can live up to 12 years.
• Himalayan Rabbit– These rabbits are relatively small in size, have a wonderful temperament and live up to 8 years.
• Lionhead Rabbit– This unusual pet rabbit has an average life span of 7 to 9 years. They are wonderful with children.

• American Fuzzy Lop – As a domesticated pet rabbit, the American Fuzzy Lop can live up to 10 years.
• American Sable – This rabbit can also live for 10 years. They make good pets but are generally reared for commercial use.
• Argente Rabbits – There are three main types of Argente rabbits (Brun, Creme and de Champagne). These breeds are french show rabbits. They are one of the oldest breeds. In captivity, these rabbits can live for more than 10 years.
• Cinnamon – These rabbits when kept as pets can live up to 10 years. They are good-natured and easy to care for.
• Dwarf Lop – This little rabbit is also known as the Mini Lop. These pet rabbits are very hardy and can be easily identified by their long ears. They can live up to 12 years if they are kept as pets and properly cared for.
• Netherland dwarf – These bunnies are particularly tiny, they often weigh a mere pound. They generally live between 10 to 12 years.

  

• Jersey Wooly – This rabbit was first bred in the United States. They usually weigh up to 3 pounds. Their life expectancy is generally 6 to 9 years. They are generally very docile.

  

• Mini Rex – These bunnies come it at 3.5 pounds to 4.5 pounds. They are extremely playful and make great pets. The Mini Rex usually has a lifespan of 8 to 10 years.

  

Which breeds of rabbits have the shortest life span?

So the general rule of thumb, when it comes to the lifespan of rabbits, is that the larger the rabbit the shorter its life span. So the giant rabbit breeds generally live somewhere between 5 to 6 years tops. While you can have them for pets, they are usually show-bunnies. Some pet owners prefer large bunnies though and are not daunted by their short lives. Additionally, wild rabbits generally live shorter lives, than domesticated pet rabbits. Rabbits are more at risk in the wild. Their nutritional needs may not always be met and they may be more exposed to diseases.

• Flemish Giant – This is the largest bunny of all! Their average weight is 14 pounds, but the heaviest Flemish Giant came in at 22 pounds.
• Giant Checkered or the Giant Papillion (The UK name) – The name of this rabbit comes from his unusual coloring. The bunny usually has a white coat with black or blue spots. Additionally, a dark spot over the eyes and a unique black stripe down the back.
• Giant Angora -The full-grown bucks can reach 9.5 pounds and the does are a little bit heavier, at 10 pounds. These rabbits are pretty cool customers.
• Giant Chincilla – These docile creatures can reach up to 16 pounds.
• Continental Giant – These big guys only live 4 to 5 years
• French Lop – These bunnies are highly sociable. So I would recommend that you always keep them in pairs. Their average weight is around 10 pounds.

What can you do to improve your rabbit’s longevity?

The good news is if you have a rabbit that may not be on the long-livers list, there are things that you can do to improve his or her longevity.

• Feed your rabbit right – Proper nutrition is a non-negotiable when it comes to adding some years to your pet rabbit’s life. Your bunny needs a very specific diet. The most essential part of a rabbit’s nutritional requirement is hay or grass. This should be 80% of your pet rabbit’s diet. Fiber is critical for a bunny’s well-being. The other 20% is filled with nutritious vegetables that give the pet rabbit the vitamins and minerals that are needed for optimal health. You can also supplement with special rabbit pellets. If you follow these simple guidelines, you will definitely have a healthier bunny who may live longer.
• Keep your pet rabbit disease free – You should take your pet rabbit to the veterinarian regularly. Ensure that your bunny gets all the necessary vaccination. If they appear sick, make sure they get treatment sooner rather than later. It could mean the difference between life and death. A key component is keeping your pet rabbit disease-free is keeping their cages clean. They should also have fresh water daily. Rabbits can pick up parasites from the outdoors and other rabbits. So you should try to keep them flea-free by using prescribed fleas treatment and limiting their interactions with other rabbits and other pets. It is also very important that you use clean hands when handling your rabbits. This significantly decreases that chance of your pet rabbit contracting a viral or bacterial infection.
• Spay or neuter your pet rabbit – These procedures increase your bunnies’ lifespans significantly. Unfortunately, rabbits are likely to suffer from cancer. Bucks are prone to testicular cancer and does may get mammary and uterine cancer. Spaying and neutering will eliminate this risk and potentially add years to your bunny’s life.
• Ensure that your rabbit has a healthy lifestyle – Your rabbit’s only space should not be his hutch and cage. Rabbits need space and play. If you have your pet rabbit indoors, you should allow them to have some playtime in a designated room. You can check your local pet store for chew toys and other stimulating materials for your pet rabbit. Bunnies also need a stress free environment. High-stress levels can send your bunny into shock. You should be very vigilant when you have other pets or small children in the house. Cats and dogs may give your pet rabbit a hard time or your toddler may enjoy pulling on long ears. It is up to you to make sure your pet rabbit feels comfortable and safe.

So we can safely say there are some general rules to follow when you looking for a rabbit that you would like to live a long time.

• Smaller rabbits live longer than larger rabbits. So your best bet are dwarf breeds when you are looking for a rabbit that you want with you for a long time.
• Pet rabbits or domesticated rabbits live longer than wild rabbits. Wild rabbits are exposed to disease, predators and more.
• The processes of neutering and spaying increase a rabbits life span by about 5 years.

So a long-living bunny will most likely be small, spayed or neutered and well cared for.