Rabbits can make great pets, but you should do your research before adopting one to make sure they are a suitable companion for you. Here, our Clarksville vets explain how to properly care for a pet rabbit and what their expected lifespan may be.
What is the Lifespan For Pet Rabbits?
The lifespan of a rabbit depends on a number of factors. These main factors include:
How The Breed of Rabbit Affects Their Lifespan
As with most animals, the breed of your rabbit can have a significant impact on how long they live. In most cases, naturally smaller breeds of rabbit will live longer than larger ones.
Some breeds of rabbits are also genetically predisposed to health conditions and diseases that have the potential to shorten their lifespan. This is why it's important to do your research to know exactly what breed of rabbit best suits your pet needs and lifestyle.
Providing Proper Nutrition To Your Rabbit
Your rabbit's nutritional needs, like some medical care, changes depending on their breed. The food that you decide to feed your little one will have a direct effect on how long they may live as well as their quality of life. It is important to fully know their daily needs for vitamins, minerals, and fiber before adopting or buying your new friend.
Most commonly, though, your rabbit should be fed a diet of specialized pellets, hay and vegetables while also allowing them to enjoy the occasional treats and fruit in moderation.
How To Protect The Health of Your Pet Rabbit
One way that you can help ensure that your pet rabbit lives a long life is by protecting them with ongoing care.
Risk of disease and parasite infection is limited with good hygiene, such as washing your hands before and after handling your rabbit and keeping their enclosure clean!
Ongoing preventive care is also lucrative to the care of your rabbit. Consistently bring your rabbit to our Clarksville vets for routine exams. These routine visits will allow the vet to address any potential health concerns quickly as well as provide preventive care for any parasites that your rabbit may have contracted. Most rabbits only need 1 to 2 wellness checkups per year, but consult your vet first to make sure.
Our vets also recommend having your rabbit spayed or neutered. This can not only help prevent unwanted babies but also a variety of life-threatening cancers common in rabbits that aren't fixed.
Ensuring a Safe Lifestyle For Your Pet Rabbit
Many people think that rabbits are perfectly fine spending most of their lives in a cage, but this is not true. Rabbits that live with an open space to run around in and toys for mental stimulation tend to live longer and have more energy.
Another thing to keep in mind is that rabbits prefer calm environments and can panic when there are sudden movements or loud noises. If they suffer from too much stress due to children, other pets or loud sounds, it can cause them to go into shock which can be potentially fatal. Hone a calm, quiet environment for your rabbit with plenty of safe spaces they can enter when they feel they need it.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.