When most individuals consider rabbits, they think about small balls of fluff that don’t attain greater than 5 kilos. However do you know there are some breeds of rabbits that attain over 10 and even 20 kilos? These giant rabbit breeds are nonetheless the identical species as different home rabbits, however (like canines) they’ve been bred over time to be a lot bigger than your common rabbit and require slightly extra specialised care.
Generally, big and enormous breeds of rabbits will be cared for a similar as smaller rabbits. There are completely different necessities for housing and eating regimen, to accommodate the bigger measurement. Large Rabbits are additionally extra in danger for some medical considerations, equivalent to coronary heart assault and arthritis.
As a notice, this text is discussing big breeds of rabbits as pets solely. I do know they’re generally saved and bred as livestock for his or her meat, however I can’t go into the ethics, authorized housing necessities, or husbandry strategies since this web site solely focuses on the care of rabbits as pets and companions.
Necessary: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. As an affiliate to Amazon, Small Pet Choose, and Chewy.com, I earn a small fee from qualifying purchases.
What is a huge rabbit breed?
More often than not when folks discuss big rabbits, they’re particularly referring to Flemish Large rabbits or Continental Large rabbits (which isn’t really a acknowledged breed in America), since these are the breeds that may attain 20 kilos and better. Nevertheless, there are 4 acknowledged breeds with ‘big’ within the title (Flemish Large, Checkered Large, Large Angora, and Large Chinchilla). As well as, there are a lot of extra breeds which might be fairly giant.
Since ‘big’ will not be a standardized phrase inside rabbit breed terminology, I take advantage of it to incorporate any giant breed of rabbit that may attain over ten kilos when they’re absolutely grown adults. Most of those rabbit breeds will nonetheless solely be the scale of a cat when absolutely grown (which remains to be fairly giant), however some can attain greater than 15 kilos and be larger than small canines.
Giant rabbits had been initially bred as livestock for his or her meat. That is nonetheless the case, even as we speak since their giant measurement makes the rabbits extra interesting for that function. However, the lengthy historical past as livestock has additionally induced these rabbits to develop a extra docile and pleasant nature towards people, making them a wonderful selection for a pet rabbit.
The looks of enormous breeds versus small breeds of rabbits
For essentially the most half, big rabbits will merely appear to be huge rabbits. Nevertheless, they have a tendency to have stockier, extra muscular our bodies due to their historical past of being raised for his or her meat. This makes their look chubbier in proportion in comparison with smaller rabbits. Additionally they normally have wider faces with the looks of chunkier cheeks, particularly in males.
Giant rabbits additionally usually have a extra pronounced dewlap and they’re extra frequent. A dewlap is the additional pocket of fats in entrance of a feminine rabbit’s neck. Normally, if a rabbit is spayed when she is younger, she won’t develop a major dewlap, however bigger females most likely will regardless. In smaller species, male rabbits don’t develop a dewlap except they’re chubby. Nevertheless, in bigger breeds, some males will develop small dewlaps (known as a pencil line) even when they’re a wholesome weight.
One other distinction you could discover is the information of rabbit ears. For many rabbit breeds with upright ears, your complete ear stays straight. Nevertheless, with giant rabbits with bigger ears, the cartilage that makes up the form of the ear can’t all the time assist itself. It’s pretty frequent for the information of their ears to be barely floppy and bend greater than the remainder of the ear.
Checklist of enormous rabbit breeds
The record of enormous and big rabbits which might be acknowledged by the American Rabbit Breeders Affiliation (ARBA) embody:
- American
- American Chinchilla
- American Sable
- Argente Brun
- Beveren
- Blanc de Hotot
- Californian
- Champagne d’Argent
- Checkered Large
- Cinnamon
- Creme d’Argent
- English Lop
- Flemish Large
- French Angora
- French Lop
- Large Angora
- Large Chinchilla
- New Zealand
- Palomino
- Rex
- Rhinelander
- Satin
- Silver Fox
Are big rabbits more durable to look after than smaller breeds?
All in all, big rabbits require just about the identical degree of care as smaller breeds. Large rabbits will, in fact, want more room and meals in comparison with smaller rabbits, however general these don’t actually have an effect on the extent of problem of the care rabbits want.
The 2 facets that have an effect on the extent of care that enormous rabbits want are the general character of the rabbits and the benefit of dealing with. For a lot of giant rabbits, their calm character makes them simpler to look after. Nevertheless, it’s additionally usually harder to deal with big rabbits resulting from their elevated measurement.
The character of big rabbits
Most bigger breeds of rabbits have been bred to have a extra docile nature. Because of this they’re usually much less aggressive towards people and they’re general very affectionate. It’s extra frequent for big rabbits to be lap rabbits who take pleasure in sitting in your lap or laying subsequent to you on the couch, and so they typically take pleasure in cuddling up subsequent to you and are general mild giants.
Regardless of this, it’s essential to do not forget that big rabbits are nonetheless rabbits at coronary heart. They nonetheless startle simply and are usually extra skittish than different frequent family pets (like cats and canines) due to their instincts as prey animals.
It’s additionally essential to do not forget that these are simply common character traits of most big rabbits. I’ve identified big rabbits that had been extremely candy and pleasant, however I’ve additionally identified giant rabbits who weren’t socialized with people after they had been youthful. Consequently, they maintained a common wariness of individuals and didn’t find yourself being very affectionate. That’s why it’s all the time a good suggestion to go to an animal shelter and meet the rabbit you need to undertake so you possibly can study their character because it doesn’t all the time match up with how their breed says they’re speculated to act.
Rabbits, each small and enormous, are additionally going to have the instincts to dig and chew. You’ll must be simply as cautious to make sure your private home is absolutely rabbit-proofed to ensure your rabbit doesn’t get harm or get too harmful.
Dealing with big rabbits
Most rabbits don’t like being held, and this goes for large rabbits too. That is why their giant measurement could make it rather more tough to deal with them when choosing them as much as clip their nails, put them in a provider, administer medication, or maintain them for some other motive. The load of the rabbit and general stocky physique sort makes it tough to get a very good grip and maintain the rabbit from kicking out of your arms.
Are big rabbits good pets for youngsters?
Giant and big rabbits are sometimes higher pets for youngsters than smaller breeds. Since most giant rabbits have a way more laid-back character, they are usually calmer when they’re touched. Since they’re bigger, it’s additionally much less possible that kids will attempt to (or be capable of) choose the rabbit up and deal with them in a means that may injure them.
Nevertheless, it relies on the character of the precise rabbit you need to deliver residence as a pet. Whereas most big and enormous breeds of rabbits are calmer and friendlier than smaller breeds, that doesn’t apply to each single rabbit as a person. If you wish to deliver a big rabbit into a house with kids, I like to recommend letting your children meet and work together with the rabbit first earlier than deciding to undertake.
Generally, I don’t advocate rabbits as pets for youngsters youthful than 5 years previous. Since rabbits do have sharp claws and powerful enamel, there’s the potential for damage when kids are youthful and don’t perceive learn how to respect a pet’s boundaries.
Even for older kids, all the time deal with your rabbit as a household pet. You, because the grownup, have to take accountability for the rabbit’s well-being and ensure the rabbit’s wants are taken care of. You additionally want to ensure your little one learns learn how to pet and work together along with your rabbit with out pulling their ears, or toes, incorrectly dealing with them, or in any other case hurting the rabbit.
Caring for large rabbit breeds
Large rabbit breeds will be cared for a similar means as smaller breeds of rabbits. There are some variations within the quantity of house they require and the quantity of meals these rabbits eat, however for those who find out about fundamental rabbit care, what you study can even apply to giant rabbits. (study extra about fundamental rabbit care)
Area necessities for large rabbits
As you may count on, big rabbits want much more house than smaller breeds. The overall rule for rabbits is that the enclosure ought to be three to 4 instances the total size of your rabbit when they’re stretched out. And that’s only for their dwelling house. Rabbits require much more house to train every day.
This finally ends up being a complete lot of house dedicated to your rabbit. You will get a number of pet train pens (this type of pen) and hyperlink them collectively to create your rabbit’s habitat. However a good higher answer is to free-roam your rabbit.
Relatively than looking for an enclosure that’s large enough, you possibly can let your rabbit roam free round your private home identical to a cat or a canine. So long as you rabbit-proof your private home and litter-train your rabbit, this state of affairs is certainly the most suitable choice for serving to you and your rabbit stay fortunately collectively. When you can’t give your rabbit your entire residence, contemplate rabbit-proofing one room and making it the bunny room.
Train necessities
Giant rabbits do have a tendency to put round slightly greater than smaller rabbits. It all the time appears to me that the smaller the rabbit the extra hyperactive they’re. Which means it’s much more essential to ensure your big rabbit has ample time to discover and get some train. This gained’t be an issue in any respect in case your rabbit is free-roamed, but when they stay in an enclosure, you’ll want to let your rabbit out for train each time you might be residence.
Giant rabbits normally don’t hop up up to the mark as a lot as smaller rabbits. They have an inclination to choose the ground and normally don’t even trouble hopping up onto a sofa or platform like smaller rabbits. Because of this, you’ll want to ensure your rabbit has sufficient ground house to get the train that they want.
Ought to big rabbit breeds be saved indoors or open air?
I advocate for holding rabbits as indoor pets, whether or not huge or small. General, pet rabbits are safer when they’re saved indoors. There is no such thing as a threat of predators coming, and the danger of parasitic bugs is minimal when rabbits are saved indoors. Indoors additionally tends to be extra local weather managed, so that you don’t have to fret as a lot about your rabbits getting warmth stroke in the summertime or frostbite within the winter.
Whereas big rabbits do want lots of house, most residences (even studios) are large enough so long as your rabbit is free roam. When you stay in a bigger condominium or home, you nearly undoubtedly have sufficient house indoors to your big rabbit to be pleased and comfy.
Food plan for large rabbit breeds
The eating regimen for large rabbit breeds is more-or-less the identical as smaller rabbits, they only want extra of every little thing. At the start, your rabbit will want loads of timothy hay to munch on all day lengthy. That is an important a part of your rabbit’s eating regimen as a result of it retains their digestion wholesome.
Large rabbits can even want contemporary leafy greens each day. This doesn’t must be a strict quantity however typically take into consideration half a cup per pound of physique weight (loosely packed) or two handfuls for each 5 kilos that your rabbit weighs. Suppose romaine lettuce, spring greens, herbs, kale, and different forms of leafy greens (keep away from iceberg lettuce). (record of greens for rabbits to eat).
Rabbits must also get pellets on daily basis. About ½ to ¾ cup is an effective guideline for many giant rabbits (or about 1 Tablespoon per pound they weigh). Nevertheless, since many giant rabbits will acquire weight faster than small rabbits, you could want to cut back the every day pellets in response to your veterinarian’s directions to assist your rabbit keep a great weight. Take the numbers on this chart as a suggestion, and make changes in response to your particular person rabbit’s wants.
| Weight of Rabbit | Quantity of Day by day Pellets |
| 10 lbs | ½ cup + 2 Tbsp (10 Tbsp) |
| 11 lbs | ½ cup + 3 Tbsp (11 Tbsp) |
| 12 lbs | ¾ cup (12 Tbsp) |
| 13 lbs | ¾ cup + 1 Tbsp (13 Tbsp) |
| 14 lbs | ¾ cup + 2 Tbsp (14 Tbsp) |
| 15 lbs | ¾ cup + 3 Tbsp (15 Tbsp) |
Keep away from candy vegetables and fruit (together with carrots, apples, raspberries, bananas, and many others.) besides as treats. These are unhealthy for a rabbit’s digestion in giant quantities, so it’s greatest to chop them into small items and solely give them out because the occasional yummy deal with.
What sort of bedding do big rabbits want?
Large rabbits don’t really want bedding. Nevertheless, to guard their toes (that are susceptible to creating sores), you may need to embody tender tub mats round your private home, notably in areas the place your rabbit likes to hang around for lengthy intervals of time.
In case your rabbit is free roam, contemplate a big canine crate as a mattress and residential base. Put tender mats down on the backside of the crate to your rabbit’s toes. That is additionally an ideal place to place your rabbit’s litter field, hay trough, and meals bowls so as to extra simply comprise any mess that your rabbit makes.
Most of all, you need to keep away from any type of wire-bottom crates or cages. The wire flooring can simply trigger sore hocks to develop in your rabbit’s toes, so add padding (towels, blankets, mats, and many others.) on high of the wire to assist forestall that.
Well being considerations for large rabbit breeds
Though the care for large rabbit breeds is similar to small rabbits, they do have an elevated threat of creating some illnesses or sicknesses in comparison with their smaller counterparts. You’ll need to be on the alert for these situations and discuss to your vet about making adjustments to your rabbit’s eating regimen or setting in the event that they develop into a difficulty.
- Sore hocks (pododermatitis). This can be a situation the place the rabbit will get sores on the heels of their hind legs. It will possibly occur to any rabbit however is particularly frequent in giant and overweight bunnies due to the surplus weight that’s being placed on their toes. Keep away from wire-bottomed cages to assist forestall sore hocks.
- Coronary heart assault. Giant rabbits are rather more susceptible to cardiovascular issues as a result of their little coronary heart has to work so onerous to maintain their bigger physique going.
- Arthritis. The joints of bigger rabbits are put below extra stress and strain than smaller breeds. Because of this, it’s extra frequent for them to get arthritis earlier in life, even when they’re nonetheless younger rabbits.
- Weight problems. Most giant rabbits had been initially bred for his or her means to realize weight simply, so they’re extra prone to develop into overweight. That is why it’s so essential to work along with your vet to design a nutritious diet to your rabbit since weight problems is a threat issue for a lot of, many rabbit illnesses and deadly situations (equivalent to GI Stasis)
- Poopy butt and fly strike. Typically big rabbits are so huge that they battle to bend over and maintain their bottom clear. Typically it’s additionally that their dewlap is just too huge and will get in the way in which of regular self-grooming behaviors. This could trigger poop to gather across the rabbit’s backside, forming right into a smelly ball. This, in flip, makes the rabbit a a lot larger goal for a lethal situation referred to as fly strike.
- Warmth stroke. Since big rabbits are larger and there’s already strain on their hearts resulting from their measurement, big rabbits are additionally at an elevated threat of warmth stroke. With giant rabbits, it’s greatest to attempt to maintain their dwelling temperature at or beneath 70ºF (21ºC) to maintain your rabbit snug and protected.
How typically do you have to go to a veterinarian?
Identical to different pets, you must deliver your big rabbit to the vet about annually. Because the rabbit ages or in the event that they develop a well being concern, you could need to discuss along with your vet and go for checkups extra steadily.
For rabbits, you do need to be sure to go to a veterinarian that makes a speciality of small animals. Their anatomy is completely different from cats and canines, so among the commonplace medicines and procedures are usually not protected for rabbits. That can assist you discover a rabbit vet close to you, take a look at the Home Rabbit Society’s (US) record of veterinarians, or the Rabbit Welfare Affiliation’s record (UK).
Life expectancy of big rabbit breeds
Sadly, giant rabbit breeds do have a shorter life expectancy than smaller breeds. Whereas different rabbits have an anticipated lifespan of about 8-12 years, the lifespan of enormous rabbit breeds is estimated to be about 6 to 9 years, primarily as a result of elevated well being dangers (particularly heart problems).
Provides for big rabbit breeds
Some provides that you simply’ll have to get for large rabbits are completely different from what you’ll want for small rabbits. For essentially the most half, it’s only a matter of getting merchandise which might be cat-sized moderately than rabbit-sized, however these are a few issues you possibly can take into consideration getting to your huge bunny:
- Giant litter field. Rabbits wish to have sufficient room to totally match and switch round inside their litter field.
- A number of tender pad floorings. This can assist forestall sore hocks from forming in your rabbit’s toes.
- Cat cubes. Rabbits like having a hidey home, however most which might be marketed towards rabbits are too small. As an alternative, a cat cave is normally a greater measurement to your huge bunny.
- A number of ex pens. If it’s a must to maintain your rabbit in an enclosure, I like to recommend utilizing 2 or extra train pens in order that the rabbit nonetheless has sufficient house to maneuver round of their habitat.
- A canine crate. In case your rabbit is free roam, you should use a big canine crate as a house base space to your rabbit. You possibly can put their litter field, hay, and meals bowls right here in order that the rabbit doesn’t make a multitude in the entire home.
Sources:
- “Arthritis in Rabbits.” Rabbit Welfare Affiliation. https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-health/sickness/rabbit-arthritis/
- Brown, Susan DVM. “Small Animal Diet.” Home Rabbit Society. Jun. 10, 2012. rabbit.org/small-animal-nutrition.
- “Caring for Large Rabbits.” Rabbit Welfare Affiliation. https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/maintenance-handling/caring-giant-rabbits/
- “Sore Hocks in Rabbits.” PetMD. https://www.petmd.com/rabbit/situations/pores and skin/c_rb_ulcerative_pododermatitis
- “Spinal Column Dysfunction in Rabbits.” PetMD. https://www.petmd.com/rabbit/situations/musculoskeletal/c_rb_spondylosis_deformans
- Van Praag, Esther. “Congestive coronary heart failure in rabbits.” MediRabbit.com. February 2015. http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Cardiology/Failure/Cong_heart_en.pdf
