Rabbits often live much longer than most people realize. Gone are the days of the mentality and the belief that a rabbit’s natural life expectancy is only a few short years. With proper nutrition, husbandry, and medical care, most rabbits will live long, happy, healthy lives. As rabbits grows and matures, each life stage comes with some specialized and tailored care.
A rabbit’s life expectancy depends on many factors. Breed, genetics, diet, gender, living conditions and consistent healthcare all play a role in determining lifespan, but on average, most rabbits live 8 to 10 years. That being said, through good nutrition and quality wellness care, many rabbits are living to see 11, 12, or even older. Similar to other species like dogs and cats, rabbits mature at a much faster rate than humans. Knowing that your little one will mature rapidly, it is important you have a plan in place to address their needs as they age.
Young rabbit
A young rabbit is typically classified as any rabbit under the age of 12 months, though some giant breeds may be considered an adult around 9 months of age. During this first year of life, rabbits will go through three distinct stages:
Baby (newborn – 3 months), Adolescence (3 months – 6 months) and Teenager (6 months – 12 months)
A farmer is encouraged feeding a uniform young rabbit formula until a rabbit reaches 12 months of age. These alfalfa-based pellets contain a diversity of ingredients nutritionally-focused on supporting the specific needs of growing animals. Alfalfa provides optimal protein and calcium to support healthy muscle and bone formation, as well as good amounts of fiber which all rabbits need for proper digestion and overall health. While your rabbits are still on the young formula, it is recommended feeding an unlimited quantity of pellets. The goal is to provide enough pellets that there are always some available, without giving your little ones the option to “gorge” themselves. This helps ensure your little one will get plenty of the micro-nutrients and protein they need during this phase of quick maturation.
It is also important to ensure your rabbit has a large, safe area in which to live and play. Young rabbits are especially curious and active, and they need plenty of time outside of an enclosure to stretch their legs and help build strong, healthy muscles and bones.
Adult Rabbits
Rabbits are considered adults typically between the ages of 12 months and 5 years of age (depending on breed). Though growth has slowed or ceased, adult rabbits still have specific nutritional requirements. Balanced macro-nutrients (such as fiber, protein, and fat) and micro-nutrients (like vitamins and minerals) are essential to ensure your rabbit maintains their good health. Providing a controlled amount of high-quality, grass hay-based fortified pelleted food is a great way to ensure your little one is getting all of their nutritional needs met.
Once rabbits hit adulthood, they tend to slow down and may even gain a propensity for laziness, so it is important that they are consistently encouraged and provided opportunities to run, jump, and explore. Allowing rabbits time to stretch their legs and feed their natural curiosity provides them with a healthy dose of physical and mental enrichment. Be aware, however, that rabbits can become bored when exposed to the same environment day after day. Rearranging your rabbit’s habitat and all the various environments they may interact in can help limit boredom.
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