How Long Do Rabbits Live and Key Points for Scientific Breeding to Extend Their Lifespan

Rabbits are a fairly common type of domestic animal in our country. Because of their lively, cute and active appearance, they are loved by people, and many people keep them as pets. If you want to raise rabbits well, you need to master good breeding techniques. So how long can rabbits live? How should they be raised to achieve longevity? Do you understand all these breeding key points?

I. How long is their lifespan?

1. The lifespan of rabbits:

There are many kinds of rabbits, and each lifespan is related to breeding techniques, so if you want rabbits to live long, you still need to manage them well. In general, the average lifespan of rabbits is 5 to 12 years, and the longest-lived rabbit can live about 19 years. Generally speaking, small rabbits have shorter lifespans than large rabbits.

2. The lifespan of some rabbits:

(1) The lifespan of the dwarf rabbit:

The dwarf rabbit is one of the longest-lived rabbits in the world, with an average lifespan of 8 years, and the longest-lived individual even reached 16 years old. The average lifespan of a rabbit is between 7 and 12 years. However, some breeds can have a lifespan as long as 15 years, while others have only a short 5-year lifespan. In addition, the lifespan of rabbits differs depending on food supply, predators, disease, and the environment provided to them.

(2) Lop rabbit

The lifespan of the lop rabbit can reach 5 to 12 years, normally about 10 years, and only with good management can it reach 12 years.

(3) Factors affecting the lifespan of rabbits:

① One rabbit per cage: Two rabbits of the same sex placed together have a high chance of chasing and fighting each other, so for safety, it is best to give each rabbit its own cage.

② Feeding: Rabbits have no sense of fullness and eat almost all day, so each time you feed them, you must control the amount, and the food fed must be fresh. If vegetables and fruits are insufficient, hay can make up for it. For example, young rabbits should be given alfalfa plus timothy hay; adult rabbits should be given unlimited timothy hay, with alfalfa fed 1 to 2 times a week to supplement nutrition.

③ Disease: Newly bought young rabbits have poor immunity, so it is recommended to have a stool test done first. If there are coccidia, first give coccidiostat medicine to prevent coccidiosis. Coccidiosis can only be prevented, not treated (there is no time), and many young rabbits die from coccidia, followed by diarrhea.

④ Environment: Rabbits like to live in a clean, dry environment, so you must clean frequently and keep the living environment ventilated and dry to prevent various diseases. Usually, it is recommended to clean the toilet about 2 times a day, clean the rabbit cage 1 to 2 times a week, and replace food and drinking water daily.

⑤ Do not frighten them: Rabbits are very timid. Once frightened, their appetite gradually decreases, which affects their growth. This usually shows as reduced appetite, not eating or drinking, and listlessness. Therefore, when raising rabbits, you should choose a quiet and safe place.

⑥ Cool down in summer and keep warm in winter: Rabbits have a lot of fur, and the most suitable temperature is generally 15 to 25 degrees. When the summer temperature exceeds 28°C, you need to cool them down. It is best to move them indoors, but air conditioners and fans must not blow directly on them, and the temperature must not be too low. Pay attention to regular ventilation, and you can prepare tiles, stainless steel plates, etc. as cooling boards for them. If the temperature is above 30°C and you still do not cool them down and relieve the heat, then rabbits are very prone to heatstroke! When the winter temperature is below 10°C, you need to do a good job of keeping them warm. Surround the rabbit cage with small cold-proof blankets, and put an old sweater, small blanket, or a cute cotton nest in the cage; these are all good choices. When the temperature is below 5°C, rabbits will feel very, very cold. At this time, if you still have not done a good job of keeping them warm, then their lives are in danger!

⑦ Exercise: Rabbits eat every day, so they should be given appropriate exercise to promote digestion. Whether or not conditions allow, at least let the rabbit out to play for about 2 hours every day. More exercise can prevent many rabbit diseases.

⑧ Tooth grinding: Rabbits need to grind their teeth throughout their lives. If your rabbit loves to eat hay, then basically the daily tooth-grinding task is completed! You can also buy some other tooth-grinding tools for it. A rabbit that does not grind its teeth cannot survive well; remember this.

⑨ Bathing: Our principle is to avoid bathing rabbits as much as possible, except for long-haired rabbits. This is because long-haired rabbits really cannot keep themselves especially clean.

II. How should they be raised to achieve longevity?

1. Breeding techniques:

① A quiet living environment

Rabbits are very timid. When they suddenly hear noises, they show a “startled” reaction, and their appetite decreases. A mother rabbit that is giving birth is often startled and has difficult labor or refuses to nurse the young rabbits. Apart from exercise and eating, they like to rest and sleep, and they become alert at once with any movement.

② Temperature

Rabbits have very dense fur and underdeveloped sweat glands, so in summer, it is best to move them to an environment with a suitable temperature, while in winter there is no need to worry, as their fur can withstand severe cold. Adult rabbits can endure temperatures below zero, and can carry out winter breeding at around 5°C.

③ Food feeding

During the day, apart from eating, rabbits like to rest or sleep in the cage, but at night they are unusually active and eat frequently. Their food intake at night accounts for about 75% of the total daily ration, so when raising rabbits you must insist on feeding night grass.

④ Living environment

Rabbits like to dig burrows to live in. When raised free-range, they dig burrows even more frequently before each breeding period. When building rabbit houses, attention should be paid to this in both design and materials. According to this habit of rabbits, mountain and hilly areas with good climate can be used for burrow raising.

⑤ One rabbit per cage

When adult male rabbits meet, they chase and bite each other, and female rabbits placed together also bite each other. Male and female rabbits mostly get along harmoniously together, so during management, try not to raise adult male rabbits or adult female rabbits together.

2. Feeding taboos:

① Try to choose fresh food for rabbits to eat. If the leaves are dirty, it is best to wash them before feeding.

② The food rabbits eat is generally fresh and mild, so it is best not to let rabbits eat food that is too spicy, too hot, or too cold.

③ Rabbits eat fairly frequently, so when feeding artificial feed, you should adjust the amount to avoid wasting feed or making the rabbit overweight from eating too much feed. At the same time, feed at fixed times and in fixed amounts every day to develop good habits.

④ Rabbits eat only a few kinds of grass, so do not casually cut various flowers and grasses from the roadside to feed them.

⑤ If changing feed, it needs to be changed gradually in amount every day, so that the rabbit has a process of adaptation and does not suffer gastrointestinal discomfort as a result.

⑥ Rabbits are lively and active, so let them exercise appropriately every day to aid digestion.