Dwarf rabbits lifespan
Rabbits are kind, affectionate creatures. Keeping them at home brings joy to all family members. In this regard, the question arises: how long do dwarf rabbits live?
How long do dwarf rabbits live?
If you want to find yourself a reliable friend for a long time in the form of a pet, you should study well the characteristics of individual breeds of these animals.
Long-lived rabbits
Dwarf rabbits are not long-livers in terms of average life expectancy. Today for pets to live for 8 years is already a record. Most often, subject to all the rules for the care and feeding of animals, the animal lives no more than 6-7 years. But there are also exceptions. Several record holders even got into the Guinness Book of Records. However, the oldest furry was not honored to get there. In Scotland, according to some information, in ordinary apartment conditions there lived an eared eared, who died of old age only at the age of 24, but nothing is known about his breed.
Among the celebrities of the animal world, recorded by representatives of the Book of Records, the most famous are the dwarf rabbits Do from the USA (died at 17) and Floppy from England (died at 19). It is very difficult to reach this age without certain genetic characteristics of individual breeds.
Longevity conditions
The decorative rabbit is a creature with a delicate immunity, and few breeders can keep it in good condition. It is the state of health of animals that most often affects the fact that fluffies leave this world just a few years after birth. In order to maximize the life of pets, you should:
- regularly undergo veterinary examinations and vaccinations;
- monitor the quality of the animal's diet;
- take good care of him;
- castrate males;
- organize daily walks for the animal.
Also, the life expectancy of domestic animals depends on:
- breeds;
- the health of the rabbit's parents;
- the presence or absence of genetic defects;
- predisposition to disease.
Every experienced breeder knows how to tell if a rabbit is old or not. Dwarf rabbits kept in ordinary home cages lose their sparkle with age. The quality of the wool also deteriorates: it begins to fade and thin out. The previously noticed activity and playfulness disappear. Often, by old age, the eared ears grow fat and acquire a saggy belly. In addition, these animals are shy, and this is a serious problem. The rabbit may even die due to severe fright.
Do not feel sorry for your pet, fearing that castration will bring him a lot of pain and inconvenience. According to the results of numerous studies, the operated males and females delight the owners for several months longer than their full-fledged relatives. This difference is determined by a decrease in the risk of genital tumors, which are observed in these animals in at least 20% of cases. In addition, these data were obtained from the study of individuals that previously underwent regular mating.Rabbits kept in home cages are most often deprived of this opportunity. This increases the risk of cancer.
Which breeds live longer
According to the results of many years of observations and reviews of the owners of eared rams, the Lop-eared ram lives the longest.
This breed has a longer life span even without proper care. In the absence of serious genetic abnormalities, as well as acquired diseases, an individual lives up to 9 years. The Rex breed is considered a little less tenacious. Each of its representatives lives up to 5-7 years. Colored Dutch rabbits have the same lifespan.
How long a rabbit provided for everyone lives on. What can a person count on, who makes every effort to prolong the existence of his pet? According to experts, pets can easily be kept for another 12-36 months by the average life. Often, a good attitude of the owner becomes the main criterion for the longevity of these pets. If an individual dies by the age of 13 or 14, all these years are the merit of the owner.
A wild animal lives much less than a pet. And this is due to several factors. According to scientists, in 90% of cases, small rabbits live longer than their larger counterparts. In addition, how long a wild animal will live depends on natural factors, because lagomorphs prefer to spend most of their lives in burrows, which are occasionally flooded with groundwater. In addition to precipitation, there is a high risk of being eaten by a more formidable animal, therefore, the life expectancy of wild rabbits is measured in 2-4 years.
Correct content
Dwarf creatures kept in normal cell conditions require regular walking.
Like other animals, they maintain their health, being constantly on the move. Keeping in a cramped cell quickly leads to metabolic disturbances. The result is obesity and the appearance of signs of various diseases. In addition, under these conditions, the work of the internal organs of the animal begins to change, and the musculoskeletal system also suffers. Paw problems are among the most common when keeping dwarf rabbits.
It is equally important to provide the rabbits with maximum comfort. It concerns not only amenities (bedding, feeders, cages, etc.), but also completely different factors. Dwarf creatures kept in normal apartment conditions must be protected from:
- bright light;
- falls from a height;
- strong noise;
- other pets (cats, dogs, rodents, etc.).
The nervous system of these animals is unstable, so you need to try to protect it as much as possible from external threats. Most often, a rabbit is a toy in the hands of a child. This should not be allowed. In such aggressive conditions for crawling, excessive fearfulness, as well as playing with children, often lead to the premature death of animals.
Those who want to have their own friend in the person of a dwarf rabbit must provide him with everything he needs. The animal quickly gets used to a person, but even over the years it does not cease to be afraid of him. It is very difficult to correct this situation. In addition, the threat from other stimuli prevents the rabbit from completely relaxing.
Proper nutrition
How long a rabbit will live in an apartment also depends on how a person chooses a diet for him correctly.
These animals have one drawback: they are prone to obesity. This drawback is removed when drawing up a daily menu for the animal. The main products that he consumes are of plant origin. It remains to dose them correctly. Experienced breeders recommend feeding the animals 6-7 times a day in small portions.
Animals willingly eat hay, cereals, herbs and vegetables. In addition, we must not forget about vitamins and useful microelements. They are found in specialized feeds and supplements. But before giving them to your pet, you should consult your veterinarian.Not all breeds need the standard vitamin complexes available at pet stores. The only thing that raises no doubts is the need to buy a grindstone for teeth. This item will be a real salvation for the owners of the dwelling, because each rabbit gnaws everything that it comes across on its way.