An Overview of the Life Of a Backyard Rabbit
By Tom Seest
How Long Do Backyard Bunnies Live?
If you’ve ever wondered how long backyard bunnies live, you’re not alone. Bunnies live longer than cottontail rabbits, but you still need to consider some safety precautions. Ensure that your bunny is neutered or spayed, and make sure it has a bunny buddy to play with. Big animals can take a meal out of a bunny, so don’t leave them alone in the yard.
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Table Of Contents
Do Domestic Rabbits Live Longer Than Cottontail Rabbits?
Rabbits generally live for about 15 years, which makes them an excellent choice for a pet. Unlike rats, rabbits are easy to care for, friendly, and curious, making them great pets for kids and families. The oldest recorded rabbit was Flopsy, who lived to the age of 1 year and 10 months. Some rabbits may live longer, but it is rare for a rabbit to live that long.
The lifespan of a domestic rabbit varies based on the breed, age, and care provided. Some breeds live longer than others, such as the Flemish giant, the Netherland dwarf, and the Mini Lops. Smaller rabbits tend to live longer than larger breeds, but scientists are not sure exactly why.
Wild rabbits are subject to many predators, including humans and dogs. If you have a pet rabbit, bring it indoors and contact a licensed veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator. If you catch a rabbit, do not try to feed it. This could lead to harm.
A domestic rabbit’s lifespan is shorter than that of a cottontail rabbit. The lifespan of an eastern cottontail is about 15 months. It has a gestation period of about four weeks. It gives birth to a litter of up to five or six young. The young are born blind and need constant care from their mother. The female rabbit often sneaks back to the nest to feed the young. After the litter is born, a female cottontail rabbit can become pregnant and breed again, which increases the lifespan of her young.
Some people choose to raise domestic rabbits for meat. But the fact is that an outdoor rabbit’s lifespan is shorter by about half compared to an indoor one. This is because outdoor rabbits have more physical hazards, lack companionship, and are susceptible to illness. Furthermore, they are susceptible to hairballs if they are not properly cared for.
One of the most important factors in determining the longevity of a domestic rabbit is gender. Female rabbits should be neutered to avoid a higher risk of developing cancer later in life.
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Do Rabbits Need Mental Stimulation?
Toys provide mental and physical stimulation to rabbits. They also help keep rabbits healthy. Adding new chew toys will help your bunny stay happy and active. Bunnies need hard objects to chew on. These objects will help them clean their teeth naturally. Without toys, rabbits may be tempted to chew on your furniture or baseboards.
Foraging mats can provide a variety of activities that keep your bunnies happy. Adding cups to the mats allows them to push and toss them around, making them make fun sounds as they play. You can reload the mats every few days so your rabbit doesn’t get bored.
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Do Rabbits Need to Be Spayed Or Neutered?
After getting neutered, backyard bunnies need to rest and recover from the procedure. This will allow the hormones in their body to settle. This is also important to give time for any remaining sperm to die off. After neutering, bunnies will need at least four weeks before they can resume full contact with other bunnies.
Spaying also helps minimize the risk of reproductive cancers, which are common in rabbits. Having their uterus removed will also prevent them from developing hormone-induced behaviors such as aggressiveness and territorial marking. Lastly, a neutered bunny will be quieter and calmer.
The time required to bond with a pet is a significant factor in preventing aggression. Once bunnies are bonded, it is important to avoid putting them in the same cage as other animals. Males should not be kept with females. Females need more space and should have separate enclosures.
The average lifespan of a spayed house rabbit is eight to 10 years, though many live longer. Even if you keep your bunnies in hutches, make sure to secure them at night. Using a lock is crucial in protecting them from predators.
Female rabbits should always be spayed or neutered. This will increase their lifespan. Spayed rabbits are also less likely to contract uterine cancer. Spaying and neutering your rabbits will also make them happier and improve their litter box habits. If you’re unsure about spaying or neutering your pet rabbit, ask your veterinarian for advice.
The procedure for neutering a rabbit requires only a short incision. The vet will make an incision in the scrotum and remove the testicles. It will take up to three weeks for a male rabbit to recover completely from the procedure. Afterward, he or she should be kept away from unaltered female rabbits for the recovery period. Spaying and neutering a rabbit should only be performed by an experienced vet. Your veterinarian may be able to recommend a vet who has performed this procedure.
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Do Rabbits Need to Have Bunny Buddies?
A backyard rabbit’s average lifespan is about 4.2 years, but it may even be longer if it has a bunny friend. In the wild, a rabbit’s life span can exceed 13 years. Typically, bunnies give birth to a litter of three to five babies. The newborns remain in the nest for three to four weeks, nursing their mother. Because they’re social animals, backyard bunnies who live without a bunny friend often live to be 3-6 months old.
Bunnies need lots of space to exercise, and their hutches should be connected to safe exercise areas. They can also have a free run of a garden or a house. However, their hutches and cages should be treated more like burrows than confined areas. In the wild, rabbits run for several hours each day.
This photo was taken by Anna Shvets and is available on Pexels at https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-rabbit-with-pink-party-hat-4588072/.
