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How Long Do Dwarf Rabbits Live as Pets? Vet Reviewed Lifespan, Data & Care

Kit Copson

By Kit Copson

Dutch Dwarf Rabbit

Vet approved

Dr. Luqman Javed Photo

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Luqman Javed

DVM (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Dwarf rabbits are popular family companions for their compact size, lovely, soft coats, and sensitive natures. They’re also not too challenging to care for (though this shouldn’t be mistaken for easy as care requirements are still very specific), and, with proper care and attention, Dwarf Rabbits can enjoy a relatively long and healthy life of 8-12 years as members of the family.

In this guide, we’ll reveal the surprising average lifespan of dwarf rabbits and explore factors that contribute to your dwarf rabbit living a full and happy life.

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What’s the Average Lifespan of a Dwarf Rabbit?

“Dwarf rabbit” is a term used to describe not a single breed, but various breeds of rabbit with the dwarf gene. The Netherland Dwarf Rabbit, Mini English Angora Rabbit, and Lionhead Rabbit are a few of the dwarf rabbit breeds. Average lifespans can vary slightly by breed, but healthy dwarf rabbits can live for between 8 and 12 years.

Some lucky dwarf rabbits, like the Mini Lop, have an even longer average lifespan of up to 14 years. To put this into perspective, giant rabbits typically only live for around 4–6 years on average, but there are exceptions and some live longer with excellent care.

Dwarf English Angora Rabbit
Image Credit: Sabine Everaert, Shutterstock

divider_rabbitWhy Do Some Dwarf Rabbits Live Longer Than Others?

When it comes to a dwarf rabbit’s health and overall quality of life, there are various factors to take into consideration. Let’s explore these factors further.

1. Nutrition

The largest percentage of a dwarf rabbit’s diet—at least 70% to be more precise—should be made up of good-quality hay, as this contributes to digestive and dental health. In addition to hay, your dwarf rabbit will need rabbit pellets from a reputable brand and supplementary fresh vegetables, like leafy greens. Root vegetables and fruits should only be given as treats.

Supplementary foods should only make up a maximum of 15% of the overall diet, as too many can lead to your rabbit gaining too much weight. Rabbits that are fed a healthy and balanced diet have a better chance of living for longer than a rabbit that is overfed or fed low-quality food.


2. Living Environment

An unstimulating or dirty living environment contributes greatly to a rabbit’s stress levels, which consequently has a knock-on effect on health. Your rabbit should live indoors in an enclosure that’s, at a minimum, 36 inches wide, 24 inches high, and 36 inches long. If you have more rabbits, the space should be bigger. It’s best if your rabbits are allowed out of their enclosure at least once a day (under supervision) to hop about and get more exercise.

The enclosure should be cleaned thoroughly at least once per week, be secure, well-ventilated, (wire-sided enclosures are good choices), and contain everything your dwarf rabbit needs to be comfortable, like paper-based bedding, a litter box, a box for hiding inside, food and water, a hay rack, and toys to keep them entertained while they’re inside the hutch.

a dwarf rabbit playing with a diy toy
Image Credit: Bunnada_S, Shutterstock

3. Exercise

In addition to having a comfortable, safe enclosure to live inside, dwarf rabbits need to be let out daily in your home for exercise in a secure area like a rabbit pen. They should be able to roam freely for 4 hours a day at a minimum, so you might want to consider making the rabbit’s exercise area somewhere they can have permanent access to.

If you move your rabbit pen outside on a nice day, be sure to supervise or, if you can’t supervise constantly, at least provide a pen that can close at the top to keep your rabbit safe from predators.


4. Socialization & Hutch Mates

Most rabbits prefer to live in a pair. They’re social animals and need that bond and interaction to feel happy and safe, which may contribute to a longer lifespan. It’s also important to start socializing and spending time with your rabbit as soon as you bring them home, to get them used to being handled.

This will greatly reduce their stress, as handling can be a very frightening experience for a rabbit that isn’t used to it. Go easy and let the rabbit come to you on their own terms, starting with gentle strokes and encouragement (perhaps with some tasty morsels) before you move on to pick them up.


5. Health & Vaccinations

Like other types of rabbits, there’s always the possibility that a dwarf rabbit will develop a health condition that either impacts their quality of life or shortens it. One way you can contribute to your dwarf rabbit’s health is to make sure they stay up to date with their vaccinations. Rabbit vaccinations are designed to protect against conditions like myxomatosis.

It’s also a good idea to be vigilant for signs of illness, like changes in appetite, changes in bathroom habits, posture changes, trouble eating, hiding more than usual, snuffling, and drooling.

In addition to myxomatosis, other potential health issues in dwarf rabbits include:
  • Dental problems
  • Parasites (i.e. mites, maggots, or cuniculi)
  • Respiratory conditions
  • Rabbit hemorrhagic disease
  • Digestive and gastrointestinal issues

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The 4 Life Stages of a Dwarf Rabbit

1. Newborn/Kit

A newborn rabbit is called a “kit” until they’re 3 months old. Newborn kits rely solely on their mothers for survival, as they’re born blind and hairless. They quickly gain independence and confidence when they are about 3-4 weeks old. The eyes usually open when the kit is about a week old, and the ears open around the 12-day mark.


2. Adolescent

Adolescent rabbits are aged between 3 and 6 months and have started the process of becoming sexually mature. They no longer need to rely on their mother for survival. This stage may also be marked by a phase of moodiness or difficult behavior, including urine spraying, aggression, and grinding of the teeth.


3. Adult

Rabbits are often considered fully-grown adults at 1 year old, but this can vary by breed. Some rabbit breeds aren’t considered to be adults until they’re a few years old. You may notice that your adult dwarf rabbit is a little less active than they used to be, and possibly more mellow.


4. Senior

Dwarf rabbits are considered seniors when they are about 8 years old. At this age onwards, they are often more mellow, less active, may lose some weight, and need more frequent veterinary care (at least once per 6 months).

close up cute netherland dwarf rabbit in lawn
Image Credit: CART00N, Shutterstock

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How to Tell Your Dwarf Rabbit’s Age

To get an idea of how old your rabbit is, you can take a look at the condition of their hocks, coat, nails, teeth, and energy levels. Bear in mind, however, that this isn’t a guaranteed method, as signs of aging might not always be apparent in some rabbits, especially those that have been well-cared for.

Nails

When young, a rabbit’s nails are softer and easier to cut. As the rabbit ages, the nails tend to thicken and become harder to cut. Senior rabbits might display scaliness.


Teeth

While typically quite white when a rabbit is young, middle-aged rabbits’ teeth tend to be a bit duller, and senior rabbits’ teeth may have a yellow tinge. This also depends on how well the rabbit’s teeth are cared for and their diet, so, again, this isn’t always an accurate determiner.

dwarf rabbit digging a hole
Image Credit: Viktoria Szabo, Shutterstock

Hocks

As rabbits get older, they may develop calluses, inflammation, or redness on their hocks as a result of pressure applied to the area by various activities. Young rabbits will usually have healthier-looking feet, but not always.


Coat

Senior rabbits might experience coat thinning, whereas healthy young and middle-aged rabbits are more likely to have a normal coat. However, younger rabbits can still experience skin conditions that might thin the coat.


Energy

While older kits, adolescents, and teenage rabbits are more likely to have bags of energy (hopping around contentedly, zooming, insatiable curiosity, etc.), adult rabbits might be more mellow, but they should still be reasonably active. Seniors will spend a lot more time snoozing.

Image Credit: Alisha Falcone, Shutterstock

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Conclusion

To recap, domestic dwarf rabbits live for up to 12 years on average and even longer in some cases. However, proper care, exercise, and a safe living environment are key to ensuring your dwarf rabbit has a good quality of life and, hopefully, a longer lifespan.

Of course, there are certain things that are impossible to control, like your rabbit getting sick despite your commitment to providing excellent care. The best thing you can do is to watch out for signs of illness and seek prompt veterinary attention if necessary.


Featured Image Credit: Volha Suhakova, Shutterstock

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