Last Updated on July 13, 2023 by Admin
Rex rabbit is one of the popular breeds due to their unique appearance, friendly temperament, and easy adaptability to domestic environments. For these reasons, rex rabbits make great pets both for indoor and outdoor setups. This article looks into their history, size/physique, color, temperament, lifespan/ health, care, diet, and housing.
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History
The Rex rabbit breed originated in France in 1919. They were initially bred for their velvety fur which was gray but later on through gene mutation it was altered to turn into a smooth and dense coat. Rex rabbits were later shown publicly for the first time in 1924 at the Paris International Rabbit Show. During the same year, the breed was introduced in the United States. By 1925 Rex Bunny was officially recognized as a standard breed in some parts of Europe.
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Size and physique
Rex rabbits are large-sized bunnies with a round commercial body shape that measures between 3.4 to 4.8 kg or 7.5 to 10.5 lb. Males weigh an average between 7 to 9 pounds while females are slightly larger weighing around 8 to 11 pounds. The rex rabbit has a well proportional medium lengthy body, a broad head, upright ears, and medium-sized ears.
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Color
One of the most distinguished features of the Rex rabbit is its luxurious velvety coat. Unlike other breeds, a rex rabbit’s fur lacks guard hair, it’s dense and silky soft with a variety of colors. They include Amber, Black, Broken, Blue, Black Otter, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Castor, Californian, Cinnamon, Fawn, Harlequin, Himalayan, Lilac, Lynx, Opal, Orange, Red, Sable, Satin, Smoke Pearl, Tortoiseshell, Seal and White.
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Temperament
When it comes to temperament, rex rabbits are calm and friendly breeds that make great pets for singles and large families. Their gentle disposition also makes them tolerant of petting or occasionally being picked up the right way. The breed is also known to be playful and curious by nature making them thrive where they get plenty of affection and attention.
In other words, a rex rabbit will mostly grow find of the person who not only feeds them but also spends the most time with their pet.
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Lifespan/ Health
The average lifespan of rex rabbit breeds is around 5 to 6 years. This is considering that they’re a large breed whose lifespan tends to be shorter than the average rabbit. Nevertheless, their life expectancy can increase with proper care and regular medical checkups or at least once per year. Below are some of the common health issues that are likely to affect your Rex bunny and their solutions.
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Dental issues
One of the common health problems that may affect your rex rabbit over time is dental issues. A rabbit’s teeth may grow too long to the extent of puncturing its mouth or gums. In other cases, your rex may develop tooth misalignment with prevents them from chewing properly. A preventative measure against dental issues is to ensure that your rabbit has enough fiber in their diet as well as chew toys to trim down their teeth. If your rabbit already has overgrown or misaligned teeth, always take them to the vet to have the problem sorted. Nevertheless, regular checks at least twice per year can help the veterinarian to detect the issue earlier on and prevent it from becoming severe.
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Sore hocks
The other common health issue that might affect your rex rabbit is sore hocks. This is when the bottom pads of a bunny’s feet develop sores sometimes leading to infections due to inflammation. This is due to the pressure exerted by their weight while standing on uneven surfaces. Considering that rex rabbits are a giant breed, avoid placing them on wired floor cages but rather on flat surface areas or vinyl flooring
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Spaying/Neutering
The last and third item is a precaution you might want to take if you want to improve the overall quality of life for your rex rabbit. In other words, spaying or neutering is reproductive surgery that prevents your bunnies from reproducing. The procedure should be done when your male rabbit is around 3 months while a doe should be at least 4 months of age.
Not only does spaying or neutering your rex rabbit prevent unwanted pregnancies, but it also comes with health benefits. For instance, spaying for does helps reduce the risk of uterine cancer while neutering bucks helps tame aggression and territorial behaviors.
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Care
In terms of caring for a rex rabbit, you need to ensure that they’re occasionally groomed. This entails brushing their fur once a week during normal days and twice a week when your bunny starts shedding its winter coats. This not only takes care of matting but also prevents your rabbit from ingesting its own fur when self-grooming in the long run. As a result, it may lead to intestinal blockages. Additionally, you’ll also need to make sure that your pet’s fur is clean by wiping the dirt using a dump cloth.
The other thing you’ll need to consider when it comes to Rex rabbit care is making sure that their toenails are properly clipped. A bunny’s overgrowth nails may interfere with movement they often get trapped on items in addition to the possibility of scratching their owners. The recommended time frame to clip a rex rabbit’s toenails is after every 7 to 8 weeks. For in-depth information on how to groom a rabbit, click on this link Rabbit grooming complete guide
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Diet
A balanced diet comprising primarily of hay, substituted with fresh vegetables and a limited number of pellets and fruit sparingly, on occasion is always recommended. On top of that make sure that your rabbit has 24/7 access to clean drinking water.
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Housing
Lastly, just like other rabbits, rex breeds need a conducive living space. In other words, provide them with a secure enclosure, with a hiding spot, away from loud noises or extreme weather. Additionally, their living space should be properly ventilated and spacious enough to allow them to move freely. The recommended housing space for a rex rabbit should measure on average 6 ft. x 2 ft. x 2 ft. On top of that, their living space should be at least 32 square feet and consist of chew toys, tunnels, and digging boxes, to keep them both mentally and physically stimulated.
For rabbits housed indoors, bunny-proof their entire living space by covering up electrical cords with hard plastic tubing. Alternatively, use deterrents to protect your valuables. For rex rabbits housed outdoors, make sure that your backyard is free from toxic plants. Additionally, it should be predator and escape-proof.
Lastly, when it comes to bedding and flooring, they need to be comfortable as possible. For instance, good flooring should provide traction, be a good absorber, have odor control, and should be non-toxic. In terms of bedding, make sure that it’s at least 2 to 3 inches deep. This will keep your pet warm and comfortable. Some of the recommended materials for Rex rabbits’ bedding include straw, hay, Aspen, or shredded cardboard.
What are rex rabbits known for apart from being wonderful companions?
Due to their striking appearance, rex rabbits are kept as show and exhibition animals. The breed is essentially judged by their fur quality, color, density, and general bone structure and muscle. On top of that, rex rabbits are also primarily used in fur production, especially in the United States. Lastly, the large breeds are also secondarily reared for their meat.
Do Rex bunnies get along with other pets?
Not only do rex rabbits get along with their owners, but they can easily grow fond of other animals such as cats and dogs as well. Nevertheless, always make sure that your other household pets are calm, well behaved with low prey drive.
What’s the average cost of Rex rabbits?
This popular large-sized bunny has an average cost of between $20 to $60. This entirely depends on where you’re adopting or purchasing them.
