{"id":9376,"date":"2014-11-05T20:19:31","date_gmt":"2014-11-05T20:19:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lafeber.com\/staging\/vet\/?p=9376"},"modified":"2023-02-02T09:08:22","modified_gmt":"2023-02-02T15:08:22","slug":"basic-information-for-european-rabbits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/vet\/basic-information-for-european-rabbits\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Information Sheet: European Rabbit"},"content":{"rendered":"

European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus<\/em>)<\/h1>\n
\"European<\/a>

Image by William Warby from Flickr Creative Commons<\/small><\/p><\/div>\n

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Natural history<\/h2>\n

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\nOriginally from the Iberian peninsula, the rabbit was introduced to the Romans over 2000 years ago. Rabbits were fully domesticated by the 17th century, and they became popular as children’s pets during the Victorian era.<\/p>\n

Originally from the Iberian Peninsula, southern France, and northern Africa, the European rabbit was introduced as livestock to the Romans over 2,000 years ago and was fully domesticated by the 17th century. Today the European rabbit is spread throughout Europe, except northern Scandinavia. It is naturalized in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, portions of North and South America, as well as numerous islands of the Pacific, African coast, and the Caribbean. Rabbits became popular as children’s pets during the Victorian era, and they are one of the most commonly used species in animal experiments.<\/p>\n

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Taxonomy<\/h2>\n

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\nClass<\/strong>: Mammalia<\/em><\/p>\n

Order<\/strong>: Lagamorpha<\/em><\/p>\n

Family<\/strong>: Leporidae<\/em> – hares, rabbits<\/p>\n

Genus<\/strong>: Oryctolagus – European rabbits<\/p>\n

Oryctolagus cuniculus<\/em><\/p>\n

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Breeds<\/h2>\n

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\nThere are at least 42 pet rabbit breeds<\/a>. Popular breeds include the Dutch, Netherland dwarf (adults weigh 1 kg or less), and Rex rabbit.<\/p>\n

There are at least 60 pet rabbit breeds<\/a>, which range in size from the very large Flemish Giant rabbit (up to 22 lb or 9.97 kg) to the smallest breed, the Netherland dwarf, which weighs 1 kg or less). Popular breeds include the Dutch, Lionhead rabbit, Mini lop, and Rex rabbit.<\/p>\n

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Diet<\/h2>\n

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\nHay<\/a> is essential to a rabbit’s health. Rabbits should also be fed a small amount of high fiber pellets (minimum 18% fiber), and a variety of vegetables including leafy green like cilantro and parsley as well as root vegetables<\/p>\n

Rabbits are strict herbivores and hay<\/a> is essential to a rabbit’s health. Hay should make up the bulk of the adult rabbit diet. High-quality, well-structured hay must always be freely available. The hay should be dry, but not dusty, and it must not smell musty or moldy. Dried herbs, flowers and leaves can be given in addition to hay. Myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic disease may be introduced with grass or leaves from the outside (see Vaccination below<\/em>).<\/p>\n

Fresh vegetables should make up approximately 25% of the adult diet. Rabbits should also be fed variety of vegetables, including leafy greens like cilantro and parsley, as well as root vegetables and\/or leaves of unsprayed deciduous trees (hazelnut, willow, birch). Download the client education handout, Basic Rabbit Care<\/a> for additional information.<\/p>\n

Fruits are not suitable for rabbits because of the high amount of sugar disrupts the health of the gastrointestinal tract.<\/p>\n

Grass hay-based rabbit pellets, free of grains and nuts, can also be offered in small quantities to adults. The amount offered can be higher during pregnancy. Pellets should contain at least 18% (better 20-22%) fiber. Maximal 1 teaspoon\/day\/animal of pellets should be given.<\/p>\n

Young, growing rabbits under 5 months require higher protein levels than adults. Offer alfalfa hay-based pellets ad lib may be useful, as well as a variety of fresh vegetables and hay.<\/p>\n

Rabbits have an extremely digestive system. Never introduce new food items abruptly, and when changing diets, the new feed should be gradually mixed in with the known food over a period of 14 days.<\/p>\n

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Husbandry<\/h2>\n

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\nRabbits are crepuscular, but they can adjust their schedule somewhat to that of their human family’s schedule. Rabbits are also very social animals. <\/a>Therefore rabbits should ideally never be kept alone. Pairs, harems and single sex groups can all live together peacefully. Female rabbits tend to fight than castrated males. For the inexperienced owner that does not plan to breed, a single sex group of castrated males or a pair (female and castrated male) is preferable.<\/p>\n

Rabbits have a strong hierarchy in their groups and are very territorial<\/a>. Fighting within a group are seen mostly only in the first days. Once the hierarchy is established, fighting is extremely rare. Introductions<\/a> of new animals can be challenging and should be done outside the known territory.<\/p>\n

House rabbits on solid flooring with recycled paper product or aspen shavings. If wire flooring must be used, cover at least a portion with carpet remnants, grass mats, synthetic sheepskin, or towels (monitor for chewing). Rabbits may be litter pan trained<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If held in cages, rabbits need at least 1 hour playtime outside the cage a day. “Bunny proof<\/a>” the home (or a room) by preventing access to electrical cords and other dangerous items while providing safe, chewable items and toys. Rabbits should also be provided with visual security such as a hide box (e.g. wooden house, untreated cardboard box, cork bark tube).<\/p>\n

Cage furniture should include items that rabbits can gnaw or nibble. Various woods, branches, bark, and root pieces should be offered to satisfy this natural behavior and promote normal dentition.<\/p>\n

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Normal physiologic values<\/h2>\n

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<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Temperature<\/a><\/td>\n101.3-103 F<\/td>\n38.0-39.6 C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pulse<\/a><\/td>\n180-325 bpm<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Respiration<\/td>\n30-60 bpm<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Blood pressure<\/a><\/td>\nArterial 80-91 mmHg\/td><\/td>\nSystolic 92.7-135 mmHg
\nDiastolic 64-75 mmHg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Blood volume<\/td>\n55-65 ml\/kg<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mean life span<\/td>\n6-10 years<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sexual maturity<\/td>\n4-6 months<\/p>\n

(breeding maturity<\/p>\n

F: 7-8 months<\/p>\n

M: 8-9 months)<\/td>\n

smaller breeds 4-4.5 months<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nlarger breeds 4.5-5 months<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gestation<\/td>\n30-33 days<\/td>\nInduced ovulators<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Birth weight<\/td>\n40-50 g<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Litter size<\/td>\n1-6 (average 2)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weaning age<\/td>\n6-8 weeks<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Target environmental temperature:<\/td>\n60-70 F<\/td>\n15.6-21.0 C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Daily water intake<\/td>\n120 ml\/kg\/day<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Anatomy \/ physiology<\/h2>\n

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Eyes-ears-nose-throat<\/p>\n