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How long do rabbits live as Pets?

Owning a rabbit? Or planning to buy one? Well the first question that comes to mind is - How long do rabbits live as pets?

There are 43 different breeds of rabbits for pets and each of them have a different life span.

Depending on which breed you choose and where you live you can expect your rabbit to live generally for about 5 to 8 years. While Some live up to 10-12 years.

Here are some factors that determine the lifespan of your indoor bunny

  1. Handling your bunny. Improper handling by children can lead to sudden deaths of bunnies. I highly recommend you take a quick look at this article on - common mistakes you can make while caring for rabbits.
  2. Diet. Even more than humans, the diet of a bunny will certainly play a crucial role in the lifespan of your rabbit. Check out this article on - a healthy and balanced diet for bunny - Never Feed These Foods to Your Bunny | Harmful Food for Rabbits
  3. Extreme Temperatures - Even if you keep your bunny indoors you want to ensure that your rabbit is being kept at optimal temperatures. This is especially true for summers. Check out this article on - Tips for rabbit care during summers
  4. Genetics - Hereditary problems are common for all. So, when buying a new bunny for your home make sure to study the genetics of your bunny.
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do rabbits make good pets?

Yes. They make great pets. They are funny, playful, and loving. Here are some exciting games to play with your rabbit.

They want to be treated like a family and not someone that you keep in a cage and only pull out when you are bored.

They are loyal, fun, and very affectionate. However they love to chew so cleaning of the house can be a big problem.

And, if you can litter box train them then you save yourself a lot of work.

how long do netherland dwarf rabbits live as pets?

Typically a Netherland Dwarf rabbit live for 7-10 years. But with proper care and a healthy diet they can live between 10-12 years.

how long do lionhead bunnies live as pets?

These docile, intelligent and attention-loving lionhead bunnies live for up to 7-10 years as pets. However their lifespan varies and depends on a healthy and balanced diet, regular veterinary check ups, and a stimulating environment.

how long do lop eared rabbits live as pets?

A holland lop eared rabbit will live for 10 to 12 years. Some lop eared rabbits have lived up to 14 years. The best part is that they are not susceptible to hereditary diseases.

How long do pet rabbit live?

So, coming back to the first question of a rabbit lifespan. You may expect your bunny to live a healthy and hearty life for at least 7-8 years. Beyond that a rabbit becomes senior citizen.

Unless there are any other physical difficulties and the bunny is given a healthy balanced diet with regular vet check ups then you can expect they lifespan of your bunny to go beyond 10 years.

how long do rabbits live as pets indoors?

Indoor rabbits have a longer lifespan than that compared to a wild rabbit. An indoor rabbit lives for up to 7-8 years while a wild rabbit lives for as less as 2-3 years.

When you pet an indoor rabbit you can take care of many things such as provide them a balanced diet, taking them for regular vet check ups, handling them properly, playing with them and providing a stimulating environment.

[BONUS] Can you keep a wild rabbit as a pet?

Unfortunately No. This is true for all states across the US. I know if you see a wild rabbit who you think is not safe in your neighbourhood, you'll want to keep her safely in your home. But, a Wild rabbit belongs to the wild and it's not right to domesticate them.

Moreover they carry diseases which you don't want to spread. The most common cottontail rabbit which are widely available all across North America love to live alone and not as social or friendly like the European rabbits.

Therefore if you have pet rabbits already in your home, then this wild rabbit might be a big danger for them.

On the other hand there are so many adaptable domestic rabbits in shelter waiting for loving homes. You can easily adopt them and give them a good home.

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