Rabbits
Rabbit Care: Age, Health & Nutrition
Everything you need to know about keeping your rabbit healthy at every age — from diet basics to senior care. Based on House Rabbit Society guidelines.
How Rabbits Age
Rabbits mature fast. A 1-year-old rabbit is roughly equivalent to a 21-year-old human — fully mature, sexually adult, and ready to reproduce. After that first year, aging slows to about 6 human years per rabbit year. The House Rabbit Society uses this formula to help owners understand that their "baby" is already an adult at 6 months old.
Size matters for lifespan. Dwarf breeds (Netherland Dwarf, Polish) tend to live 10-12 years. Giant breeds (Flemish Giant, Continental Giant) average 8-10. The pattern mirrors what we see in dogs — larger animals age faster — though the mechanism isn't as well studied in rabbits as it is in canines.
Diet: The Hay Equation
Unlimited timothy hay. That's the foundation of rabbit nutrition, and it's not negotiable. Hay provides the fiber rabbits need for gut motility, and the chewing action wears down their continuously growing teeth. Without it, teeth develop sharp spurs that lacerate the tongue and cheeks — a painful condition called dental spurs or malocclusion that requires anesthesia and filing under veterinary care.
The House Rabbit Society's feeding guidelines: unlimited timothy hay (about 80% of diet), a measured amount of pellets (roughly 1/4 cup per 5 lbs of body weight for adults), and 1-2 cups of leafy greens daily. Avoid iceberg lettuce (low nutritional value, can cause diarrhea), grains, seeds, and sugary treats. Alfalfa hay is appropriate for rabbits under 7 months but too rich for adults.
Source: House Rabbit Society; Rabbit Welfare Association dietary guidelines
Housing and Space
The old model of keeping a rabbit in a small cage is considered inhumane by modern veterinary standards. Rabbits need enough space to stand on their hind legs without touching the top, stretch out fully, and make at least three consecutive hops. A exercise pen (x-pen) or a dedicated rabbit-proofed room is the minimum.
Rabbits are crepuscular — most active at dawn and dusk — and need several hours of free-roaming time daily. A rabbit confined to a cage for 20 hours a day will develop skeletal problems, behavioral issues, and depression. The Rabbit Welfare Association recommends a minimum of 3-4 hours of exercise outside the cage daily.
Common Health Problems
Dental disease. The most common health issue in domestic rabbits. Prevention is hay. Treatment is expensive and requires anesthesia.
Gastrointestinal stasis (GI stasis). A potentially fatal slowdown of the gut. Symptoms include reduced or absent droppings, loss of appetite, and lethargy. It's a medical emergency, not a "wait and see" situation.
GI stasis. Often caused by poor diet, pain, or stress. The Rabbit Welfare Association lists it as the number one killer of pet rabbits.
Head tilt and ear infections. Common in lop-eared breeds due to ear canal structure. E. cuniculi, a parasite, can also cause neurological symptoms including head tilt.
Uterine cancer. Unspayed female rabbits have a roughly 60-80% chance of developing uterine cancer by age 4 (House Rabbit Society). Spaying eliminates this risk entirely and is recommended for all female rabbits not intended for breeding.
Finding a Rabbit-Savvy Vet
Not all vets treat rabbits. You need an exotic animal vet — one who has specific training and experience with lagomorphs. The House Rabbit Society maintains a directory of rabbit-savvy vets. Find one before you have an emergency. A rabbit in GI stasis at 2 AM with no vet who knows the species is a crisis you don't want.
Calculate Your Pet's Human Age
Enter your pet's age to see their human-age equivalent.