The average lifespan of a Dutch rabbit is around 5. Outdoor housed rabbits around 2 to 3 years.
Consider a strong enough predator safe rabbit hutch.
How long do bunnies live as pets outdoors. Rabbits just like other domesticated animals have an average lifespan which can help an owner keep their bunny in optimum health in every stage of life. Unlike their wild relatives who live for an average of one to two years domesticated rabbits can live between eight to 12 years. This is because they are not exposed to disease food scarcity and predators.
Now the lifespan is around 8 to 12 years or even more in some cases. This also reflects the evolution made in diet and veterinary care. House pet rabbit around 10 years.
Outdoor housed rabbits around 2 to 3 years. Wild rabbits 1 to 2 years. Its lifespan will be determined by the care and attention you give it while it is under your care.
For instance a well cared for bunny that has been kept indoors and one that has neutered or spayed can live for many years ranging from 8-12 years. What is more a domesticated rabbit can even live to see its teenage years in some instances. Weve seen people say they let their baby rabbit out after two weeks while others have said three months.
The one prevailing thing among all of them however is the way they introduce their young rabbits to the outside. Firstly you still need a run or a pen where your rabbit will be safely enclosed and have enough space to roam around. Domesticated pet rabbits can live outside all year round only if they are kept under a shed to prevent them from direct sunlight exposure and cover up the hutch with a tarpaulin during night time.
Consider a strong enough predator safe rabbit hutch. Very rarely did a rabbit live longer. Once we domesticated them their life span increased to about 6-8 years living outdoors in a backyard or such.
And about 30 years ago when the House Rabbit Society started to introduce them as indoor animalspets only their life span was noted to last 8-12 years. Our rabbits can happily live indoors or outdoors but as the weather gets cooler you might have a few questions about moving your furry friends inside to escape the elements. We might see rabbits as traditionally outdoors pets but just like any other pet they feel the cold and can suffer in bad weather if they dont have the right home to live in.
Obviously in the wild rabbits do live outside. In fact they live outside the entirety of the year. They do not hibernate.
Rain sleet or shine they are going to be out there scavenging for food. Decide if your rabbit should stay outdoors at all. Traditionally pet rabbits have often been kept outside in a pen or hutch And since you see wild bunnies hopping around all the time you may assume that your pet will do fine outside as well.
But there are many factors to consider. As stated if a Dutch rabbit has the perfect living conditions and well cared for it can live from anywhere between 5-8 years. The average lifespan of a Dutch rabbit is around 5.
Wild European rabbits live for 1 to 2 years. But pet rabbits live longer as they arent at risk from predators or disease. Well-cared-for medium-sized rabbits can live for 10 years.
Larger rabbits such as Flemish giants usually dont live past 8 or 9. Outdoor rabbits are also more likely to come into contact with predators and bacteria from harmful diseases. They can get fleas and get ear mites.
Or they can be bitten by ticks and mosquitoes that can spread some deadly rabbit diseases. All of this put together an outdoor rabbits life expectancy falls to 3-5 years. Significantly less than that of an indoor rabbit.
While the average lifespan of a pet rabbit is about 5-10 years old certain breeds of pet rabbits are known to live longer than others. Just like dogs miniature or dwarf breeds of rabbits tend to live longer than giant breeds. These occur primarily at night but can also happen occasionally in the daytime.
Hutches or cages do not provide enough protection to make it safe to leave the rabbit outdoors 24 hours a day. The House Rabbit Society receives many calls every week from baffled people whose rabbit died during the night while confined in a hutch. Rabbits are ready to live outside after twelve weeks.
Be sure your rabbit is healthy hopping around curiously. Some breeders sell rabbits right after their weaned but that might be too young for a rabbit to live outside. Give Your Outdoor Rabbit A Big Enough Hutch.
Firstly youll need to look at where you rabbits will live a lot of the time. This should be a secure space where they can eat sleep or hide if they are scared. Their home base area needs to be at least 10 ft x 6 ft x 3ft 3m x 2m x 1m for a pair of bunnies though this is.
In general wild cottontail rabbits Sylvilagus spp have a lifespan of about one yearpossibly three if theyre very very clever. If a domestic rabbit that is set free survives for a year its due to sheer luck. Most people have their hearts in the right place but they arent banking on those odds when they turn their rabbit loose.
Rabbits only live a year or two so no long commitment is necessary. Well cared-for indoor rabbits can live 7-10 years and some live into their teens. This is approximately the same life span as some breeds of dogs and requires the same long-term commitment.
Rabbits do not need veterinary care the way dogs and cats do.