Life Span of a Domestic Rabbit
One of the many things to consider before taking in a new pet is what that pet's typical life span is. When you take in a new animal you are ideally committing yourself to caring for that animal for the rest of it's life.
Wild rabbits only live, on average, 3 years or less. Predation, starvation, exposure to the elements, and many other factors often times play a part in shortening the lives of wild rabbits. However, if cared for properly, domestic pet rabbits live on average between 8 and 12 years. The rabbit with the longest life span on record lived to be 19 years old. So you see, domestic pet rabbits can enjoy a much longer life span than their wild cousins.
Some factors that may impact how long your rabbit lives includes:
- If they are fixed or not (spayed or neutered rabbits usually live longer than intact rabbits do)
- Diet
- Genetics
- Size (In general, the larger the rabbit is the shorter it's average life span will be)
- If they receive regular vet care or not
- Housing conditions
- General care
- Luck
It's common sense that, in general, the better you care for your furry friend the longer he or she will live. Rabbits should be spayed or neutered, and receive regular vet check ups just like a cat or dog should. Make sure to research and provide the proper diet and housing conditions before you take in any new pet. Do not purchase your new rabbit from a pet store or back yard breeder, instead consider adopting or purchasing from a responsible breeder. A good rabbit breeder will be able to provide you with information about your rabbit's genetic background. Make sure to always give your pet rabbit plenty of love and space to run and play in. With proper care, and a bit of luck, hopefully your rabbit will be around to enjoy life with you for many many years to come.