How Long Do Bunnies Live As Pets?
Are you one of those who wants to have a bunny as a pet? These carrot-munching creatures called domesticated pet rabbits are not the same as those wild cottontail rabbits you found in your backyard. As more people discovered the wonderful personalities of pet rabbits, their care helped improve the rabbit’s lifespan. You should know how long do bunnies live as a pet and what are the factors that affect the rabbit’s lifespan.
What Are the Factors to Determine How Long Bunnies Live as Pets?
We may know some rabbits are wild, but not all. Some rabbits are friendly, lovable, and clean animals. Rabbit as a pet requires preparation and commitment for many years.
The lifespan of domestic rabbits depends on different factors, such as the breeds of the rabbits. Proper care of your rabbits may add years to their existence. You may not pay much attention to how long do bunnies live as a pet, but it is also much more important.
The Factors to Determine How Long Do Bunnies Live as A Pet:
- Breed - Some breeds of rabbits live longer than others. It mainly depends on the size and propensity of each breed to develop certain health problems.
- Diet - Healthy and balanced diets can prolong the lifespan of the rabbits. Overweight and underweight bunnies are both likely to die younger than average.
- Environment - Your rabbit may fall victim to predators such as foxes when it lives outdoors. Take care of your indoor rabbits as it may chew electric cables or eat poisonous houseplants and more.
- Exercise - Your rabbits require a minimum of at least 3 hours of exercise per day. They need a lot of space and time to run around.
- Mental Health - Rabbits as known for being intelligent and social creatures. They also need toys and socialization to keep their mind stimulated. Rabbits can become depressed when bored or lonely. It may lead to self-destructive behaviors and premature death.
The domesticated rabbits can live between 8 years to 12 years, depending on their breed and lifestyle. Also, keeping your rabbit’s vaccinations up to date will help them prevent diseases and illnesses.
Top 6 Most Important Bunny Facts
Knowing how long do bunnies live as a pet is important, but you also have to know the top 10 facts about bunnies. The following are the top 10 most important bunny facts:
Bunnies Can’t Vomit
Rabbits cannot vomit because their digestive system is incapable of moving in reverse. Instead of producing hairballs like cats, rabbits deal with swallowed fur when they eat plenty of roughage that can push through their digestive tract.
Bunnies Don’t Eat Root Vegetables
As we all know, rabbits can’t live without carrots. In reality, rabbits don’t eat root vegetables such as carrots. They rather munch on greens like weeds and clovers. On the other hand, you can still give them some carrots as their snacks from time to time, but don’t overdo it. Carrots contain high sugar levels that can contribute to tooth decay in 11 percent of pet bunnies.
They Eat Their Poop
Yup, that is right! After digesting their meal, rabbits sometimes eat their poop and process it a second time. Healthy bunnies eat soft "cecotropes," nutrient-packed droppings that look like poop. It may sound gross, but droppings are one essential part of a rabbit's diet. Rabbits have a fast-moving digestive system. By redigesting their waste, they can absorb nutrients their bodies missed the first time around.
Kittens, the Baby Rabbit
You always thought that baby rabbits are called bunnies. It is one of our major misconceptions. The other word for the young rabbit is kits. The mature females are called does, while adult males are known as bucks.
Rabbits Groom Themselves
Rabbits are also one of the most hygienic pets, just like cats. The rabbits clean themselves by licking their fur and paws throughout the day.
360 Degrees Vision
You know that it is tough to sneak up on a rabbit. Rabbits have covered 360 degrees that allow them to see what is coming from behind them and around them. On the other hand, rabbits have small blind spots directly in front of their faces.
Conclusion
Remember that bringing rabbits to your home requires preparation and knowledge. You should also know what the top 6 most important facts about the rabbits are and how long do bunnies live as a pet. Most of us know what to expect when we have a cat or dog as a pet, but caring for rabbits is not something we usually know.