fur and age

Question
i have 2 rabbits a white one and cottentail the cotentail is about 3years old.she is a sweet rabbit but if we've had her since 2005 do you think her life is not going to last longer? also , my other one is young but he has been sheding a LOT is this harmful ? his fur is coming our quickly and in big clumps ? love ali

Answer
Hi Ali,

a rabbit's lifespan is dependent on a lot of factors.  Whether they are kept indoors or out.  If they are fed a poor diet or a proper diet.  If they are fed too much, too little or the right amounts.  If they get proper medical care.  If the place they live is bunny-proofed properly.  If the rabbit has been fixed (neutered/spayed) or if the rabbit is intact.  Having a good rabbit vet and proper vet care, or not having a good rabbit vet.

Generally, an indoor house rabbit, fixed, and well taken care of and kept healthy, can live an average of 10-12 years.  Often they will live longer.  An outdoor hutch rabbit generally has an average life of 5 years.  Wild rabbits generally live about 2-3 years.

So you can see just how much good care can affect a rabbit's life.  Your little gal is only 3, if you take good care of her, she has a long, good life with you.

This is the fall season, when rabbits begin their fall shed.  The fall shed is a very heavy shed.  Generally rabbits shed 4 times a year; fall and spring are hard/heavy sheds, and winter/summer are light sheds.

Lee