The domestic rabbit (''Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus'') is the

domesticated Domestication is a multi-generational mutualistic relationship in which an animal species, such as humans or leafcutter ants, takes over control and care of another species, such as sheep or fungi, to obtain from them a steady supply of reso ...

form of the

European rabbit The European rabbit (''Oryctolagus cuniculus'') or coney is a species of rabbit native to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal and Andorra) and southwestern France. It is the only extant species in the genus ''Oryctolagus''. The European rab ...

, a member of the

lagomorph The lagomorphs () are the members of the taxonomic order Lagomorpha, of which there are two living families: the Leporidae (rabbits and hares) and the Ochotonidae ( pikas). There are 110 recent species of lagomorph, of which 109 species in t ...

order. A male rabbit is known as a ''buck,'' a female as a ''doe,'' and a young rabbit as a ''kit''. There are hundreds of

rabbit breeds As of 2017, there were at least 305 breeds of the domestic rabbit in 70 countries around the world raised for in the Agriculture, agricultural practice of Selective breeding, breeding and raising domestic rabbits as livestock for their value in m ...

, originating from all over the world. Rabbits were first domesticated and used for their food and fur by the Romans. Rabbits may be housed inside, but the idea of the domestic rabbit as a house companion, a so-called ''house rabbit'' (similar to a house cat), was only strongly promoted starting with publications in the 1980s. Rabbits can be trained to use a

litter box A litter box, also known as a sandbox, cat box, litter tray, cat pan, potty, pot, or litter pan, is an indoor feces and urine collection box for cats, as well as Domestic rabbit, rabbits, ferrets, miniature pigs, small dogs, and other pets that ...

and taught to come when called, but they require exercise and can damage a house or injure themselves if it has not been suitably prepared, based on their innate need to chew. Accidental interactions between pet rabbits and wild rabbits, while seemingly harmless, are strongly discouraged due to the species' different temperaments as well as wild rabbits potentially carrying diseases. Unwanted pet rabbits sometimes end up in

animal shelter An animal shelter or pound is a place where stray, lost, abandoned or surrendered animals – mostly dogs and cats – are housed. The word "pound" has its origins in the animal pounds of the agricultural communities, where stray livestock w ...

s, especially after the Easter season. In 2017, they were the United States' third most abandoned pet. Some of them go on to be adopted and become family pets in various forms. Because their wild counterparts have become invasive in Australia, pet rabbits are banned in the state of

Queensland Queensland ( , commonly abbreviated as Qld) is a States and territories of Australia, state in northeastern Australia, and is the second-largest and third-most populous state in Australia. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Austr ...

. Domestic rabbits — bred for generations under human supervision to be docile — lack survival instincts, and perish in the wild if they are abandoned or escape from captivity. Domestic rabbits are raised as livestock for their meat, wool (in the case of the Angora breeds) and/or fur. They are also kept as pets and used as laboratory animals. Specific breeds are used in different industries; Rex rabbits, for example, are commonly raised for their fur, Californians are commonly raised for meat and New Zealands are commonly used in

animal testing Animal testing, also known as animal experimentation, animal research, and ''in vivo'' testing, is the use of animals, as model organisms, in experiments that seek answers to scientific and medical questions. This approach can be contrasted ...

for their nearly identical appearance. Aside from the commercial or pet application, rabbits are commonly raised for

exhibition An exhibition, in the most general sense, is an organized presentation and display of a selection of items. In practice, exhibitions usually occur within a cultural or educational setting such as a museum, art gallery, park, library, exhibiti ...

at shows.

Terminology and etymology

Male rabbits are called ''bucks''; females are called ''does''. An older term for an adult rabbit is ''coney'', while ''rabbit'' once referred only to the young animals. Another term for a young rabbit is ''bunny'', though this term is often applied informally (especially by children and rabbit enthusiasts) to rabbits generally, especially domestic ones. More recently, the term ''kit'' or ''kitten'' has been used to refer to a young rabbit. A young

hare Hares and jackrabbits are mammals belonging to the genus ''Lepus''. They are herbivores and live Solitary animal, solitarily or in pairs. They nest in slight depressions called forms, and their young are precociality, able to fend for themselves ...

is called a ''leveret''; this term is sometimes informally applied to a young rabbit as well. A group of rabbits is known as a "colony" or a "nest". The word rabbit itself derives from the

Middle English Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman Conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English pe ...

, a borrowing from the Walloon , which was a diminutive of the French or

Middle Dutch Middle Dutch is a collective name for a number of closely related West Germanic dialects whose ancestor was Old Dutch. It was spoken and written between 1150 and 1500. Until the advent of Modern Dutch after 1500 or , there was no overarching sta ...

History

Phoenicia Phoenicians were an Ancient Semitic-speaking peoples, ancient Semitic group of people who lived in the Phoenician city-states along a coastal strip in the Levant region of the eastern Mediterranean, primarily modern Lebanon and the Syria, Syrian ...

sailor A sailor, seaman, mariner, or seafarer is a person who works aboard a watercraft as part of its crew, and may work in any one of a number of different fields that are related to the operation and maintenance of a ship. While the term ''sailor'' ...

s visiting the coast of

Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...

c. 12th century BC, mistaking the rabbit for a species from their homeland (the

rock hyrax The rock hyrax (; ''Procavia capensis''), also called dassie, Cape hyrax, rock rabbit, and (from some interpretations of a word used in the King James Bible) coney, is a medium-sized terrestrial mammal native to Africa and the Middle East. Common ...

''Procavia capensis''), gave the region the name ''i-shepan-ham'' (land or island of hyraxes). The spread of the European rabbit from its native range of the

Iberian Peninsula The Iberian Peninsula ( ), also known as Iberia, is a peninsula in south-western Europe. Mostly separated from the rest of the European landmass by the Pyrenees, it includes the territories of peninsular Spain and Continental Portugal, comprisin ...

is linked to the deliberate introduction of the species to Africa by the Phoenicians around this time period, followed by later introductions to the regions of

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

, and

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

by various seafaring groups. The captivity of rabbits as a food source is recorded as early as the 1st century BC, when the Roman writer

Pliny the Elder Gaius Plinius Secundus (AD 23/24 79), known in English as Pliny the Elder ( ), was a Roman Empire, Roman author, Natural history, naturalist, and naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and a friend of the Roman emperor, emperor Vesp ...

described the use of rabbit hutches, along with enclosures called ''leporaria''. In Rome, rabbits were raised in large walled colonies with walls extended underground. According to Pliny, the consumption of unborn and newborn rabbits, called laurices, was considered a

delicacy A delicacy is a rare food item that is considered highly desirable, sophisticated, or peculiarly distinctive within a given culture or region. A delicacy may have an unusual flavor or be expensive compared to everyday foods. Delicacies va ...

. In the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ...

, wild rabbits were often kept for the hunt.

Monk A monk (; from , ''monachos'', "single, solitary" via Latin ) is a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monastery. A monk usually lives his life in prayer and contemplation. The concept is ancient and can be seen in many reli ...

s in southern France were crossbreeding rabbits at least by the 12th century AD. This was thought to have occurred as early as 600 AD in order to provide a 'meat substitute' for the monks during

lent Lent (, 'Fortieth') is the solemn Christianity, Christian religious moveable feast#Lent, observance in the liturgical year in preparation for Easter. It echoes the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring Temptation of Christ, t ...

, which is a Christian observance in which one must refrain from eating meat. Domestication was probably a slow process that took place from the Roman period (or earlier) until the 1500s, around which point rabbit was a meat served as a luxury. Women hunting rabbits with a ferret

In the 19th century, as

animal fancy Animal fancy is a hobby involving the appreciation, promotion, or breeding of pet or domestic animals. Fancy may include ownership, showing, animal sports and other competitions, and breeding. Hobbyists may simply collect specimens of the anima ...

in general began to emerge, rabbit fanciers began to sponsor rabbit exhibitions and fairs in

Western Europe Western Europe is the western region of Europe. The region's extent varies depending on context. The concept of "the West" appeared in Europe in juxtaposition to "the East" and originally applied to the Western half of the ancient Mediterranean ...

and the United States. Breeds of various domesticated animals were created and modified for the added purpose of

, a departure from the breeds that had been created solely for food, fur, or

wool Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and other mammals, especially goats, rabbits, and camelids. The term may also refer to inorganic materials, such as mineral wool and glass wool, that have some properties similar to animal w ...

. The rabbit's emergence as a household pet began during the

Victorian era In the history of the United Kingdom and the British Empire, the Victorian era was the reign of Queen Victoria, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. Slightly different definitions are sometimes used. The era followed the ...

. The keeping of the rabbit as a pet commencing from the 1800s coincides with the first observable skeletal differences between the wild and domestic populations, even though captive rabbits had been exploited for over 2,000 years. The emerging domestic rabbit subspecies, all breeds of which have been derived from the European rabbit (''Oryctolagus cuniculus''), has been popular in the United States since the late 19th century. What became known as the "Belgian Hare Boom" began with the importation of the first Belgian Hares from England in 1888 and, soon after, the founding of the American Belgian Hare Association, the first rabbit club in America. From 1898 to 1901, many thousands of Belgian Hares were imported to America. Today, the Belgian Hare is one of the rarest breeds, with only 132 specimens found in the United States in a 2015 census. Rabbits as house companions began appearing with frequency in the late 19th century. The most notable documentation is from Beatrix Potter's published diaries and letters. Potter allowed both rabbits to live at least part time in the house with her. "Both were fond of the fire, and one used to lie inside the fender", and one rabbit slept, "under the grate on the hot ashes when the fire had gone out." The publication of Marinell Harriman's ''House Rabbit Handbook: How to Live with an Urban Rabbit'' in 1985 was another significant push towards the popularization of rabbits as indoor pets.

Biology

Genetics

The study of rabbit genetics is of interest to fanciers, the fiber and fur industry, medical researchers, and the

meat industry The meat industry are the people and companies engaged in modern industrialized livestock agriculture for the production, packing, preservation and marketing of meat (in contrast to dairy products, wool, etc.). In economics, the meat industry is ...

. Among rabbit fanciers, the genetics of rabbit health and diversity are paramount. The fiber & fur industry focuses on the genetics of coat color and hair properties. In the biomedical research community and the pharmaceutical industry, rabbit genetics are important in

model organism A model organism is a non-human species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological phenomena, with the expectation that discoveries made in the model organism will provide insight into the workings of other organisms. Mo ...

research,

in vitro fertilization In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a process of fertilisation in which an egg is combined with sperm in vitro ("in glass"). The process involves monitoring and stimulating the ovulatory process, then removing an ovum or ova (egg or eggs) from ...

, and toxicity testing. The meat industry mainly relies on genetics for

feed conversion ratio In animal husbandry, feed conversion ratio (FCR) or feed conversion rate is a ratio or rate measuring of the efficiency with which the bodies of livestock convert animal feed into the desired output. For dairy cows, for example, the output is milk ...

s and reproduction potential in rabbits. The rabbit genome has been sequenced and is publicly available. The

mitochondrial DNA Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA and mDNA) is the DNA located in the mitochondrion, mitochondria organelles in a eukaryotic cell that converts chemical energy from food into adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Mitochondrial DNA is a small portion of the D ...

has also been sequenced. In 2011, parts of the rabbit genome were re-sequenced in greater depth in order to expose variation within the genome. File:American_Grand_Champion_Dutch_Rabbit.jpg, File:Lapin_Japonais.jpg, File:Broken Mini Rex.JPG, File:Eithel, black Silver Fox doe.jpg, There are 7 main color

gene In biology, the word gene has two meanings. The Mendelian gene is a basic unit of heredity. The molecular gene is a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that is transcribed to produce a functional RNA. There are two types of molecular genes: protei ...

groups (or loci) in rabbits, with an additional 4 uncommon loci that are often breed specific; many other genes exist that influence coat color to a lesser degree. A rabbit's coat has either two

pigment A pigment is a powder used to add or alter color or change visual appearance. Pigments are completely or nearly solubility, insoluble and reactivity (chemistry), chemically unreactive in water or another medium; in contrast, dyes are colored sub ...

s (pheomelanin for yellow, and eumelanin for dark brown) or no pigment (for an

albino Albinism is the congenital absence of melanin in an animal or plant resulting in white hair, feathers, scales and skin and reddish pink or blue eyes. Individuals with the condition are referred to as albinos. Varied use and interpretation of ...

rabbit). Clusters of color genes plus their

modifiers In linguistics, a modifier is an optional element in phrase structure or clause structure which ''modifies'' the meaning of another element in the structure. For instance, the adjective "red" acts as a modifier in the noun phrase "red ball", provi ...

control such aspects as coat patterns (e.g. ''Dutch'' or ''English'' markings), color hues and their intensity or dilution, and the location of color bands on the hair shaft (e.g., silvering).

Diet

As a refinement of the diet of the wild rabbit, the diet of the domestic rabbit is often a function of its purpose. Show rabbits are fed for vibrant health, strong musculoskeletal systems, and—like rabbits intended for the fur trade—optimal coat production and condition. Rabbits intended for the meat trade are fed for swift and efficient production of flesh, while rabbits in research settings have closely controlled diets for specific goals. Nutritional needs of the domestic rabbit may also be focused on developing a physique that allows for the safe delivery of larger litters of healthy kits. Optimizing costs and producing feces that meet local waste regulations may also be factors. Hay is an essential part of the diet of all rabbits and it is a major component of the commercial food pellets that are formulated for domestic rabbits and available in many areas. Most rabbit pellets are

alfalfa Alfalfa () (''Medicago sativa''), also called lucerne, is a perennial plant, perennial flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. It is used for grazing, hay, ...

-based for protein and fiber, with other grains completing the carbohydrate requirements. Minerals and vitamins are added during production of rabbit pellets to meet the nutritional requirements of the domestic rabbit. Along with pellets, many commercial rabbit raisers also feed one or more types of loose hay; alfalfa in particular is used for the growth needs of young rabbits, though it may be too high in protein and

calcium Calcium is a chemical element; it has symbol Ca and atomic number 20. As an alkaline earth metal, calcium is a reactive metal that forms a dark oxide-nitride layer when exposed to air. Its physical and chemical properties are most similar to it ...

for adult rabbits. Common sources of hay for rabbits include bluegrass, brome,

fescue ''Festuca'' (fescue) is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the grass family Poaceae (subfamily Pooideae). They are evergreen or herbaceous perennial tufted grasses with a height range of and a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring on every ...

, marsh, orchard, timothy, oat and

ryegrass ''Lolium'' is a genus of tufted grasses in the bluegrass subfamily (Pooideae). It is often called ryegrass, but this term is sometimes used to refer to grasses in other genera. They are characterized by bunch-like growth habits. ''Lolium'' ...

Reproduction

Rabbits are prolific breeders, in part because rabbits reach breeding age quickly. To prevent unwanted offspring, rabbits may be spayed or neutered at sexual maturity. Sexual maturity is determined as the point at which the production rate of

spermatozoa A spermatozoon (; also spelled spermatozoön; : spermatozoa; ) is a motile sperm cell (biology), cell produced by male animals relying on internal fertilization. A spermatozoon is a moving form of the ploidy, haploid cell (biology), cell that is ...

stops increasing, which ranges based on the size of the breed: 4–5 months for small breeds (e.g., Mini Rex, Netherland Dwarf), 4–6 months for medium-sized breeds (e.g., Rex, New Zealand), and 5–8 months for large breeds (e.g., Flemish Giant). Bucks usually require more time to sexually mature than does.

Health

Rabbit health is a well-studied area in

veterinary medicine Veterinary medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, management, medical diagnosis, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, disorder, and injury in non-human animals. The scope of veterinary medicine is wide, covering all a ...

, owing to the long history of rabbit domestication and the use of rabbits as laboratory animals. In pet rabbits, disease is rare when raised in sanitary conditions and provided with adequate care. Rabbits have fragile bones, especially in their

spine Spine or spinal may refer to: Science Biology * Spinal column, also known as the backbone * Dendritic spine, a small membranous protrusion from a neuron's dendrite * Thorns, spines, and prickles, needle-like structures in plants * Spine (zoology), ...

s, and need support on the bottom when they are picked up. In domestic rabbits, a significant concern is that they will gnaw on almost anything, including electrical cords (possibly leading to

electrocution Electrocution is death or severe injury caused by electric shock from electric current passing through the body. The word is derived from "electro" and "execution", but it is also used for accidental death. The term "electrocution" was coined ...

), potentially poisonous plants, and material like carpet and fabric that may cause life-threatening intestinal blockages. A differently formatted version is also availabl
here
. Domestic practices that are associated with adverse health effects in rabbits include

spaying Neutering, from the Latin ('of neither sex'), is the removal of a non-human animal's reproductive organ, either all of it or a considerably large part. The male-specific term is castration, while spaying is usually reserved for female animals. Co ...

females, declawing, and improper housing leading to sore hocks and stress. Domestic rabbits, like wild rabbits, are also susceptible to viral diseases such as myxomatosis, rabbit hemorrhagic disease, and

West Nile virus West Nile virus (WNV) is a single-stranded RNA virus that causes West Nile fever. It is a member of the family ''Flaviviridae'', from the genus ''Flavivirus'', which also contains the Zika virus, dengue virus, and yellow fever virus. The virus ...

, and

vaccination Vaccination is the administration of a vaccine to help the immune system develop immunity from a disease. Vaccines contain a microorganism or virus in a weakened, live or killed state, or proteins or toxins from the organism. In stimulating ...

is not required or possible for these diseases in all jurisdictions.

Breeds

As of 2017, there were at least 305 breeds of domestic rabbit in 70 countries around the world. The

American Rabbit Breeders Association The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) is a national club for domestic rabbits and cavy breeders. The ARBA is headquartered in Knox, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Its membership is composed of rabbit and cavy exhibitors, commer ...

currently recognizes 52 rabbit breeds and the

British Rabbit Council The British Rabbit Council (BRC) is an organisation for rabbit enthusiasts in the United Kingdom. Rabbits are the UK's third most popular pet. History The British Rabbit Council was formed in 1934 when the British Rabbit Society and the National ...

recognizes 106.

Selective breeding Selective breeding (also called artificial selection) is the process by which humans use animal breeding and plant breeding to selectively develop particular phenotypic traits (characteristics) by choosing which typically animal or plant m ...

has produced rabbits ranging in size from dwarf to giant. Across the world, rabbits are raised as

livestock Livestock are the Domestication, domesticated animals that are raised in an Agriculture, agricultural setting to provide labour and produce diversified products for consumption such as meat, Egg as food, eggs, milk, fur, leather, and wool. The t ...

(in cuniculture) for their meat, pelts, and wool, and also by fanciers and hobbyists as pets. Rabbits have been selectively bred since ancient times to achieve certain desired characteristics. Variations include size and body shape, coat type (including hair length and texture), coat color, ear carriage (erect or lop), and ear length. As with any animal, domesticated rabbits' temperaments vary in such factors as energy level and novelty seeking. Many genetic defects in the domestic rabbit (such as dental problems in the Holland Lop breed) are due to recessive genes. Genetics are carefully tracked by fanciers who show rabbits, to breed out defects. File:Mixed netherland dwarf mutt.jpg, A mixed Netherlands Dwarf mutt rabbit File:A sleeping white spotted holland lop.jpg, A sleeping white spotted Holland lop File:5 weeks old bunny of unknown breed.jpg, 5 weeks old domesticated bunny of unknown breed File:A grey holland lop rabbit.jpg, A grey Holland lop rabbit File:A brown domesticated rabbit.jpg, A brown domesticated Netherlands dwarf crossbreed File:Black white domesticated rabbit; unknown breed.jpg, An elderly black and white domesticated rabbit of unknown breed

As pets

Rabbits have been kept as

pet A pet, or companion animal, is an animal kept primarily for a person's company or entertainment rather than as a working animal, livestock, or a laboratory animal. Popular pets are often considered to have attractive/ cute appearances, inte ...

s in Western nations since the 19th century. Rabbits can bond with humans, and can learn to follow simple voice commands and to come when called. Rabbits are easily injured by rough handling, can bite when hurt or frightened, and are easily frightened by loud noises and sudden motions, which has caused them to be discouraged for use as pets for children. With the right guidance, rabbits can be trained to live indoors. Rabbits are especially popular as pets in the United States during the

Easter Easter, also called Pascha ( Aramaic: פַּסְחָא , ''paskha''; Greek: πάσχα, ''páskha'') or Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in t ...

season, due to their association with the holiday. However,

s that accept rabbits often complain that during the weeks and months following Easter, there is a rise in unwanted and neglected rabbits that were bought as Easter gifts, especially for children. Similar problems arise in rural areas after

county fair An agricultural show is a public event exhibiting the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. The largest comprise a livestock show (a judged event or display in which breeding stock is exhib ...

s and the like, even in jurisdictions where animals are not legal as prizes in fairground games. There are many humane societies,

s, and rescue groups that have rabbits available for

pet adoption Pet adoption is the process of transferring responsibility for a pet. Common sources for adoptable pets are animal shelters, rescue groups, or other pet owners. Some organizations give adopters ownership of the pet, while others use a guardi ...

Fancy Fancy may refer to: Music Albums * ''Fancy'' (Bobbie Gentry album), 1970 * ''Fancy'' (Idiot Flesh album), 1997 * ''Fancy'' (video), a 2007 video album by Les Claypool Songs * "Fancy" (Bobbie Gentry song), 1969, covered by Reba McEntire in 19 ...

rabbit breeds are often purchased from pet stores, private breeders, and fanciers. Breed availability varies based on geographic distribution, with some breeds being more popular in different countries or regions. Because of the destructive history of feral rabbits in Australia, domestic rabbits are illegal as pets in

House rabbits

Rabbits may be kept inside as small pets. Rabbits that live indoors are less exposed to the dangers of

predator Predation is a biological interaction in which one organism, the predator, kills and eats another organism, its prey. It is one of a family of common List of feeding behaviours, feeding behaviours that includes parasitism and micropredation ...

parasites Parasitism is a close relationship between species, where one organism, the parasite, lives (at least some of the time) on or inside another organism, the host, causing it some harm, and is adapted structurally to this way of life. The en ...

, diseases, adverse weather, and

pesticide Pesticides are substances that are used to control pests. They include herbicides, insecticides, nematicides, fungicides, and many others (see table). The most common of these are herbicides, which account for approximately 50% of all p ...

s, which in turn increases their lifespan. Cages are generally too small for most rabbits to live comfortablyeven laboratory rabbits require significant space and enrichmentand rabbit welfare groups recommend that instead of a cage, domestic rabbits free-roam. The House Rabbit Society recommends "rabbit-proofing" areas to reduce the risks associated with their intrinsic need to chew. Along with their chewing instincts, Rabbits inherit burrowing behaviors from their wild counterparts that may need be addressed by their owner(s). Rabbits are easily litter box trained. Pet rabbits express their emotions in varying ways, such as a movement known as a 'binky' or 'binkying' when happy, or 'thumping' their hind legs when upset. Openlitterbox

Bonding

Rabbits are social animals and will bond with other rabbits in or around their territory. Rabbit welfare groups encourage owners to make efforts towards bonding rabbits as part of normal socialization, which usually involves carefully supervised meetings between rabbits on neutral territory. This helps minimize territorial aggression and allows the rabbits to establish a hierarchy. Over time, rabbits learn to tolerate each other's presence, form a social bond, and engage in vital social behaviors such as grooming, playing, and snuggling. Two bonded rabbit pair sitting together

During bonding, as rabbits become more comfortable with each other's presence, they often engage in mutual grooming sessions. When rabbit bonds break, it can have detrimental effects on their physical and emotional well-being. Rabbits are highly social animals, and sudden separation from a bonded partner can cause stress and anxiety. This stress can lead to health issues, such as gastrointestinal problems, reduced appetite, and a weakened immune system. Additionally, the sudden absence of a grooming partner can result in neglected fur, making the rabbit more susceptible to matting and skin issues. Owners should only attempt to bond spayed/neutered rabbits to prevent unwanted pregnancies and as their hormones can make bonding difficult and potentially dangerous.

Dog The dog (''Canis familiaris'' or ''Canis lupus familiaris'') is a domesticated descendant of the gray wolf. Also called the domestic dog, it was selectively bred from a population of wolves during the Late Pleistocene by hunter-gatherers. ...

s and

cat The cat (''Felis catus''), also referred to as the domestic cat or house cat, is a small domesticated carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species of the family Felidae. Advances in archaeology and genetics have shown that the ...

s pose a threat to rabbits unless trained and properly managed, and will not bond the same way rabbits will with each other. Rabbits are not compatible with

birds Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class (biology), class Aves (), characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the Oviparity, laying of Eggshell, hard-shelled eggs, a high Metabolism, metabolic rate, a fou ...

guinea pig The guinea pig or domestic guinea pig (''Cavia porcellus''), also known as the cavy or domestic cavy ( ), is a species of rodent belonging to the genus ''Cavia'', family Caviidae. Animal fancy, Breeders tend to use the name "cavy" for the ani ...

s despite the fact they used to be kept together commonly in the past.

Care

Not all veterinarians will treat rabbits, and pet owners may have to seek out an exotic animal veterinarian for their rabbit's care. Rabbits may hide signs of illness or disease, and literature published on the care of house rabbits recommends owners to regularly schedule veterinary checkups to identify hidden issues. Works on rabbit care also advise regular nail trimming, coat brushing and items to chew on. Baby rabbits under eight weeks old are susceptible to

enteritis Enteritis is inflammation of the small intestine. It is most commonly caused by food or drink contaminated with pathogenic microbes,Dugdale, David C., IIII, and George F Longretc"Enteritis" MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, 18 October 2008. Acces ...

, along with gut stasis and bloat. Pet rabbits can often exhibit behavioral problems, including aggression towards humans and other animals, particularly with poor husbandry. Rabbits may or may not react favorably to handling and petting, depending on their personality and how they were raised. Rabbit owners can seek behavioral help through their vets and rabbit behaviorists. Rabbit skeletons are light and fragile in comparison to their bodies, and are susceptible to trauma from falling, twisting and kicking. Improper handling of rabbits can lead to injury both to the rabbit and the owner. Rabbits also have needs that differ from other common household pets, which can lead to poor quality of life for the animal if their owners are unaware of these needs and often results in rabbits being returned to animal shelters. Inappropriate treatment of a rabbit can include inadequate diet, housing, or socialization. Rabbits also have a body language that is more subtle than that of common domestic pets, such as

s and

dog The dog (''Canis familiaris'' or ''Canis lupus familiaris'') is a domesticated descendant of the gray wolf. Also called the domestic dog, it was selectively bred from a population of wolves during the Late Pleistocene by hunter-gatherers. ...

s, and compared to these species are prey animals rather than predators, which poses different challenges to a potential owner. The diet of a pet rabbit is variable and differs from that of wild rabbits, which may have to consume lower-quality food items such as twigs and shrubs to survive. Publications on the care of house rabbits advise various diets based on age in order to ensure the longevity of a pet.

Housing

Rabbits can live outdoors in properly constructed, sheltered enclosures, which provide protection from the elements in winter and keep rabbits cool in summer heat. To protect from predators, rabbit enclosures are usually situated in,

shed A shed is typically a simple, single-storey (though some sheds may have two or more stories and or a loft) roofed structure, often used for storage, for hobby, hobbies, or as a workshop, and typically serving as outbuilding, such as in a bac ...

barn A barn is an agricultural building usually on farms and used for various purposes. In North America, a barn refers to structures that house livestock, including cattle and horses, as well as equipment and fodder, and often grain.Allen G ...

, or other enclosed

structure A structure is an arrangement and organization of interrelated elements in a material object or system, or the object or system so organized. Material structures include man-made objects such as buildings and machines and natural objects such as ...

, which may also contain a larger

pen PEN may refer to: * (National Ecological Party), former name of the Brazilian political party Patriota (PATRI) * PEN International, a worldwide association of writers ** English PEN, the founding centre of PEN International ** PEN America, located ...

for exercise. It is recommended that a pair of average size rabbits are kept in an area of at least 3m x 2m by 1m high. Outdoor housing arrangements in hutches or unsupervised periods when rabbits are outdoors, even when properly secured, may still pose hazards such as temperature extremes, lack of social interaction between rabbits, and disease from digging in soil.

Shows

Much like

conformation show A dog show is an animal show; it is an event where dogs are exhibited. A conformation show, also referred to as a '' breed show'', is a kind of dog show in which a judge, familiar with a specific dog breed, evaluates individual purebred dogs ...

s for dog breeds and

cat show A cat show is a judged event where the owners of cats compete to win titles in various cat registering organizations by entering their cats to be judged after a breed standard. Both pedigree (cat), pedigreed and companion (or moggy) cats are admi ...

s for pedigreed cats, rabbits can be exhibited at rabbit shows, where they may be judged based on breed standards. Some argue rabbit shows are unethical as they involve transporting and caging the animals in stressful conditions. Most rabbit shows are organized or sanctioned by the

(ARBA), which recognizes 52 breeds in its ''Standard of Perfection 2021–2025''. However, rabbit shows have been organized by various groups since at least the 19th century. Show rabbits are judged based on physical conformation to a published breed standard, and may separately include a behavioral or "showmanship" assessment. Important criteria in rabbit judging include coat condition, body shape, ear length and toenail condition.

Show jumping

Rabbit show jumping, a form of animal sport between rabbits, began in the 1970s in

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east. At , Sweden is the largest Nordic count ...

and has since become popular in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

and

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

. When rabbit jumping was first starting out, the rules of competition were the same as horse show jumping rules. However, rules were later changed to reflect a rabbit's abilities. The first national championship for rabbit show jumping was held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1987. Today some argue that rabbit show jumping is unethical.

Abandonment

Many pet rabbits are abandoned by their owners, especially those purchased as " Easter bunnies". In 2017, they were the United States' third most abandoned pet. Rabbits are also frequently abandoned or relinquished to shelters due to challenges with rabbit housing, behavioral issues, or simply a loss of interest in the pet. Some of these abandoned pets are adopted and go on to become family pets in various forms. As domestic rabbits have been bred to be docile compared to wild rabbits, they will be less able to care or fend for themselves should they be abandoned, or if they escape into the wild.

Human uses

Rabbits have been kept as

since ancient times for their meat, and in modern times have been raised for wool, fur, and use in scientific research as laboratory animals.

Meat rabbits

Rabbits have been raised for commercial meat production in various parts of the world since at least the early 1900s. Intensive efforts to efficiently farm rabbits for meat began in the 1920s in southern

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

, and developed through the use of techniques such as

artificial insemination Artificial insemination is the deliberate introduction of sperm into a female's cervix or uterine cavity for the purpose of achieving a pregnancy through in vivo fertilization by means other than sexual intercourse. It is a fertility treatment ...

in addition to the general advancement of rabbit veterinary medicine, nutritional needs and disease control. Breeds such as the

New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...

and Californian are frequently utilized for meat in commercial rabbitries. These breeds have efficient

metabolism Metabolism (, from ''metabolē'', "change") is the set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms. The three main functions of metabolism are: the conversion of the energy in food to energy available to run cellular processes; the co ...

s and grow quickly; they are ready for slaughter by approximately 14 to 16 weeks of age. The main consumer of rabbit meat in the world was China, as of 2017, though the production of rabbit meat in China has decreased by 33.8% from 2010 to 2020, and global production has decreased by 24.1% over the same period. Rabbit fryers are the most common type of rabbit sold for meat, and make up more than 85% of the market share. They are raised to roughly 2 months of age, and weigh between live weight. Rabbit roasters, stewers and "mature rabbits" make up a less defined category with a smaller portion of the market share. They generally have a live weight of over and are raised to over 6 months of age. Stewers have been additionally described as rabbits weighing over and as a category marketed at a lower price than fryers. Some rabbit farmers opt to sell the skins of slaughtered rabbits to supplement income; the skins of meat rabbits may be dried with heat alone and are often sold without tanning.

Wool rabbits

Rabbits such as the Angora, American Fuzzy Lop, and Jersey Wooly produce

. However, since the American Fuzzy Lop and Jersey Wooly are both dwarf breeds, only the much larger Angora breeds such as the English Angora, Satin Angora, Giant Angora, and French Angoras are used for commercial wool production. Their long fur is sheared,

comb A comb is a tool consisting of a shaft that holds a row of teeth for pulling through the hair to clean, untangle, or style it. Combs have been used since prehistoric times, having been discovered in very refined forms from settlements dating ba ...

ed, or plucked (gently pulling loose hairs from the body during

molt In biology, moulting (British English), or molting (American English), also known as sloughing, shedding, or in many invertebrates, ecdysis, is a process by which an animal casts off parts of its body to serve some beneficial purpose, either at ...

ing) and then spun into

yarn Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibres, used in sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroidery, ropemaking, and the production of textiles. '' Thread'' is a type of yarn intended for sewing by hand or machine. Modern ...

used to make a variety of products. Angora

sweater A sweater (North American English) or pullover, also called a jersey or jumper (British English, Hiberno-English and Australian English),

s can be purchased in many clothing stores and is generally mixed with other types of wool due to the poor durability of angora fibers on their own. Rabbit Pelt Peddler MET DP817837

Fur rabbits

Rabbit skins are often produced as a byproduct of the meat production process, but some breeds have been bred specifically for superior fur quality. The main breed raised for its fur is the Rex rabbit. White rabbit fur may be dyed in an array of colors that are not produced naturally, which has introduced demand for furs from New Zealand White rabbits; the practice of deceptively dyeing white furs to look like the pelts of other animals was popular in the 1930s. Rabbits in the fur industry are fed a diet focused for robust coat production and pelts are harvested after the rabbit reaches prime condition, which takes longer than in the meat industry. Rabbit fur is used in local and commercial textile industries throughout the world.

Experimentation

Rabbits have been and continue to be used in

laboratory A laboratory (; ; colloquially lab) is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific or technological research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. Laboratories are found in a variety of settings such as schools ...

work such as production of

antibodies An antibody (Ab) or immunoglobulin (Ig) is a large, Y-shaped protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily which is used by the immune system to identify and neutralize antigens such as bacteria and viruses, including those that caus ...

for

vaccine A vaccine is a biological Dosage form, preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease, infectious or cancer, malignant disease. The safety and effectiveness of vaccines has been widely studied and verifi ...

s and research of human

male reproductive system The male reproductive system consists of a number of sex organs that play a role in the process of human reproduction. These organs are located on the outside of the body, and within the pelvic cavity, pelvis. The main male sex organs are the hu ...

toxicology Toxicology is a scientific discipline, overlapping with biology, chemistry, pharmacology, and medicine, that involves the study of the adverse effects of chemical substances on living organisms and the practice of diagnosing and treating ex ...

. In 1972, around 450,000 rabbits were used for experiments in the United States, decreasing to around 240,000 in 2006. The Environmental Health Perspective, published by the

National Institute of Health The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and public health research. It was founded in 1887 and is part of the United States Department of Health and Human Servic ...

, states, "The rabbit san extremely valuable model for studying the effects of

chemical A chemical substance is a unique form of matter with constant chemical composition and characteristic properties. Chemical substances may take the form of a single element or chemical compounds. If two or more chemical substances can be combin ...

s or other stimuli on the male reproductive system." Rabbits are also used in the study of bronchial

asthma Asthma is a common long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wh ...

and related lung diseases,

stroke Stroke is a medical condition in which poor cerebral circulation, blood flow to a part of the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: brain ischemia, ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and intracranial hemorrhage, hemor ...

prevention treatments,

cystic fibrosis Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder inherited in an autosomal recessive manner that impairs the normal clearance of Sputum, mucus from the lungs, which facilitates the colonization and infection of the lungs by bacteria, notably ''Staphy ...

diabetes Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a group of common endocrine diseases characterized by sustained high blood sugar levels. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or the cells of th ...

, and

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal cell growth with the potential to Invasion (cancer), invade or Metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Po ...

. The New Zealand White is one of the most commonly used breeds for research and testing.

Cosmetics testing

Rabbits have been used for the Draize test, a method of

testing cosmetics on animals Cosmetic testing on animals is a type of animal testing used to test the safety and hypoallergenic properties of cosmetics, cosmetic products for use by humans. Since this type of animal testing is often harmful to the animal subjects, it is o ...

Animal rights Animal rights is the philosophy according to which many or all Animal consciousness, sentient animals have Moral patienthood, moral worth independent of their Utilitarianism, utility to humans, and that their most basic interests—such as ...

activists have opposed animal experimentation for non-medical purposes, such as the testing of cosmetic and cleaning products, citing it as an example of cruelty in animal research. These efforts have resulted in the decreased use of rabbits in these areas. Albino rabbits are typically used in the Draize tests because they have less tear flow than other animals, and the lack of eye pigment makes the effects easier to visualize.

References

External links

The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund

The American Rabbit Breeders Association
– the oldest and largest rabbit specialist organization in the United States
The Livestock Conservancy
– a registry of the rarest breeds of domestic rabbits
World Rabbit Science Association
– an international science organization dedicated to rabbit health research
The British Rabbit Council
– recognized breeds with photographs and more
MediRabbit
– a site dedicated to spreading the knowledge of rabbit medicine and safe medication in rabbits, for the owner and the vet professional
Rabbit.org Foundation
– a US-based educational and advocacy organization for rabbit pet-keepers, founded in 2023
House Rabbit Society
– a US-based rescue organization for rabbit pet-keepers, founded in 1988 {{Authority control Domesticated animals Rabbits as pets Livestock Animal models Articles containing video clips Oryctolagus