Mini Rex rabbits are a popular choice among people looking for a small pet that isn’t too hard to keep. But rabbits can be complex animals, as they have distinctive personalities and are unusually prone to stress. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is a Mini Rex Rabbit?
Mini Rex rabbits are small rabbits known for their velvety, dense fur. They come in many colors, although the most famous is broken black, which mixes black with white. Mini Rex rabbits are particularly popular due to their compact size, beautiful fur, and plushy undercoat.
The Mini Rex rabbit size varies, but they're considered one of the smallest commercially available breeds. Most adult Mini Rexes will weigh between 1.4 and 2 kilograms. Female Mini Rex rabbits (does) will usually weigh slightly more than male ones (bucks).
Like most rabbits, Mini Rexes make great pets and can be a great addition to your family if you have kids who are over 8 years old. But this doesn’t mean they don’t require a certain degree of responsibility. If you're wondering if a rabbit is the ideal pet for you, consider if you can give the animal:
- An appropriate diet
- Adequate housing that protects it from weather and environmental dangers
- A proper space where it can move freely
- Enough time to socialize with it every day
You’ll probably be a fantastic rabbit owner if you can commit to these things. Mini Rex rabbits don’t require any special treatment besides what’s usual for a rabbit. Still, it’s essential that you know what you’ll need before taking a rabbit into your home.
Mini Rex Rabbit Care
Taking care of rabbits is relatively straightforward. But due to their compact size, they're usually fragile animals, so they may need more specific care than other pets like cats and dogs. Here are some of the essential aspects you should keep in mind:
Mini Rex nutrition. Rabbits are herbivores, meaning they can eat plants. Their diet should consist of green leafy vegetables, specialized rabbit food, and fruit. You should also provide your rabbit with good-quality hay (ideally Timothy hay). It’s crucial to make sure that the rabbit gets a high amount of fiber, as this nutrient helps them maintain a healthy gut and teeth.
You’ll have to feed your Mini Rex rabbit at least once a day, making sure that the food is thoroughly washed to avoid contaminants. Rabbits can be sensitive to new food, so you should make any changes to their diet over the course of two to four weeks.
Mini Rex housing. While rabbits should have a dedicated housing facility, they aren’t demanding animals in this regard. Cages can be very simple, consisting of wood and welded wire — although there are some more complex designs that will allow your rabbit to feel comfortable and free.
When considering a specific rabbit cage, try to make sure that it has ample space for the number of rabbits living there. Similarly, it should have adequate ventilation and be easy to clean up whenever needed. The ideal rabbit housing should also be sturdy and durable, keeping environmental dangers away from the animals.
Mini Rex handling. Small rabbit breeds like the Mini Rex are considerably more fragile than cats and dogs. This means it’s important to learn how to handle them correctly to avoid problems and stress whenever you need to pick them up or take them outside your home.
The most important thing to remember is that you should never pick up a rabbit by its ears. Instead, try to lift it by supporting its weight from beneath its body with one arm and holding it in place with the other to prevent falls. This should look similar to how you’d lift a cat or a baby.
Mini Rex exercise and playtime. Rabbits are very active animals, so you should give them enough space and time to allow them to do some exercise. Some people choose to let their rabbit run around the house — but be careful if you have dogs or cats, as they could try to hunt the rabbit.
Making a small space in your daily schedule to play with your rabbit will go a long way toward keeping them healthy and in shape. Food treats, obstacles, and toys can make a world of difference for your Mini Rex, providing them the fun and socializing they need while exercising.
Mini Rex Rabbit Facts
Rabbits can be more complex than most people think. If it’s your first time owning a pet rabbit, you’ll probably have dozens of questions in your head. So here are some other rabbit facts you should take into account:
Mini Rex rabbit lifespan. Most rabbits, including Mini Rexes, live between 8 and 12 years. But take into consideration that they’re fragile animals, meaning that poor care practices could lead to a shortened lifespan.
Mini Rex rabbit personality. Rabbits are known for being intelligent and unique animals. Each rabbit has their own distinct personality, but most people find it easy to get along with their pet rabbit once they start to understand their language. For example, your pet rabbit may not enjoy being picked up but may love playing with you on the ground.
Mini Rex rabbit stress. Many people don’t know that rabbits are very prone to stress. Because they're prey animals, they've developed an exceptional sensitivity to fear-inducing situations and environments. You should always try to keep your rabbit away from stressful situations, which could severely impact the animal’s health.
What Are the Downsides of Getting a Mini Rex Rabbit?
No animal comes without its downsides — for example, dogs require constant attention, and cats may not be friendly with strangers. While rabbits make great pets, they are no exception to this rule. Here are some things you need to take into consideration if you’re thinking about getting a Mini Rex:
- Rabbits are prey animals, so you’ll need to take extra precautions if you own other pets.
- Inevitably, you’ll have to spend at least a few minutes a day with your Mini Rex to provide it with some socialization.
- Mini Rexes are very compact, so they shouldn’t be near children who are less than 8 years old.
- Rabbits can turn aggressive if they don't get adequate care, so you should expect a few bites during the first months.
