How Long Do Rabbits Live?

The lifespan of a pet rabbit will affect both your lifestyle and your emotions. Find out what to expect when you adopt a rabbit.

by Adrienne A. Kruzer, BBA, RVT, LVT, | May 15, 2024

David Prado / Stocksy

The lifespan of any pet will shape your daily responsibilities as well as impact the level of attachment to your furry bestie. To better prepare for a pet rabbit, it’s important to consider how everything from rabbit breed to healthcare to nutrition influences their longevity. Read on to find out the average lifespan of pet rabbits and the biggest factors that contribute to their overall health.

Rabbit lifespan

If you’ve never had one as a pet, you may wonder, “How long do pet rabbits live?” The average bunny lifespan is commonly thought to be between eight and 12 years. (The record for the oldest rabbit who has ever lived belongs to an Australian bunny who lived for 18 years.) This span accounts for the numerous factors that play into how long your rabbit may live.

Factors that affect rabbit longevity

Despite the average life expectancy of rabbits, the number of years a specific rabbit may live will vary. Several factors can affect pet rabbit longevity, and while some of them cannot be controlled, many of them can. Rabbit parents should know how they can help maximize their bunny’s lifespan wherever possible.

Rabbit breed: This can be a huge factor in life expectancy for pet rabbits. Typically giant breeds live shorter lives than dwarf breeds, so if you have a small rabbit, their odds are greater for having a longer lifespan.
Rabbit medical conditions: Some rabbits are born with health conditions that negatively affect their lifespans. Others may develop diseases later in life. After the age of three, rabbits are more likely to develop medical conditions. So if you aren’t already taking them to the veterinarian at least once a year for a check-up, this age is a great time to start. Lack of veterinary attention for medical conditions will likely shorten lifespans.
Rabbit nutrition: Proper nutrition may impact your rabbit’s well-being. A lack of fiber, too much sugar, inappropriate levels of vitamins and minerals, and other dietary issues can ultimately lead to medical conditions that shorten your rabbit’s life.
Rabbit lifestyle: The environment your rabbit lives in can greatly affect their lifespan. Rabbits who are regularly stressed, don’t get proper mental or physical stimulation and exercise, and/or are exposed to dangerous outside elements (such as toxins, vehicles, pests, and other animals) may risk having a shorter-than-average lifespan.

How to keep your rabbit healthy

For the best chance at seeing your rabbit grow old, do what you can to help keep them healthy. Here are some tips on how to nurture your rabbit:

Proper nutrition

Your rabbit should consume appropriate amounts of vitamins, minerals, and fiber content each day — primarily in the form of hay and leafy green vegetables, with a small serving of fortified rabbit pellets. Limit treats and fruits to 10 percent or less of your rabbit’s diet, and provide both a water bowl and water bottle to encourage appropriate hydration.

Proper healthcare

Even though there aren’t any vaccines that rabbits in the U.S. need to get, your rabbit should still get regular check-ups with a veterinarian to catch small problems before they become big ones. Additionally, choosing to spay or neuter your bunny may help them live a long life, since these procedures prevent rabbits from developing different types of cancers and infections.

Keep your rabbit active

Rabbits need mental and physical stimulation and activity to stay healthy. Encourage your rabbit to play, run, and work for their food by providing them with an enriching environment. Rabbits enjoy having a variety of tunnels and platforms and plenty of space, so they can hop and jump.

Keep your rabbit safe

If you keep your rabbit outside in a hutch, ensure that the enclosure is safely secured. Predators such as raccoons and hawks can easily hurt or kill a rabbit who lives outdoors. If your rabbit is outside playing with you, keep them in a safe, fenced-in area or on a harness and leash.

Keep your rabbit clean

Regular enclosure cleaning, as well as monitoring your rabbit’s feet and hind end, are necessary to avoid infections. Prevent fecal matter from building up in their cage, and bathe your rabbit as needed if urine or feces gets on their fur.

Give your rabbit a friend

Rabbits are social animals and do best if they have a companion rabbit. If you’re thinking about getting a rabbit, think about getting two instead.

Common rabbit illnesses

There are health concerns that every rabbit pet parents should watch out for. While some illnesses aren’t life-threatening, others can lead to death. Some common rabbit illnesses include:

Cancer: Uterine, mammary, testicular, bone, and other kinds of cancers may afflict rabbits. But spaying and neutering can eliminate the risk for many of them.
Bacterial and viral diseases: From pasteurellosis and staphylococcal infections to myxomatosis and skin abscesses, bacterial and viral diseases are common causes of death in rabbits.
Metabolic and nutritional diseases: Epizootic rabbit enteropathy and pregnancy toxemia are among the diseases that can cause death.
Gut stasis: Rabbits have very sensitive guts that are supposed to constantly push digested food through the body. When gut stasis occurs, gas builds up in the intestinal tract. Your rabbit will stop eating and pooping, and will experience severe pain.
Parasites: From maggots to ear mites to coccidia to E. cuniculi, parasites are common problems in rabbits and can lead to death
Dental issues: Rabbits’ teeth continuously grow, which can cause problems. If their teeth become too problematic, a rabbit may stop eating or develop dental abscesses, both of which can be deadly.

What are the most common causes of death in rabbits?

The most common cause of death for pet rabbits is the parasitic infection flystrike, also known as myiasis, which is caused by household flies. Other leading causes of death in pet rabbits are anorexia, collapse (unknown cause), gut stasis (Ileus), and the rabbit plague (myxomatosis), which is contracted from fleas and mosquitoes. Collapse is a symptom of larger health issues, such as dental disease, heart disease, organ failure, or poor living conditions.

Signs your rabbit is sick

If you are worried about when to take your rabbit to the vet, the first thing you need to do is observe what your rabbit’s normal behavior looks like. Once you know what’s normal for your rabbit, you’ll be able to more easily sense if your rabbit is acting abnormally. Some things to watch for include:

Decreased activity: Rabbits should sleep for about eight to nine hours a day. Outside of sleeping, occasionally lounging around is normal. But if you discover your rabbit isn’t playing or walking around very much, something may be wrong.
Decreased appetite: Your rabbit should eat throughout the day. If your rabbit hasn’t finished the food they normally consume each day, this is probably an indication of a problem.
Changes in urine or feces: Monitor your rabbit’s pee and poop for any changes. Too little urine or feces, or changes in color and texture, can be indicators of issues.
Drooling: Rabbits can’t vomit, but they can drool. Drooling is usually an indication of a mouth or gut issue that needs veterinary attention.
Excessive itching: An itch here or there is normal, but if your rabbit is constantly scratching, they may have a problem.
Blood: It’s no surprise that seeing blood on your rabbit or in their environment is a sign that there is something wrong. Red urine can be normal if the color is due to pigments from food, but if it’s blood, this can indicate an internal issue.

Although there are indicators that something might be wrong, if you ever have concerns about your rabbit’s health or happiness, don’t wait for a sign. Contact your veterinarian to have your rabbit checked out right away.