Lionhead rabbit breed

Lionheads require high-quality fresh hay and grass for essential fibre and digestive health. They also enjoy fresh veg like celery and lettuce, as well as sweet potato and rabbit pellets.

Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn’t feed your lionhead bunny too many carrots – this can lead to digestive issues such as diarrhoea or bloating. Fruit can also serve as an occasional treat, and can form 5% of a rabbit’s diet.

In addition to hay, Lionheads should always have fresh water to drink. Ensure you check their water bottle or bowl is clean and full every day.

Lionhead bunnies are characterised by woolly medium-length fur that requires more grooming than other breeds. You should brush their hair two to three times a week, and daily during moulting in the spring or autumn.  

Lionheads can have either a single or double mane. Single-maned Lionheads have fur circling their head when young, but it may reduce with age. A double-mane Lionhead can keep their thick mane for life, which can also extend to their flanks. 

As well as their fur, it’s important to check their ears for debris and trim their nails every month. 

Lionheads may be small, but they’re an energetic breed that need plenty of exercise. Giving them enough space to hop and bounce for a few hours a day can help to burn calories.

If your lion rabbit is kept in a cage, it’s important that it’s big enough for them to fully stretch on their hind legs. They should also have access to an enclosed run with tunnels and solid floor ramps to keep moving. Before taking them out of the cage, make your home rabbit proof and secure enough for them to roam.

Lionheads are intelligent bunnies that respond well to basic training commands. Litter training will be much easier than with other breeds. And with positive reinforcement and rewards, you can train them to fetch toys, jump and even walk (or hop!) on a lead. 

Providing your lion-maned rabbit with toys can keep them stimulated and prevent boredom, which can lead to behavioural problems.

Fly strike, or myiasis, happens when a fly lays eggs on a rabbit’s fur. These eggs hatch into maggots which eat into the rabbit’s flesh. Rabbits with fly strike will have large, painful wounds that can be fatal if left untreated.

Lionheads have longer fur that is at greater risk of fly strike if it is wet. If you let your Lionhead outside, always check their skin for scabs or sores, and comb their fur thoroughly to rid of any fly eggs or maggots. 

If you spot any, contact your vet immediately. They will clip the affected fur, clean the wound and provide pain relief and antibiotics.

Lionheads, like all rabbits, have delicate spines. Frightened or startled rabbits may suddenly kick their hind legs when being picked up, leading to a spinal injury. Their spines can also become damaged when handled incorrectly or dropped.

Treatment depends on the severity of the fracture and the rabbit’s general health. Some spinal injuries can result in paralysis or bladder incontinence. It’s possible to cure spinal trauma through anti-inflammatory medication.

Brachycephaly affects the breathing, tooth growth and tear ducts of short-nose bunnies. Over recent years, Lionhead rabbits have been increasingly bred with flattened faces, making them vulnerable to this condition. 

In brachycephalic Lionheads, the top jaw grows longer than the bottom (known as malocclusion), which can lead to dental problems such as overgrown teeth. Respiratory issues are also common. Rabbits only breathe through their nose. If you see your lion bunny breathe through their mouth, this could be a sign that there’s a problem.

RHD is another common viral disease that attacks the rabbit’s internal organs, causing them to haemorrhage. This disease comes in two forms, RHD1 and RHD2, both of which are fatal in most cases.

Rabbits with RHD1 become suddenly ill and may pass away within two days of catching it. RHD2 develops slowly and is typically less aggressive. Signs of infection can include lethargy and anorexia, to sudden and unexplained death.

Rabbit vaccinations are the best prevention for RHD. Your Lionhead bunny can be vaccinated from five weeks old.

The average lifespan of a Lionhead rabbit is around 7-9 years. Protecting your little lion bunny with rabbit insurance can be the first step to helping them lead happy, healthy lives.

Yes, Lionhead rabbits need grooming more often than other rabbit breeds because of their medium, mane-like fur. Routine brushing is crucial for a Lionhead’s overall health, as it helps to prevent hair and skin issues.

Lionheads are a dwarf breed, so they’re on the smaller side. A full-grown lionhead rabbit will reach around 20-25 cm long, which is half the size of a standard bunny.