New Zealand rabbit breed

A rabbit’s diet should mimic what a rabbit would eat in the wild as closely as possible. That means they should get most of their calories from grass or hay, supplemented by leafy greens, vegetables and pellets to make sure they’re getting the right nutrients. 

Fruit and treats should be offered sparingly to avoid your New Zealand rabbit becoming overweight. Make sure your rabbit always has access to fresh water, either from a bowl or a water bottle. 

Although many people include salt licks in rabbit cages, your New Zealand white shouldn’t need a salt lick if they’re getting enough nutrition in their diet.

New Zealand rabbits have shorter fur than some breeds, meaning they are low maintenance when it comes to grooming. Brushing them once a week should be sufficient, although you might need to do it more frequently when they shed more heavily in spring and autumn.

New Zealand rabbits are a larger breed, so they need more space than other domestic rabbits. Most commercial hutches won’t be big enough to allow your rabbit to move around, so you may need to invest in a custom hutch. Your rabbit’s enclosure should be at least four times their stretched-out length to give them space to move freely. 

New Zealand rabbits need lots of time outside their hutch, whether in a run or enclosure in the garden, or free roaming in the house. They like to explore, and ideally should have at least five hours a day to roam and play.

New Zealand rabbits are intelligent and can be trained to play games, come when they’re called and use a litter tray. Giving them plenty of mental stimulation will keep your bunny happy and entertained. A treat ball or enrichment items like carboard items filled with hay and pellets will satisfy their foraging instinct. 

You should handle your New Zealand rabbit every day to make sure they stay comfortable with human contact. Picking them up, stroking them and spending time with them will strengthen your bond and ensure your rabbit remains gentle and docile.

Rabbits’ teeth are constantly growing, so they need to gnaw on a lot of hay to prevent them becoming overgrown. If they do become overgrown, they may need dental treatment to file down the overgrowth. Abscesses can also form beneath the gum, which will need to be surgically removed.

Rabbits have delicate spines, and as New Zealand rabbits have particularly strong hind legs, their spines can become damaged from a simple kicking movement. Incorrect handling can also injure them. Anti-inflammatory medication can help with minor injuries, but if the rabbit has become paralysed your vet may advise putting them to sleep, as there is often no cure.

This is the most common form of cancer in female New Zealand rabbits. You might notice symptoms like loss of appetite, blood in urine and fertility problems. Spaying can prevent the cancer from spreading to other organs, so vets may advise this if you aren’t planning to breed from your pet rabbit.

While most mammals excrete excess calcium through the digestive tract, rabbits excrete it through urine. This can result in excessive build-up of calcium which can cause bladder stones. 

You might notice your rabbit squealing when passing urine, blood in their urine or a rash from urine being in contact with their skin. Bladder stones can be surgically removed, and bladder infections can be treated with antibiotics.

As a larger rabbit breed, New Zealand rabbits are more prone to developing arthritis. Painful inflammation and stiffness in the joints can cause your rabbit to become less active and spend more time lying in awkward positions rather than stretching out. 

Arthritis can happen naturally with age, so older rabbits are more likely to show signs than younger ones. Anti-inflammatory medication can help your bunny cope with the condition better.

Yes, New Zealand rabbits are a calm breed compared to a lot of other domesticated rabbits, which can be skittish. It’s for this reason that they were often used in magician shows, as they could be trusted to stay still inside the magician’s hat, or else hidden from view to surprise the audience.

Rabbits generally are social creatures, and in the wild they live communally in large warrens. Domesticated rabbits can live alone, but it’s important to ensure that they get plenty of socialisation with their humans every day so they’re not lonely. Otherwise, it’s a good idea to keep several rabbits together, as long as they’re neutered.

New Zealand rabbits are a larger rabbit breed and can reach over 5kg in weight. Females tend to be bigger than males, weighing slightly more on average.