What is Mini Rex Rabbit?
Mini Rex Rabbit is a popular breed known for their small size, friendly temperament, and distinctive fur. Mini Rex rabbits come in various colors and patterns and are miniature forms of Standard Rex rabbits.
Standard Rex Rabbit
Rex rabbits are adorable and curious creatures with an adorable personality. The Standard Rex and Mini Rex are popular in the pet and fur industry for their velvety and dense fur. The Rex rabbits were originally bred in France and were showcased in the Paris International Rabbit Show(1924). Later it was imported to America where it was recognized as a Standard Rex rabbit. The scientific name of Rex rabbits is Oryctolagus cuniculus.
They are also referred to as King Rabbits due to their extra soft and dense fur. Rabbits are small mammals belonging to the family Leporidae, also known as Lagomorphs.
Their sharp and strong claws help them dig burrows. They have short, straight, and strong legs with a robust body that aids in their speed and agility.
What Makes Mini Rex Rabbit So Special?
The history of Mini Rex rabbit began in 1984, by Monna Berry Hill. According to the information on the NMRC website, she developed Mini Rex Rabbit through selective breeding between a Dwarf Rex Buck and an undersize Lynx Rex Doe in Texas. She debuted the first Mini Rex at the yearly ARBA congress in 1986. It was a castor Mini Rex, and the breed’s operating standard had been certified by American Rabbit Breeder Association, ARBA
They are developed in various colors such as Amber, Black, Black otter, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Lynx, Opal, Sable, Seal, and White.
Mini Rex rabbits are one of the most popular furry pets due to their friendly and docile temperament. Originally bred for their unique fur, they quickly became popular as pets due to their sweet nature and manageable size.
Standard Rex Rabbit Vs Mini Rex Rabbit
The mini Rex rabbits are a miniature form of Rex Rabbits. They have certain similarities in terms of appearance and temperament. However, there are some physical attributes that make both of these unique creatures.
Rex rabbits have a broad head, upright ears, curly whiskers, and extremely lustrous fur. Mini Rex rabbits are known for their plush, velvety fur, and friendly dispositions.
Size Information and Life Expectancy
These furry creatures have a life span of about 6- 8 years. Rex rabbits are medium-sized, typically weighing between 7.5 to 10.5 pounds whereas Mini Rex rabbits are short in size with an average weight of 3.5 to 4.5 pounds. They have a rounded body shape and stand out due to their dense, short fur, which is softer and more luxurious than that of other rabbits.
Behavior and Temperament of Mini Rex Rabbit
Mini Rex rabbits are known for their calm and gentle temperament. They are sociable creatures that enjoy human interaction and can be quite affectionate once they bond with their owners.
They’re also intelligent and can be trained to use a litter box, respond to their name, and even perform tricks. They enjoy exploring, engaging in toy play, and interacting with their owners.
They exhibit a crepuscular and sometimes nocturnal nature, meaning they are most active during the morning or dusk, or night.
How to Care for Mini Rex Rabbit?
Mini Rex rabbits are fascinating and unique pets that require a significant commitment to their care and well-being. By providing a suitable environment, a balanced diet, regular health checkups, and ample social interaction, you can ensure your pet Mini Rex rabbit lives a happy and healthy life.
Housing Requirements
Mini Rex rabbits require a spacious enclosure where they can move around freely. A spacious cage or hutch that is at least 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 2 feet high is recommended. You should keep them in a solid bottom enclosure, as wire bottoms can hurt their sensitive feet.
In addition to it, a separate play area should be provided to keep your bunny active and playful. Indoor housing is ideal to protect them from predators and extreme weather.
Specific Substrate Needs
As a bedding material, you should utilize absorbent materials like hay, aspen shavings, or paper-based items. Pine and cedar shavings might irritate your respiratory system, so stay away from them.
It is essential for your bunny’s general health that it eat a balanced diet. Hay is a must for your pet’s digestive system and oral health, therefore give it to them in endless amounts. High-quality rabbit pellets and fresh veggies should be used as supplements.
To prevent heat stroke and dehydration, your rabbit needs to have access to fresh, clean water.
Litter Box
A litter box is a container made specifically to hold litter, a substrate that manages odors and absorbs waste. The size of the litter box should be nearly twice the size of your rabbit so as to allow it to sit and turn around comfortably. It should also be filled with safe litter material.
Exercise and Toys
Mini Rex rabbits require a lot of exercise to maintain good health. Every day, give them some supervised time to hop and explore outside of their area. To keep them occupied, you might give them toys and chew blocks.
What Does a Mini Rex Rabbit Eat and Drink?
Being a herbivore, Mini Rex rabbits like to consume orchard grass, Timothy hay, and grass hay. Your bunny will get adequate fiber from vegetables including celery leaves, carrot tops, parsley, green and red leaf lettuce, arugula, romaine, Boston Bibb, and butter lettuce. You can offer them low-glycemic fruits as a treat.
To keep it hydrated, you should also put a clean bowl filled with fresh water or a water bottle inside its cage.
Handling of Mini Rex Rabbit
Be kind and encouraging to your Mini Rex rabbit when handling it. To help them feel secure, always support their hindquarters and keep them near your body. Steer clear of abrupt movements or loud noises that could frighten them.
Exercise
Ensure that your Rex spends a minimum of four hours per day playing, exploring, and exercising outside of its cage. However, before letting your rabbit wander free, be sure to bunny-proof your house.
To get your rabbit moving, you should provide different toys to forage food, DIY puzzles, tunnels, and other items. Toys, food items with treats and obstacles provide environmental enrichment to your bunny and keeps it busy and active.
Grooming
Rex rabbits are great groomers but they need brushing at least once a week to prevent matting and reduce shedding whereas Mini Rex rabbits don’t require grooming. This difference is due to the difference in their coats. The mini Rex rabbits have a shorter and denser coat that is to be cleaned only with a damp or dry, soft cloth. They need Nail trimming at the intervals of 4-6 weeks. Moreover, the ear-cleaning should also be done on regular basis through an expert.
Health Concerns Related to Mini Rex Rabbit
The Mini Rex rabbits instinctively hide signs of illness and therefore you will have to pay heed to changes in behavior minutely.
Common signs of illness in Mini Rex rabbits include lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and changes in behavior. Regular veterinary checkups are essential to keep your Mini Rex rabbit healthy. Some of the common health concerns are
1.Sore hocks:
The underside of the large back feet develops sore feet. This happens generally due to wire mesh in the bottom of its cage.
2.GI Stasis:
In rabbits with gastrointestinal (GI) stasis, typical bacteria in the digestive tract fall out of balance and there is a decrease in the contractions of the muscles surrounding the stomach and intestines. This condition has the potential to be fatal.
3.Parasites:
Serious infections and anemia in rabbits can also be brought on by fleas. Your rabbit may get cuts and infections as a result of excessive scratching brought on by flea bites. In addition, scaly skin from excessive scratching, open sores, and hair loss are possible in your bunny.
4.Corneal Ulcers:
The most prevalent condition affecting rabbits’ eyes is corneal ulceration, or an ulcer on the front of the eyeball. Because of their big eyes and they blink less frequently than other animals, rabbits are more likely to develop ulcers or other corneal injuries.
Upkeep Cost
Cherishing rabbits is an expensive hobby and you should be well-prepared to pay for the initial setup and then monthly addons.
Be ready for monthly expenses, including food, bedding, and health care, which can range from $20 to $100. Moreover, unexpected vet bills can also arise, so it’s wise to budget for emergencies.
Pros and Cons of Keeping a Mini Rex Rabbit as a Pet
Before choosing to keep a Mini Rex rabbit as a pet, it is crucial to comprehend and weigh all the benefits and drawbacks because they demand a large commitment to be met.
Pros:
- Affectionate and social: The Mini Rex rabbits are adorable, cute, and social creatures. They make great bonds with the owner. Mini Rex rabbits are known for their friendly and calm demeanor.
- Their plush, velvety fur is a joy to touch and makes them stand out.
- They can be trained to use a litter box and perform tricks.
- Mini Rex rabbits are clean animals and self-groom themselves and less maintenance is required.
- With proper care, they can be a long-term companion.
Cons:
- Chewing and digging are the instincts of Mini Rex rabbits. Therefore you need to make your home rabbit-proof.
- They need a spacious enclosure and plenty of exercise time.
- Keeping Mini Rex rabbits requires time and commitment for a considerably good period.
- Regular examinations may be necessary for the Mini Rex rabbits, and taking them to the vet adds another duty.
Where to Buy a Mini Rex Rabbit?
When buying or adopting a pet Mini Rex rabbit, it is important to choose from a reputed source to ensure the health and well-being of your new pet.
You can check websites like petfinder.com and adoptapet.com to search for Mini Rex rabbits available near you. The details of breeders can be obtained from the American Rabbit Breeder Association (ARBA.net)
The cost of the Mini Rex rabbit may range between $25 to $40.You can also get it from a rescue center or a local pet shop.
Interesting Facts About a Pet Mini Rex Rabbit
- With the first mutation, Standard Rex Rabbit was discovered in France in the 1910s, and later Mini Rex was developed in Texas in 1984.
- Mini Rex is known as the Mellow Fellow for its easy-going, fun-loving and playful nature.
- Mini Rex rabbits have shorter guard hairs, giving them their plush coat.
- They come in various colors, including black, blue, chocolate, and white.
- Their fur is often described as “like velvet”. Mini Rex rabbits may have a Broken Coat-Patches of any color and white, Patterned Coat- Broken Coat with eye marking or earmarking and Castor- Their coat is brown on top, red beneath the brown, and slate blue on the bottom.
- They can live up to 8 to 10 years with proper care.
- Mini Rex rabbits have been used in genetic studies due to their unique fur mutation.
- They are excellent companions for children due to their gentle nature.
- Mini Rex rabbits are prone to obesity, so their diet needs careful monitoring.
- Mini Rex rabbits radiate heat from their ears.
Related Species
Rabbits make wonderful companions due to their lovable and playful nature. There are many other breeds similar to Mini Rex rabbits which can be considered as lovable pets. Some of them are
- Angora Rabbit
- Lion head Rabbit
- Lop Eared Rabbit
Frequently Asked Questions
Question1.What are the cons of Mini Rex rabbits?
Answer: Mini Rex rabbits are prone to health problems such as Diarrhea, blockages, sore hocks, and eye corneal ulcers.
Question2. Is Mini Rex rabbit a good pet?
Answer: Mini Rex rabbits are wonderful pets due to their easy handling, and friendly, docile temperament.
Question 3: Can Mini Rex rabbits be litter-trained?
Answer: Yes, Mini Rex rabbits can be litter trained using a litter box with paper-based litter.
Question 4: Is the Mini Rex rabbit rare?
Answer: Because of their traits that appeal to everyone, Mini Rex rabbits are not only the best breed for pets but also have achieved unequaled success as show rabbits.
Question 5: Are Mini Rex rabbits hard to take care of?
Answer: Mini Rex rabbits are high maintenance as they need a continuous food supply and chewing material. They are social creatures and need a companion.
Question 6: How cold can Mini Rex rabbits tolerate?
Answer: Mini Rex rabbits are well adapted to lower temperatures and can withstand a temperature of nearly 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Question 7: What is the lifespan of a Mini Rex rabbit?
Answer: In captivity, the lifespan of a Mini Rex rabbit is around 8 to 10 years.
Question 8: Why do Mini Rex rabbits have soft fur?
Answer: Mini Rex rabbits are selectively bred for a sheen in their coat. The undercoat is very smooth with very short guard hair.
Question 9: How should you keep rabbits in the summer heat?
Answer: You can lightly dampen the ears to speed up the cooling process and save it from a heat stroke.
Question 10: Can we shower Rabbits?
Answer: Rabbits are clean animals and don’t need bathing. It can be harmful to them as they may panic and fracture their limb or spine.
