How Big Do Rabbits Get? Rabbit Weight by Breed

A rabbit's adult size depends on its breed. The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) gives a maximum weight of 2.5 lbs for the Netherland Dwarf and the Britannia Petite. For the Flemish Giant it says: "Though there is no maximum weight for the Flemish Giant, they often tip the scales at over 20 lbs."

Size is one part of proper rabbit care. The sections below give ARBA's weight for each common breed, say when a rabbit is fully mature, and cover what size changes about space, feeding, and care.

How big do bunnies get?

ARBA says the Britannia Petite "is one of the smallest breeds of rabbits recognized by the ARBA," and it lists the Britannia Petite and the Netherland Dwarf at the same 2.5 lb maximum. Wild rabbits can be smaller still. The Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit is a wild rabbit, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says "The pygmy rabbit is the smallest rabbit species in North America."

At the heavy end, ARBA calls the Checkered Giant "one of the largest rabbit breeds" and gives it no maximum weight. Heavy breeds such as Flemish Giants have no ARBA limit either, and the figure ARBA gives for them is "over 20 lbs." One pet-care guide, PetEducate, puts large breeds at 12-20 pounds. The Giant Chinchilla does have a limit, 16 lbs. The ARBA figure for a breed is a maximum, so a pet of that breed can weigh less.

Rabbit weight and size by breed

The figures in the table are ARBA's maximum weights, not averages. It covers the breeds most pet parents ask about, lightest first. One size guide, RabbitPros, calls rabbits that weigh 5.5 to 10.5 pounds medium.

ARBA says the Dwarf Hotot "combines the striking markings of the Blanc de Hotot with the charm of a dwarfed breed." ARBA opens its Mini Lop entry with "Stocky and compact" and describes a "softball-sized head."

How big is an American rabbit?

ARBA recognizes several breeds with American in the name, and their maximums differ a lot. The American and the American Chinchilla are both listed at 12 lbs. The American Sable is listed at 9 lbs, and the American Fuzzy Lop at 4 lbs.

When is a rabbit fully mature?

The RSPCA's timeline of a rabbit's life says kits begin to wean at 4 to 8 weeks old and puberty begins at 3 to 5 months. It then says: "Does fully mature at 7 to 8 months, and bucks mature at 8 to 9 months."

The RSPCA also says "Growing, pregnant, nursing or underweight rabbits may need larger portions" of pellets, so a young rabbit's feeding can differ from an adult's.

How much space does a bigger rabbit need?

The rabbit welfare groups give one floor plan to start from. The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) recommends "a single enclosed area of at least 3m x 2m by 1m high" for "2 average sized rabbits." In feet and inches that is 9 ft 10 in by 6 ft 7 in by 3 ft 3 in. The RSPCA says: "A living space for two medium-sized rabbits should be no smaller than 3m x 2m x 1m, including their main shelter and exercise area." PDSA gives the same size as "at least around 3m x 2m x 1m/10ft x 6ft x 3ft (depending on the size of your rabbit), but we recommend providing much more than this."

These are minimums. RWAF says "bigger is better in terms of space for rabbits." A rabbit also needs room to move inside it: the RSPCA says rabbits must be able to "Stand up on their hind legs without their ears touching the roof" and "Lie fully outstretched in any direction."

A single rabbit hutch does not meet that on its own. RWAF says "A hutch should never be the sole or main accommodation for rabbits," and our guide to the best rabbit hutches compares six listings with the RWAF minimum. A tall stacked cage adds levels, and RWAF says "The upper floor of a two-storey hutch does NOT count towards the footprint." Our list of the best stackable rabbit cages shows what is sold.

A study led by the University of Bristol Veterinary School housed twenty pairs of adult neutered pet rabbits in small or large hutches with a run attached, and varied the space to exercise each pair had. Activity and stress hormone levels were highest in pairs kept in small hutches with restricted run access. Its senior authors said: "Rabbits are active and need to be able to hop, run, jump, dig and stretch out fully when lying down."

Does size change what a rabbit eats?

Hay is the main food at every size. The RSPCA says a rabbit diet "should consist mostly of fresh hay and grass (85%), with some leafy greens (10%) and a few pellets or nuggets (5%)." Its advice scales with the rabbit: "always provide a 'rabbit-sized' bundle of good-quality hay every day (it should be as big as they are)." For pellets, it says "For a healthy adult rabbit, allow 25g (approximately an egg cup-full) of nuggets per kilogram of their body weight," and to "adjust the amount given according to individual rabbit’s needs."

The leafy greens are the 10 percent. Our page on whether bunnies can have parsley covers one of them.

Does size change a rabbit's health and care?

The RSPCA says: "Different breeds may have different care needs and may be more prone to certain health problems." It names three cases. "Long-haired breeds will require more frequent brushing to prevent matting," Rex rabbits "may need soft, dry flooring and careful weight monitoring to prevent sore hocks," and "giant breeds that may be more prone to joint and mobility issues." ARBA describes the Rex coat as "short, dense velvet-like" fur and says the Giant Angora's wool "must be shorn as this breed does not moult."

Regular grooming is part of care at every size. The RSPCA says: "Brush your rabbit's coat regularly to keep them in good condition."

Dental problems are common in pet rabbits, PDSA says, and "are usually caused by a diet that's too low in fibre." The RSPCA adds: "Some brachycephalic rabbits (such as some lops, dwarf or mini breeds) and rabbits with other genetic health conditions may be at increased risk of dental issues." ARBA says the English Lop is "Known for having the longest ears of any rabbit breed."

Every rabbit needs exercise and environment enrichment. PDSA says "pet rabbits can get bored easily, so you'll need to give them places to dig, hide and explore."

How long do rabbits live?

The RSPCA says a rabbit "can typically live for 8 to 12 years" if it has a safe home, a good diet, regular health checks, and company, and that some may live longer. Our page on how long pet rabbits live covers what changes that number, including breed and size.

Do rabbits of every size need company?

Rabbits are naturally social creatures. PDSA says: "Rabbits are also very sociable, so it's essential that they live in neutered pairs or groups." The RWAF space figure above is for two rabbits, and RWAF says that "even if a rabbit was to live alone it would still need the same minimum amount of space as two."

Sources

• American Rabbit Breeders Association, "Recognized Breeds." arba.net, and its archived copy.
• RSPCA, "Rabbit care advice." rspca.org.uk. Also "Rabbit environment" (rspca.org.uk), "Rabbit health" (rspca.org.uk), and "Rabbit diet" (rspca.org.uk).
• Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund, "Minimum Space Requirements for Pet Rabbits." rabbitwelfare.co.uk.
• PDSA, "Creating the ideal home for your rabbits." pdsa.org.uk. Also "Dental problems in rabbits" (pdsa.org.uk).
• University of Bristol Veterinary School study on hutch size and run access, reported by Phys.org. phys.org.
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, "Pygmy rabbit." wdfw.wa.gov.
• RabbitPros, "List of Pet Rabbit Sizes by Breed." rabbitpros.com.
• PetEducate, "How Big Do Rabbits Get?" archived copy.

READ NEXT: Best Hamster Brushes: Top Picks for Your Pet's Grooming Needs