Rabbits are popular pets, especially with children. They are cute and like to be petted. It’s good to know, however, that there is a wide range of rabbit breeds. There are even giant breeds, which require slightly different care than dwarf breeds. We asked the breeder Nikola Čapková about how to take care of the giant breeds and what to keep in mind before getting a giant rabbit.
Which breeds fall into the giant category?
Among the most popular are the Belgian Giant, the French Ram, the German Checkered Giant, and the Moravian Blue. These rabbits weigh over 5 kg, so they are no dwarves.
Is the care of giant breeds any different? If so, how?
The care differs especially in the area of feeding. A giant rabbit needs a larger home, with some of the breeds having huge ears, which means that the height of the rabbit’s shelter will also be needed to be taken into account. When it comes to food, these rabbits eat a lot.
What does a giant rabbit need?
Giant rabbits need, above all, enough space. Putting them into a meter-by-meter cage is certainly not possible. Therefore, many people choose a rabbit hutch, but if the rabbit is a pet and not a breeding animal, a pen or paddock is worth considering. For lop-eared rabbits, I would focus on suitable bedding – some of them have long ears that can easily get dirty.
What should we prepare for before we get a giant rabbit?
Be sure to think about the financial and time aspects. Rabbits of giant breeds need enough bedding, feed, and we should also consider the time needed to clean their large pens. Next, we need to ask ourselves whether we can handle such a large animal, whether we have a place for it at home. If we answer these questions with a ‘Yes’, then all we need to do is to choose between a rabbit with lop ears or erect ears.
Do rabbits of the giant breeds require more time for physical activity?
The large breeds are rather calm in nature. For example, the rabbit hop discipline is out of the question with these breeds, since their bodies are too heavy and their bones and joints would suffer. Although they know how to have fun, they prefer toys or cuddling. Of course, they can be taught simple commands like spinning or standing on their hind legs. Rabbits are happy to do so in exchange for a good treat.
How different is the amount of feed that giant rabbits need?
From my own experience, it is about twice what small rabbits need (in my case, I am comparing a French Ram with a small Tan Rabbit). Of course, there is a big difference whether we feed with cheap fattening dry food or a quality brand. The feed ratio may vary slightly between different brands.
Are rabbits of giant breeds suitable for apartments?
Yes, definitely! People often get the larger breeds for their apartments. These pets are a little less demanding than a dog but similar in size. They are calmer in nature, so you don’t need to worry about chasing them all around the apartment. Another plus is their calm and even temperament, which makes them the ideal pets.
What should future owners prepare for them?
Above all, lots of love and a lot of hand for cuddling. Other than that, prepare enough space and a decent supply of feed, especially hay, which forms the dietary basis of all rabbits. They like grinding their teeth on it.
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