Cinnamon

In this guide

A rust-coloured, all-purpose rabbit born from a happy breeding accident in 1960s Montana.

Quick facts

• Origin: Missoula, Montana, created in 1962 by siblings Fred and Belle Houseman through a chain of crosses involving New Zealand, Chinchilla, Californian, and Checkered Giant rabbits
• Adult weight: 3.9 to 5 kilograms (about 8.5 to 11 pounds)
• Lifespan: 5 to 8 years
• Coat: Short, dense, and glossy, in a distinctive rust or ground-cinnamon shade with grey ticking
• Best suited for: Families and first-time owners who want a substantial, easygoing rabbit with genuinely unusual colouring

What they are like

Cinnamons are generally docile, calm, and friendly, settling well into family life once accustomed to their surroundings.

They tend to be curious and enjoy attention, making them engaging companions for households with time to interact daily.

Their steady nature makes them relatively easy to handle for a rabbit of this size.

Feeding and diet

• Fresh hay should always be available and forms the bulk of a healthy diet
• About three tablespoons of pellets daily suits most adults, adjusted for body condition
• Fresh greens in daily rotation support digestion
• This breed can look solidly built even when carrying excess weight, so body condition is worth checking by touch rather than appearance alone

Grooming and everyday care

• A weekly brush is generally enough for this short, glossy coat
• Brush a little more during seasonal moults
• Standard nail and ear checks apply monthly

Health watch

• A generally hardy breed without notable hereditary conditions beyond the usual dental and digestive issues common to all rabbits
• Weight management matters given how easily excess weight can hide under this breed's solid build
• Routine appetite and weight checks remain the best early warning system

Keeping one in India

The Cinnamon's short coat and manageable size make it a reasonably practical choice for Indian households, with the usual summer precautions around shade and hydration.

This is still a fairly young and uncommon breed even internationally, so it is generally sourced through dedicated hobby breeders rather than general pet shops.

Article content © Ravi Teja. All rights reserved.