Rex

In this guide

The original velvet-coated rabbit, larger and calmer than its Mini Rex cousin.

Quick facts

• Origin: France, arising from a natural fur mutation discovered in the 1920s
• Adult weight: 3.4 to 4.8 kilograms (about 7.5 to 10.5 pounds)
• Lifespan: 5 to 8 years
• Coat: Short, dense, upright plush fur, the original rex texture that all shorter rex breeds descend from
• Best suited for: Owners with more indoor space, and those drawn to a larger, easy-care, gentle-natured rabbit

What they are like

Standard Rex rabbits tend to be calm and easygoing, often described as one of the gentler large breeds.

Their size makes them look imposing, but most individuals are placid and enjoy being near their owners rather than constantly on the move.

Because of their size, handling technique matters, always support the hindquarters fully to avoid injury.

Feeding and diet

• Given their larger frame, Rex rabbits need proportionally more hay, ideally a pile close to their own body size available at all times
• Three to four tablespoons of pellets daily is a reasonable starting point for an adult, adjusted to body condition
• Fresh greens in generous daily portions support digestion in a bigger gut
• Fruit should remain an occasional treat, since a larger appetite can quickly translate into excess weight

Grooming and everyday care

• The velvet coat needs little more than an occasional wipe-down, it does not mat and sheds relatively cleanly
• As with the Mini Rex, provide soft flooring to prevent sore hocks, since the fur offers less natural padding
• Larger nails need trimming roughly every four to six weeks

Health watch

• Sore hocks are the main condition to watch for, arising from the thin coat combined with a heavier body
• Being a larger breed, joint strain from being dropped or from slippery flooring is a real risk, so flooring should offer good grip
• Routine gut health monitoring, watching appetite and droppings daily, catches problems early

Keeping one in India

A Rex rabbit needs meaningfully more space than the dwarf and mini breeds on this list, which is worth planning for before bringing one into a small apartment.

The short coat again works in this breed's favour during Indian summers, though the larger body mass means heat stress can still set in quickly without shade and cooling.

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