If your question is “how long do rabbits live”, you must first decide on which type of rabbit you are interested in, since wild rabbits usually have a shorter lifespan compared to domestic rabbits.

That is not set in stone, though, and if you want to know more about "how long do rabbits live in captivity," and "why are pet rabbits prone to having a shorter life span," keep reading!

Since rabbits living in the wild usually live only one or two years, because of factors that contribute to shortening their lifespan, such as predators, disease, lack of proper sustenance and tough weather conditions, you might expect them to thrive in a captive environment.

But is that the actual reality of rabbits living as pets in one’s apartment?

How Long Do Rabbits Live in Captivity?

House rabbits have a greater chance to live longer, if taken care of properly, in favourable conditions.

A rabbit’s lifespan at home can vary between 4 and 12 years. Rabbits that are farmed for meat, on the other hand, do not have the same fate as pet rabbits. This type of rabbit has the shortest lifespan among its peers, with only 8 weeks to live until it lands up on a plate.

How Long Do Rabbits Live as Pets?

According to a research made by The Royal Veterinary Society (RVS) in 2019, in which over 6500 British bunnies were tested in terms of health and longevity, there is an average lifespan of pet rabbits, which is shorter than you’d think.

The results showed that the average lifespan of a pet rabbit is only 4.3 years. An essential factor that makes a difference in the average lifespan of a pet rabbit is the sex, with males reaching an average life cycle of 5.2 years, while female pet rabbits only live for 3.7 years.

There are other factors to consider as well when explaining why some rabbits live longer than others.

Why Do Some Rabbits Live Longer Than Others – Essential Factors

Pet rabbits have different lifespan length depending on size, sex, breed and living circumstances and this is mainly the reason some breeds of rabbits live longer, while others have a shorter life cycle.

If you are looking for a pet rabbit, know that males live longer than female rabbits.

Rabbits are like dogs, in the sense that larger rabbit breeds have a shorter lifespan compared to smaller rabbit breeds.

How Long Do Rabbits Live in the Wild?

In the wild, rabbits do not have an exceptionally long cycle of life.

They are exposed to predators, they can suffer from a lack of proper nourishment and have to face difficult weather, all of which lead to disease and a drastic reduction of the lifespan of wild rabbits.

Why Do Rabbits Have A Short Life & What Do Rabbits Usually Die From?

The primary cause of death for pet rabbits is, in 10.9% of the cases, a condition called flystrike. This condition is also called myiasis, and it is triggered by flies that lay eggs within the fur of pet rabbits and wild rabbits.

This leads to sores on the surface of the rabbit’s skin and it lays the ground for a deadly infection. Another condition that rabbits usually die from is anorexia, which happens in 4.9% of the rabbits, both in captivity and in the wild.

The most common reason rabbits have their lifespan shortened by anorexia is dental disease, but there may be other factors as well. Collapse is another reason rabbits live so short, and it happens in 4.9% of the cases.

Why are rabbits collapsing? This stage can be reached because of infectious disease, owner’s neglect, prolonged anorexia, trauma and heat stress, and respiratory distress or urinary obstruction.

Other Reasons Captive Rabbits Have A Short Life Span

Besides the major factors that lead to a pet rabbit’s death, there are other issues that can cause illness and shorten the lifespan of pet rabbits.

A house rabbit needs to have its claws trimmed regularly and correctly. Overgrown nails are dangerous and can cause poor health in rabbits.

Pet rabbits do not have activities to help them keep their nails short, such as digging or scratching hard surfaces, as it is the case for wild rabbits.

If left untrimmed, a pet rabbit’s nails will grow so large that will hinder its movement and lead to limb and feet defects.

Overgrown rabbit teeth can lead to health issues. In order to avoid this, pet rabbits need to snack constantly, as they would in the wild. Just like guinea pigs, rabbits are grazers, and they have a complex digestive system.

This means that if they have a poor diet or if they suffer from jaw injuries and malfunctions, their teeth grow so large that they eventually prevent the animal from being able to eat properly.

Fortunately, for overgrown incisors, the problem can be fixed by the veterinarian with a dental burr. You should not, under any circumstance, try to fix your pet rabbit’s dental issues at home, by trying to clip down the teeth.

A lack of grooming can make your rabbit sick. Poor care and environments lead to a short lifespan, and unfortunately, rabbits do not show any signs of health issues until they reach an advanced state of illness.

This happens because they have an intrinsic fear of showing weakness, inherited from wild rabbits, that need to avoid showing any sign of disease in order to stay safe from predators.

Last, but not least, always check your pet rabbit for a dirty bottom.

If you identify a dirty behind, there is usually an underlying problem that is causing it and get your bunny to a veterinarian. If left unattended, this issue can lead to chemical burns and wounds, which are prone to becoming infected.

What Breed of Rabbit Lives the Longest?

There are a couple of rabbit breeds that live longer than the average pet rabbit. Dwarf rabbits, English lop-eared rabbits and lion heads are breeds that beat the average lifespan of a pet rabbit of only 4.3 years.

How long do dwarf rabbits live? 10 to 12 years is the average lifespan of dwarf rabbit breeds. Larger rabbit breeds only live for 5 or 6 years in favourable conditions.

How long do lion head rabbits live? An intelligent and docile rabbit breed, lion heads can live up to 7-9 year in an environment that does not expose them to a lot of stress.

How long do lop-eared rabbits live? If they are provided with an environment where they can have lots of exercises and if they are not exposed to a cold atmosphere, since they can lose a lot of heat through the ears, English lop-eared rabbits can live indoors for up to 5-7 years.

How long do unspayed rabbits live? Usually spaying female bunnies extends their lifespan, since unspayed female rabbits are prone to health issues, such as uterine cancer. Unspayed rabbits have a risk of dying early because of various health problems, which leaves them with a life cycle of only 3 to 5 years. Spaying allows rabbits to live up to 8 to 12 years.

Other Questions

How long do rabbits live as a pet?

The lifespan of rabbits usually depends on their environment and how much care you give them. Rabbits live for 5 to 8 years, but if given proper care they can live up to 12 years. The life of pet rabbits is between 6 to 12 years.

To make your rabbit live longer, give them the right diet according to their species and provide them comfortable housing and companionship. To keep them content and to live a long life, they require enrichment and mental stimulation. Get your rabbit vaccinated annually to prevent any illness and diseases. 

Do rabbits Recognise their owners?

Yes, rabbits can recognize their owners. Just like cats and dogs, rabbits also know their owners well. Rabbits establish a bond with their owners, and there are many telltale signs to watch out for. They can recognize their owner by voice and sight and can even come to them on command.

Rabbits also follow their owners from room to room and jump on their lap when they are called. Spending time with your bunny is the most significant aspect in motivating your rabbit to recognize and react to you. Building trust is also very important because once that bond is established, your rabbit will stay with you and follow you everywhere. 

Is it OK to keep a wild bunny as a pet?

It is not recommended to keep a wild bunny as a pet. Wild rabbits differ from domestic rabbits and are more skittish. It is also very difficult to handle wild rabbits because they kick you and try to bite you when you go near them.

Also, you can’t domesticate wild rabbits so it is better to get a domestic rabbit as a pet. Wild rabbits usually stay away from their nests so they can avoid the predators and only return for a few minutes when no one is around. These rabbits can also transmit potentially dangerous diseases to humans such as rabies.