Age of a Rabbit in Human Years


While lots of pet stores will be able to tell you exactly when a rabbit was born, it can be very difficult to determine a rabbit’s age once it moves through adolescence to adulthood, this can be a particular problem with adopted or ‘found’ abandoned rabbits, especially for potential adoptees that have reservations around getting attached to a very old rabbit for obvious reasons.  So how can you tell the age of a rabbit?

The most reliable way of telling the age of a rabbit is by looking at the condition of the feet.  A young rabbit will have fully furred heels. An older rabbit will probably have calloused heels due to the duration and pressure on its feet.

After extensive research into this topic, this was the best way I could find to determine a rabbit’s age.  Unfortunately, it’s not 100% accurate.  That said, while discovering how old a rabbit is in years may be almost impossible, we can use this and some other clues to determine if the rabbit is a baby, a young adult, or an elderly rabbit.  So let’s look a little more into this subject.

Ways of Telling How Old a Rabbit is

It’s natural to want to know the age of a rabbit, particularly if it’s one you are considering adopting.  Shelters will often be able to give you an estimate and it’s usually based on the quality of the information they get from the person giving up the pet. 

A baby rabbit

It may even be that the rabbit has been completely abandoned and found without even knowing so much as the poor rabbit’s name.

As a rabbit is covered almost entirely in fur, it has little in the way of distinguishing outward features that point to how old it is.  Although rabbits do look slightly different between adolescence, adulthood, and old age you would still probably struggle to notice any distinct changes even if presented with photographs. 

an elderly rabbit
Baby at 4 Years Old

It’s fair to say that rabbits age pretty well in comparison to us humans (they don’t grey as we do nor lose their teeth). 

Fortunately, despite their ageless looks, there are a number of signs which can help us tell the (approximate) age of our rabbits and we’ve covered these below.

Appearance and Rabbit Age

The first telltale sign of rabbit age is fur condition. 

Rabbits groom themselves religiously several times per day, you may even notice your rabbit grooming itself the second you put it down from a petting session after being touched by our comparatively dirty hands. 

Because of this, you’ll notice that younger rabbits in their prime will have a very clean glossy coat.  However, as they get older rabbits can start to struggle to maintain cleanliness (sometimes as a result of a medical condition).  In the same way that our hair will start to look a little unkempt if we don’t wash it for a few days, so too does a rabbit’s.

Also, elderly rabbits (Particularly those suffering with painful joints or arthritis) are naturally not as flexible as younger ones which can also mean they have difficulty cleaning hard to reach areas such as their butts.

For this reason, older rabbits are much more likely to need a ‘butt bath’ than younger ones. 

Teeth Condition and Rabbit Age

While some may think that looking at the condition of a rabbit’s teeth may be a good way to find out how long a rabbit has been around, this again is not a good measure. 

For example, a young rabbit fed only on a diet of carrots (a high-sugar vegetable) may have terrible teeth while an elderly rabbit that has been fed a healthy diet of timothy hay may still have beautiful gleaming white teeth. 

rabbit teeth
Teeth are not a good measure of rabbit age

It is true however that older rabbits are more likely to suffer from malocclusion (overgrown misaligned incisors) due to the fact that they may eat a little less than younger rabbits, so if the teeth are overgrown, you are probably looking at a rabbit that is well into its adult years.

Skin Condition and Rabbit Age

One more accurate measure described by some vets involves the toughness of a rabbit’s tissue, this measure is said to be particularly noticeable during spaying and neutering procedures with vets describing older rabbits, particularly males who have been impacted long term by testosterone as having very tough skin.  In contrast, a young rabbit has a very soft delicate underbelly.

Foot Condition and Rabbit Age

As mentioned earlier, the feet are probably the biggest clue to a rabbit’s age.  The heel of the rabbit’s feet (tarsus bone) and the point where it meets the rabbit’s foot (the calcaneus bone) is a little like our elbow joint with the skin pulled tight over the heel of the foot. 

This means that the weight of the rabbit puts stress on the heel bone.  Over several years causes the fur to rub away and creates a callus (a tough, dark-colored spot of dead skin with a hard protective surface).  The fact that this usually develops over several years is one of the clearest signs that you are in the presence of an older rabbit.  

Behavior and Rabbit Age

Age catches up with all of us and this includes rabbits.  As such, the way a rabbit behaves can also be an indication of its age (especially when considered along with the other factors described here). 

Allowing the rabbit some supervised freedom during the hours of dawn and dusk (the time when rabbits are most active) and observing activity levels can help you to determine if the rabbit is young or old.

Just as you wouldn’t expect your Granny to be running any marathons, younger rabbits will be a lot more energetic than elderly ones.  Although healthy elderly rabbits can still be ‘full of beans’ they are a lot more likely to suffer from painful conditions such as arthritis, some of which stiffen the joints and cause soreness. 

Naturally, this has an effect on the pet’s mobility and its willingness to do things that come much more naturally to younger rabbits (such as binkying). 

Personally, my younger rabbits are often keen to spend as much time exploring the garden and chasing each other around energetically as possible.  In contrast, my elderly rabbits are usually keen to get back into the warmth of the hutch after much shorter periods. 

Again, every rabbit is different so this is by no means an exact science however, medical and mobility issues are much more common in elderly rabbits than younger specimens.  

Reproductive behavior can also be an indication of how old a rabbit is however, this will only be noticeable providing the rabbit has not been fixed.  Rabbits become sexually active between 3 to 8 months of age (somewhere between adolescent and teenager) but this will vary between breeds. 

Young males reaching sexual maturity may display territorial behavior including honking and possibly circling (if you have been in contact with a female rabbit).  Adult females, usually those under 7 years of age are more likely to exhibit nesting behavior and false pregnancies.

Nesting behavior may occur in sexually mature females

Eating Habits and Rabbit Age

Healthy rabbits generally have a healthy appetite regardless of age, however, some rabbit owners have reported weight loss in older pets.  Once again this will depend on the individual but it’s true that weight loss is a natural phenomenon in many animals reaching their twilight years.  This could be because as they spend more time sleeping and less time eating.  

Determining an Approximate Rabbit Age

Baby rabbits are naturally easy to spot but it’s a lot more difficult to determine the age of a rabbit once it gets a little more independent. Young rabbits are fully weaned around 8 weeks old and at this age will look just like small adults.

Rabbits are fully grown anywhere between 7 months and 1 ½ years of age.  Smaller breeds will likely be fully grown by the time they reach 7 months of age, medium to large breeds can take anywhere between 1 and 1 ½ years to be fully grown.

Providing the rabbit is active and eating well, using scales is the best way to determine if the pet is getting bigger.  Simply monitor the rabbit’s weight for a couple of months, a significant change could indicate that the rabbit was under 18 months of age when you started (or even younger if it’s a Netherland Dwarf).

If you don’t have scales available taking regular photographs alongside an object such as a coffee mug (or teddy bear) can help you to determine if the rabbit is getting any bigger.  An average-sized rabbit that is still growing will likely be under 1 year of age.

In the table below we’ve put some characteristics, you may experience dependant on the approximate age of the rabbit

Age Indicators for Rabbits

Rabbit AgeCharacteristics
Baby (newborn – 3 months)Highly dependent on mother for up to 8 weeks.
Adolescent (3 months – 6 months)Weight loss
High energy levels
Willingness to mate (Honking in males, nesting in females)
Healthy-looking feet and skin
Weight gain and growth
Teenager (6 months – 12 months)High energy levels and mobility
Clean, Glossy, and well-groomed in appearance
Healthy feet and skin
Adult (12 months – 7 years old)High energy levels and mobility
Clean, Glossy, and well groomed in appearance
Healthy feet and skin
Senior Over 7Calloused heels
Tougher skin
Less agile
health and mobility issues (e.g. arthritis)
Less than pristine appearance
Clouded eyes (cataracts)
Weight loss
Mucky bottom

How to Calculate Your Rabbits Age in Human Years

Have you ever wondered how old your 1-year-old rabbit is in human years? Well, we’ve put together a handy easy-to-read rabbit comparison chart to easily help you work out exactly this and more!

A chart to show rabbit age in human years

How Can You Tell How Big a Rabbit Will Get?

Rabbits vary in size and weight depending on breed.  The best way to get a rough idea of how big your rabbit will get is to determine the breed and then the expected weight of that particular breed.  For quick reference, we’ve put together a table of some popular breeds along with their expected size in lbs.

BreedWeight RangeBreedWeight Range
Alaskan 6 – 8.5 lbsFlorida White 4-6lbs
American9 – 12 lbsFrench Lop 10 lbs (+)
American Chequered giant 11 lbs (+) Giant Chinchilla 12 – 16 lbs
American Chinchilla9 – 12 lbsGiant Papillon 13 – 14 lbs
American Fuzzy Lop 3.5 –  4 lbsHarlequin 6.5 – 9.5 lbs
American Sable 7 – 10 lbsHavana 4.5 – 6.5 lbs
English Angora 5 – 7 lbsHimlayan 2.5 – 4.5 lbs
French Angora 7.5 – 10.5 lbsHolland Lop Under 4lbs
Giant Angora 8.5 lbs (+)White Hotot8 – 11lbs
Satin Angora 6.5 – 9.5 lbsJersey Wooley Under 3.5 lbs
Argentes 5 – 8 lbsLilac 5.5 – 8 lbs
Belgian Hare 6 – 9.5 lbsMini Lop 4.5 – 6.5 lbs
Britannia Petite Under 2.5lbsMini Rex 3 – 4.5 lbs
Californian 8 – 12 lbsNetherland Dwarf Under 2.5 lbs
Champagne De A’rgent 9 – 12 lbsNew Zealand 9 – 12 lbs
Chequered Giant 11 lbs (+)Palomino Under 9.5 lbs
Chinchilla 5.5 – 6.5 lbsPolish under 3.5 lbs
Cinammon 8.5 – 11.5lbsRex7.5 – 10.5 lbs
Continental Cinnamon Rhinelander 6.5 – 10 lbs
Crème D’Argent8 – 11 lbsSatin 8.5 – 11 lbs
Dutch 3.5 – 5.5 lbsSilver 4 – 7 lbs
Dwarf HototUnder 3.5 lbsSilver Fox 9 – 12 lbs
English Lop 9 lbs (+)Silver Marten 6 – 9.5 lbs
English Spot 5 – 8lbsStandard Chinchilla 5 – 7.5 lbs
Flemish Giant 13 lbs (+)

Wrap Up

So, this is our best advice for determining the approximate age of a rabbit.  Although knowing the rabbit’s age is advantageous when taking one on don’t let not knowing put you off.  Older rabbits have a lot of love to give and will be incredibly grateful to be given another chance to live out its days happily as your new companion.

Sources

https://www.thesprucepets.com

Further Reading

How to Tell the Age of a Rabbit cuteness.com

Life Stages of Rabbits melbournerabbitclinic.com

How to Tell a Rabbits Age ourfunkypets.com

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you tell the age of a baby rabbit?

Baby rabbits are born hairless, blind, and deaf, and remain in the nest for their first two weeks of life. By week three, they will start to grow fur and open their eyes. At around four to six weeks old, they will start to venture out of the nest and become more active. By eight weeks old, baby rabbits are fully weaned and can be safely separated from their mother.

How can you tell the age of a juvenile rabbit?

Juvenile rabbits are typically between three and six months old. At this age, their adult teeth will start to grow, which can help you estimate their age. You can also look at their size and overall development, as rabbits grow rapidly in their first six months of life.

How can you tell the age of an adult rabbit?

After six months of age, it can be more difficult to tell the age of a rabbit. However, you can look for signs of aging such as graying fur, a decrease in activity level, and the appearance of lumps or bumps under the skin. Dental problems can also be an indication of age, as rabbits’ teeth continue to grow throughout their lives.

How can you tell the age of a wild rabbit?

It can be difficult to tell the age of a wild rabbit, as they may not exhibit the same developmental milestones as domestic rabbits. However, you can look for signs of maturity such as a fully grown body, well-developed muscles, and worn-down teeth. You can also observe their behavior and activity level, as older rabbits may move more slowly or appear less agile.

How accurate are age estimates for rabbits?

Age estimates for rabbits can be somewhat imprecise, especially for adult rabbits. However, by looking at developmental milestones, tooth growth, and signs of aging, you can make an educated guess as to a rabbit’s age. It’s also important to note that rabbits age at different rates depending on their breed, environment, and overall health.

Darren

Darren is the founder and editor at Bunny Advice and has been caring for rabbits for over a decade. He has a passion for helping animals and sharing his experience and knowledge with others.

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