angora rabbit

The dwarf angora rabbits are one of the breeds most characteristic of this type of animal. Their fur, which is especially long, silky, and dense, is one of the most demanded within the textile and fur industry, as it shelters more than other fibers and fabrics. Experts in Turkey locate the origin of the Angora dwarf rabbit. However, in Europe, this breed’s development and evolution began, driven by economic interests, especially in France and England in the 18th century. Regarding its name, it can be said that it takes it from Angora cats due to its great physical resemblance. Next, we discover everything you need to keep in mind if you want to have an Angora dwarf rabbit as a pet.

ANGORA DWARF RABBIT CHARACTERISTICS

Angora Rabbit

It is a type of small lagomorph, whose adult weight ranges between 2 and 3.5 kilos. There are up to four varieties of the Angora dwarf rabbit according to their morphological characteristics: English, French, giant, and satin. The most striking thing about these animals is their extremely long hair, which can come in different shades, the most common being gray, white, and cinnamon. It covers the entire body except for the ears, something that would make it impossible for these specimens to live in freedom since if they were not cared for and clean, they could not move easily and would suffer frequent infections.

Regarding the temperament of these animals, we must highlight their docility. They are very tame and calm rabbits, possibly due to the abundant fur they have, which limits their movement. In addition, their longevity can reach 10 years. Their soft character makes this breed the most ideal for leaning towards when choosing a pet, especially in small children at home.

However, Angora dwarf rabbits are very territorial in their coexistence with other specimens, even fighting. So you should ask yourself if it is a good idea to have more than one of these animals at home. Regarding the breeding of this type of rabbits, the incubation period lasts a month. Still, the female does not show symptoms of being in heat, so it will be necessary to encourage unions between a couple throughout the year.

BASIC CARE OF THE DWARF ANGORA RABBIT

Angora Rabbit

To keep an Angora dwarf rabbit in the best conditions, the diet it follows must be adapted to what all rabbits usually eat, regardless of the breed to which they belong. They are herbivorous animals that feed mainly on forages, so vegetables and hay also contribute to a healthy and balanced diet. In contrast, fruits and vegetables should be limited to a maximum of three times a week. However, feed prepared specially for dwarf rabbits, which you can easily find on the market, is the base diet for these animals.

But for the well-being of the rabbit, other essential points must also be taken into account. Being a lagomorph and similar to what happens with rodents, they need to have something that they can nibble on to control their teeth’ continuous growth. For this reason, you can place a calcium block in its cage, which will benefit it in this regard, but it will also take it as a toy and serve as a food supplement. Also, blocks of an untreated wood (always other than cedar, which is toxic to rabbits) allow them to wear down teeth. They are excellent because they help them avoid the development of dental diseases such as dental malocclusion, which consists of the disproportionate growth of the rabbit’s dentition.

Rabbit hygiene