Have you ever wondered how old your new adopted rabbit is? Determining the age of a bunny can be tricky, especially if you don’t know their history. However, there are ways to make an educated guess! By looking for key milestones in their early development, you can approximate the age of a young rabbit under a year old. For adult rabbits over a year old, subtle physical and behavioral changes can provide clues to whether they are young, middle aged or a senior. Join us as we explore the signs to watch for to reveal the approximate age of your mysterious adopted rabbit. This knowledge will help you provide them with the best possible care.
How to tell the age of young rabbits (less than 1 year)
Determining the age of a young rabbit under a year old involves looking at key developmental milestones. Here are some guidelines:
1-2 weeks
- Eyes are closed, won't open until 10-14 days old
- Very limited mobility, can't stand up on their own
- Will make squeaking noises when handled
- Still nursing from mother
2-3 weeks
- Eyes open around 10-14 days
- Starting to explore outside of nest
- Can stand up on back legs briefly
- Continues nursing but starts eating solid foods like hay and pellets
1 month
- Eyes are fully open
- Moving around well, hopping short distances
- Baby fur is replaced by adult fur
- Eating more solid foods, nursing less
- Baby teeth start coming in
2-4 months
- Very active and curious
- All adult teeth have come in
- Less reliance on nursing, fully weaned around 12 weeks
- Learns behaviors like using litter box
4-6 months
- Reaching adult size
- Maturing sexually but too young to breed
- Adult-like appearance and personality
- May try to mount other rabbits
6-12 months
- Physically mature but still young
- Can breed around 6 months for females, 8 months for males
- Still excitable and playful
- May display some hormonal behaviors like circling
How to approximate the age of adult rabbits
Once a rabbit is past a year old, their age can only be approximated through physical signs and behavior clues.
Young adult rabbits
- 1-3 years old
- Reaching full adult weight of 4-6 lbs
- Very active and energetic
- Bright, clear eyes
- Healthy coat
Middle aged
- 3-5 years old
- Less energy, sleeps more
- Early greying of fur around face
- Possible minor health issues emerge
Senior rabbits
- 5-10+ years old
- Noticeably slower and less active
- Grey fur on face and body
- May have cataracts, arthritis, dull coat
- Higher risk for health problems
The average lifespan of a pet rabbit is 8-12 years. With proper care, some live into their teens. While it can be tricky to know an adopted rabbit's exact age, paying attention to their development and signs of aging can provide a rough estimate. Vet exams checking teeth and overall health can also help determine approximate age. The most important thing is to provide plenty of love and proper care to give adopted bunnies a happy home, regardless of their age.