Have you ever wondered just how big your fluffy rabbit will get? Rabbits come in a huge range of sizes, from tiny 2 pound dwarfs to giant 22 pound flemish beasts! Understanding how big your bunny will grow allows better care and housing. But it’s often hard to picture the final dimensions. Will your rabbit stay small enough to hold in your hands, or will it grow to dog-like proportions? Read on to find out exactly when rabbits stop growing, size ranges by breed, and a fun comparison chart featuring everything from soccer balls to newborn babies. You’ll learn what to expect from your rabbit’s full grown size, because big things come in furry packages!
When Do Rabbits Stop Growing?
Rabbits reach full growth between 6 to 12 months old. The growth rate depends on the breed and can vary quite a bit. Smaller rabbit breeds like Netherland Dwarfs reach adult size faster, while larger breeds like Flemish Giants take longer to finish growing.
On average, most rabbits complete the majority of their growth by 6 months old. From 6 to 12 months they put on final weight and bone density. After 12 months, rabbits are considered fully grown adults. Their growth plates have fused and they will not get any bigger.
Some key facts on rabbit growth:
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Baby rabbits grow very quickly in the first few months. They can gain up to an ounce per day from birth up to 12 weeks old.
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Wild rabbits reach adult size at 3 to 5 months old. Domestic rabbits take a little longer, reaching adult size at 6 to 12 months.
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Larger rabbit breeds continue growing longer than smaller breeds. A Flemish Giant may not be fully grown until 18 months old.
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Female rabbits tend to be slightly larger than males of the same breed.
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neutered/spayed rabbits may grow a little bit larger than unaltered rabbits.
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Adult rabbit size can range from 2 lbs for a Netherland Dwarf up to 22 lbs for a Flemish Giant.
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A rabbit's growth rate slows down significantly after 6 months as they near their full adult size. Weight gain after 12 months is minimal.
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Rabbits reach skeletal maturity between 6-18 months. This is when the growth plates close and bone length stops increasing.
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Muscle and fat accumulation continue longer than skeletal growth. Rabbits gain filling out and body condition until 18-24 months old.
So in summary, rabbits grow quickly from birth up to 6 months old, with the growth rate slowing down after this point. Most breeds will reach their adult size between 6-12 months old. Large breeds may continue putting on some weight up to 18 months old. Once a rabbit is 12 months old, it is considered fully grown with very minimal size increases after this age.
How Big Do Rabbits Grow?
Rabbit sizes can vary dramatically by breed. The smallest domestic rabbit breeds may weigh only 2-3 lbs as adults. The largest breeds can weigh over 20 lbs when fully grown!
Here are some averages for full grown rabbit sizes by breed category:
- Dwarf breeds – 2 to 4 lbs
- Small breeds – 4 to 6 lbs
- Medium breeds – 6 to 9 lbs
- Large breeds – 9 to 11 lbs
- Giant breeds – over 11 lbs
Some examples of breed sizes:
- Netherland Dwarf – 2 to 2.5 lbs
- Holland Lop – 3 to 4 lbs
- Mini Rex – 3.5 to 4.5 lbs
- Polish – 3.5 to 5 lbs
- Mini Lop – 4 to 6 lbs
- Lionhead – 3.5 to 5 lbs
- English Angora – 5 to 7.5 lbs
- American Fuzzy Lop – 4 to 6 lbs
- French Lop – 9 to 11.5 lbs
- New Zealand – 9 to 12 lbs
- Californian – 8 to 10.5 lbs
- Chinchilla – 7 to 11 lbs
- Flemish Giant – 10 to 22 lbs
The largest domestic rabbit breed is the Flemish Giant, which can weigh up to 22 pounds! Compare that to the tiny 2 pound Netherland Dwarf.
Some breeds also have specific size standards. For example, a dwarf hotot rabbit must weigh under 3.5 lbs according to ARBA standards. Show quality English lops need to be at least 9 lbs.
When looking at pet store rabbits, the breed may not be known. But knowing the projected full grown size can help when deciding which rabbit to adopt. Avoid picking the smallest bunny, since this could just mean it is younger and has more growing to do. Instead look for a rabbit over 6 months old if size is a concern.
With proper care and a healthy diet, most rabbits will reach an average ideal size for their breed. Larger than normal or smaller than normal adult weights can indicate potential health problems. Be sure to track your rabbit's growth and discuss any concerns with an exotics vet.
Rabbit Size Comparison Chart
| Breed | Average Adult Weight | Fun Size Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Netherland Dwarf | 2 – 2.5 lbs | 5 sticks of butter |
| Holland Lop | 3 – 4 lbs | 1 soccer ball |
| Mini Rex | 3.5 – 4.5 lbs | 5 cups of flour |
| Mini Lop | 4 – 6 lbs | 6 apples |
| Lionhead | 3.5 – 5 lbs | Small pumpkin |
| English Angora | 5 – 7.5 lbs | Watermelon |
| French Lop | 9 – 11.5 lbs | Medium sized dog |
| New Zealand | 9 – 12 lbs | Newborn human baby |
| Flemish Giant | 13 – 22 lbs | Small turkey |
To help understand just how big pet rabbit breeds can get, here's a chart comparing their sizes to some everyday objects. While averages are given, be aware rabbits can fall anywhere in the weight range depending on genetics, diet, and other factors.
The smallest breeds like the Netherland Dwarf and Holland Lop stay quite tiny, similar to the size of a few sticks of butter or a soccer ball.
Medium sized rabbits compare to common kitchen items like a bag of flour or apples. Larger breeds get to the dimensions of a watermelon or even a newborn human baby!
And on the upper end, giant breeds like the Flemish tips the scales at an impressive 20+ pounds – about the same as a smaller dog or turkey!
Remember that each rabbit is an individual. Care and genetics play a big role in determining adult size within a breed range. But this chart helps illustrate the amazing variety of sizes available in domestic rabbits today. Whether you want a tiny 2 pound snuggler or a larger than life 20 pound flemish giant, there's a perfect fit waiting for you!
References:
https://rabbitbreeders.us/questions-and-answers/what-age-do-rabbits-stop-growing/
https://www.rabbitsforsale.com/questions-and-answers/what-age-do-rabbits-stop-growing/