Content
- Origin of the California Rabbit
- Physical Characteristics of the California Rabbit
- California Rabbit Personality
- Caring for a California Rabbit
- California Rabbit Feeding
- California Rabbit Health
In addition to being charming animals, rabbits are excellent companions for people of all ages and different personalities, thanks to their kind character and great intelligence. If you are considering adopting a lagomorph as a pet, you need to know more about the California rabbit, a breed of american origin which stands out for its soft fur and its very affectionate temperament towards its relatives.
In this form of PeritoAnimal, we will tell you everything about the origin, the physical characteristics and the character of the california rabbit. In addition, you will also be able to learn about the fundamental cares that are necessary to provide a healthy and happy life for your lagomorph companion. Remember that at PeritoAnimal you will be able to discover many other breeds of rabbits in our complete guides.
Source
- America
- U.S
Origin of the California Rabbit
As its name suggests, the california rabbit is a breed developed in california, in the United States, during the 1920s. Its development is attributed to the Mr. George West, which selectively bred Himalayan rabbits with American Chinchilla rabbits to obtain a new breed that stands out for its dense fur that is at the same time soft and delicate. Furthermore, some theories claim that the first offspring obtained from these crosses could have been crossed with New Zealand rabbits to obtain the appearance that currently characterizes the California rabbit.
Originally, the breed was developed and "promoted" thinking about the exploitation not only of its coat, but also of its meat, whose consumption was very popular in the beginning of the 20th century. gaining popularity as company animals.
Physical Characteristics of the California Rabbit
The most characteristic trait of california rabbits is their abundant coat formed by two layers of mantle which, despite being dense and thick, should be soft and pleasant to the touch. With respect to coat color, ARBA only recognizes standard colors consisting of a white base with black pigmentation on its nose, tail, feet and ears. However, the British Rabbit Council (BRC) in the UK also recognizes California rabbits with dark brown, chocolate, lilac and blue pigmentation, in addition to the traditional standard variety.
These lagomorphs also feature a robust body with well-developed musculature and generally weigh between 3.5 and 4 kg into adulthood. Its ears are long, measuring up to 3 cm, with rounded tips and usually erect, as a sign that the rabbit is alert to its surroundings. Also, it has red eyes that are medium in size.
An interesting curiosity about the metabolism of the california rabbit is that the pigmentation of their coat can react in different ways depending on the climate of the place where they live.. When they live in colder cities, these rabbits tend to have darker parts of their body, while in the mantle of those Californians that live in more temperate or warm regions, the white base with the classic pigmented areas clearly predominates.
California Rabbit Personality
As famous as the peculiar pigmentation of its coat is the friendly and affectionate character which features the california rabbit, making it one of the best breeds of rabbits for families with children. These lagomorphs stand out for being very curious, they love to be free and freely explore their surroundings. But we must be careful that they do not hide in dangerous places, as well as providing a safe environment and properly delimited to prevent our rabbit from escaping.
Despite their great curiosity, the california rabbits can be a little shy when they arrive in their new home or when they meet for the first time with an unknown person or animal. Fortunately, these adorable rodents are usually very easy to socialize, because with the help of positive reinforcements and counting on a favorable environment, they adapt quickly to their environment and are willing to interact with their new family. Logically, like any other type of pet, California rabbits also need to have their quiet moments respected, especially when it comes to rest and feeding.
Also, the california rabbit has a great intelligence and when he is well stimulated, he tends to be very willing to learn. For this reason, when adopting a rabbit, it is important to commit to its education and mental stimulation, presenting it with different orders of obedience, tricks, tasks and varied activities.
Caring for a California Rabbit
One of the main cares of the california rabbit is the maintenance of your delicate mantle. The ideal is to brush it at least three times a week, always using an appropriate brush to avoid breaking the fiber of your soft hair. Your rabbit will need to get used to this completely new experience for him and for this reason you should be patient and calm down to reassure him before you start brushing him. Don't forget that lagomorphs are very sensitive and are always on the alert and can be easily scared. The idea is to make your rabbit assimilate the grooming sessions as moments of relaxation, pampering and mutual trust.
As we mentioned in the previous section, it will be very important to stimulate your rabbit's mind, both to educate him and to prevent symptoms of stress or boredom. To teach you new tasks, activities or tricks, we recommend using the clicker, the same device we normally use to facilitate the training of dogs and cats.Also, you can use small pieces of fruits and vegetables good for your health as a positive reinforcement, to reward you and encourage you to keep learning.
In addition to working on their intelligence, California rabbits also need physical activity to strengthen their bodies and expend energy to maintain a stable behavior. Ideally, they leave their cages at least 2-3 times a day and have a safe, open space where they can run, jump and explore their surroundings. It is worth remembering that physical exercise will also be essential in the management of a healthy weight, avoiding complications arising from obesity in rabbits.
Good hygiene is also one of the key precautions for rabbits (even Californians), preventing them from coming into contact with potentially pathogenic microorganisms. The ideal is clean the droppings daily, wet hay and food debris in your cage. Drinkers and feeders should be washed at least three times a week, and your lagomorph's entire cage should be sanitized at least once a week.
California Rabbit Feeding
California rabbits will need complete and balanced nutrition to fully develop their physical, cognitive, emotional and social capabilities. The rabbit's diet must completely meet the specific nutritional needs of each stage of its life, avoiding the negative consequences of possible nutritional deficiencies. Hay will be the most important element of the diet of adult rabbits, thanks to its high fiber content that stimulates intestinal transit and facilitates digestion, preventing gastrointestinal problems.
Your rabbit will need to have fresh, good quality hay always available in your enclosure, but you will need to monitor it regularly so that it does not get wet with water or come into contact with urine. Humidity favors the proliferation of bacteria, fungi and other pathogens that can compromise your rabbit's health. You can also offer him vegetables, fruits and vegetables, always in appropriate amounts according to your size, weight, age and lifestyle. It is also essential to provide your rabbit with optimal hydration, always leaving fresh, clean water in its cage.
Finally, it should not be forgotten that rabbits need to wear their teeth as they grow constantly throughout their lives. In specialty stores, you can find organic wood and fruit bunches that are appropriate to give your rabbit. But make sure they are from natural sources so they don't contain chemicals that could harm your lagomorph's organism.
California Rabbit Health
The California rabbit, like all rabbits, is better adapted to temperate climates, usually suffering greatly from high temperatures. For this reason, it is essential to properly control the temperature of your rabbit's environment during the hottest days, in order to prevent excessive heat and sunlight from causing heatstroke, burns or other risks to its well-being. in addition to leaving fresh and clean water always at your disposal, don't forget to put your cage in a room or environment that is cool, shaded and has good ventilation.
However, rabbits are also sensitive to cold and sudden changes in temperature. Even though it has a dense blanket that helps to conserve heat, your rabbit will need your help to protect itself from low temperatures, preventing burns, colds and even hypothermia pictures. So remember to provide your rabbit with a properly heated shelter during the winter and never leave it outside.
In addition to suffering from adverse weather conditions, the california rabbit can also develop some common rabbit diseases, such as rabies, turalemia, viral, bacterial or fungal infections, skin problems such as scabies or dermatophytosis, among others. In order to maintain good health and enjoy everyday life in your home, your rabbit will need to have adequate preventive medicine. For this reason, don't forget to take him to a specialized veterinarian every 6 months for a preventive consultation and to always keep your vaccines and deworming up to date.