How Long Do Rabbits Live?
Short answer: a pet rabbit kept indoors with good care usually lives 8 to 12 years, and some reach 14 or more. Smaller breeds tend to live longer than giant breeds.
Rabbit lifespan by size
| Rabbit | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|
| Dwarf and small breeds (Netherland Dwarf, Holland Lop, Mini Rex) | 8-12 years, sometimes more |
| Medium breeds (Dutch, Mini Lop, Rex) | 7-10 years |
| Giant breeds (Flemish Giant, French Lop) | 5-8 years |
| Wild rabbits | often 1-2 years because of predators and disease |
Pet rabbits used to be thought of as short-lived, mostly because many were kept alone in small hutches outdoors. Indoor rabbits that are spayed or neutered, eat mostly hay and have room to run live much longer.
Rabbit age in human years
Rabbits are grown up at about 6 months, which is like a 15-year-old person. Using a 10 year lifespan as "old age" (about 80 in human terms), the pet age calculator gives:
| Rabbit age | About this old in human years | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 15 | Teenager |
| 1 year | 18 | Young adult |
| 2 years | 25 | Adult |
| 4 years | 39 | Adult |
| 6 years | 53 | Middle aged |
| 8 years | 66 | Senior |
| 10 years | 80 | Senior |
| 12 years | 94 | Very old |
What shortens a rabbit's life
- Wrong diet. Rabbits need unlimited grass hay (about 80% of the diet), fresh greens and only a little pellet food. Too many pellets, fruit or treats cause dental disease, obesity and gut stasis.
- Not spaying females. Unspayed does have a high risk of uterine cancer as they age; spaying removes it.
- Living alone in a small hutch. Rabbits need company and space: the Rabbit Welfare Association recommends at least 10 × 6 ft for a pair. Check your setup with the small pet cage size calculator.
- Missed illness. Rabbits hide pain. A rabbit that stops eating or pooping for more than 12 hours needs a vet the same day.
- Heat and predators for outdoor rabbits, and diseases like myxomatosis and RHDV2, which vaccines prevent in many places.
How to help your rabbit live longer
- Unlimited hay, fresh water, and leafy greens every day.
- Spay or neuter, and keep two rabbits together.
- Plenty of room to run every day, indoors if possible.
- A yearly checkup with a rabbit-savvy vet, including teeth.
- Vaccinate against RHDV2 where it is available.
Expecting babies? A rabbit's pregnancy lasts about 31 days: see the gestation calculator.
Sources: House Rabbit Society; Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund; Merck Veterinary Manual (rabbits). Human-year figures are a simple comparison, not a medical age.
Try the pet age calculator
Enter your own numbers below, or open the full pet age calculator with the formula and more examples.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Your pet may differ: ask your vet. Terms
Frequently asked questions
How long do pet rabbits live?
Usually 8 to 12 years indoors with good care. Small breeds often live longer than giant breeds, which typically live 5 to 8 years.
How old is a 5 year old rabbit in human years?
About 46, using maturity at 6 months and a 10 year lifespan.
Do indoor rabbits live longer than outdoor rabbits?
Generally yes. Indoor rabbits are safe from predators, heat and many diseases, and their owners notice illness sooner.
What is the oldest rabbit on record?
Guinness World Records lists Flopsy, an Australian rabbit who lived to 18 years and 10 months.
When is a rabbit considered a senior?
Around 6 to 8 years for most breeds, and earlier for giant breeds.