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If you want a sweet furball to love, the American Blue Rabbit is a great option! These popular yet rare rabbits are desirable due to their blue fur and mandolin-shaped body. Their docile nature makes them a suitable companion for just about any home!
So, hop on and learn about this unique and amazing pet!
Fast Facts
Color: Deep Blue and Albino White
Weight: Male: 9 – 11 lbs.; Female: 10 – 12 lbs.
Lifespan: Up to 12 years
Let’s dig into the history of this magical blue bunny!
Origin
Bred in 1917 by Lewis Salisbury in California, these rabbits were originally called the German Blue Vienna before changing their name to the American Blue Rabbits after World War I.
Though the exact combination is yet unknown, it is believed that this blue bunny resulted from mixing several breeds. The list includes Blue Vienna Rabbits, Beveren Rabbits, Blue Imperial Rabbits (now extinct), and the Flemish Giant Rabbit.
These American Blue rabbits were developed for their exceptional, deep blue fur, meat, and domestication. This friendly, medium-sized bunny is rare and in high demand due to its adorable appearance and laid-back nature. Keep on reading to discover more about their temperament.
Blue Bunny’s Behavior
The American Blue Rabbits are great pets due to their gentle and friendly personality. They are affectionate and playful but are not as active as other breeds. Baby bunnies raised around humans are well-socialized and fairly calm. They love being stroked and are always ready for a cuddle.
However, if bred in isolation, these rabbits may get fidgety and nervous around strangers. Keep in mind that despite being generally docile, these rabbits can bite if they feel threatened, so proceed with caution.
If you are thinking of getting a blue bunny or already have one, there are a few things that you should know when it comes to caring for them.
Caring for the American Blue Rabbit
While keeping most rabbit breeds can be challenging due to their skittish nature, this is not true with American blue bunnies!
Let’s look at how best to cater to their physical and emotional needs.
Diet
The most important factor in caring for a pet is giving them the right nutrition. As a pet parent, you want to ensure your bunny gets all the goodness from its meals.
With American Blue Rabbits, the meals are quite easy to manage as the majority of their diet consists of hay and fresh water.
About 70-80% of their diet should be made up of fodder. Feed your bunny hay daily, as they receive the required fiber, calcium, and protein from the hay.
You can also add vegetables and fruits to their meal.
Fruits have high amounts of sugar, so don’t add more than a few spoons every 1 to 2 days.
Here’s a list of vegetables you can feed your rabbit:
- Romaine lettuce
- Bok choy
- Mustard greens
- Carrot tops
- Basil
- Kohlrabi
- Beet greens
- Broccoli greens
- Cilantro
Avoid vegetables like carrots and potatoes as they are high in carbs and can lead to obesity. Also, steer clear of iceberg lettuce as it contains Lanandum, which is toxic to these animals.
Grooming
The best part about having American Blue Rabbits as pets is that they like to keep themselves clean.
Despite grooming themselves regularly, they are not fond of baths. Bathing can stress them out, so we suggest using a damp towel to wipe off any dirty spots.
American Blues are relatively low maintenance and must only be brushed twice a month. However, you may need to brush them more often during the molting season.
It is important to keep their nails clean and trimmed and to check for infections and mites.
Environment
The living conditions of your bunny play a great role in ensuring its health and safety. Even though the American Blue Rabbits are not very active, they still need sufficient space to move around. Make sure that the enclosure is spacious and clean.
If the rabbits are kept outdoors, seal the enclosure with mesh and keep it a few inches off the ground as a precaution against predators.
Whether you keep them inside or outdoors, ensure the cage is placed in a quiet space away from too much noise and chaos so your bunny can feel relaxed and safe.
Health Problems
These bunnies are prone to certain health conditions. Knowing what to look for can help you make swift and informed decisions.
It is important to regularly check in with your vet to ensure that everything is healthy and on track.
Some health issues that are prevalent in this breed include:
- Myiasis: Also known as Flystrike, is when flies land on your rabbit’s skin and lay eggs. This is fatal as these eggs hatch into maggots and burrow through the skin, causing death within hours.
Myiasis occurs if your bunny has a wound, wet fur, or a dirty butt. To prevent this from happening, make sure that your rabbit is clean.
- Overgrown teeth: This is painful but relatively manageable. Your bunny’s teeth can keep growing; if they grow too large, it can hinder eating.
Take your pet to the vet regularly to get their teeth filed, and offer lots of hay or chew toys to your bunny to keep their teeth trimmed.
- Fleas: Their dense, soft coats make rabbits more susceptible to fleas. This parasite feeds on your bunny’s blood and can easily spread from one rabbit to another. It can be pretty dangerous as the fleas may contain viruses. Thankfully, this problem has various solutions, including sprays, soaps, and medicines. Consult your vet for what is possible for your pet.
- Fur block: This is a common problem caused by excessive self-grooming. The fur causes a blockage in the digestive tract, leading to bloating, diarrhea, and low appetite. It also hinders the absorption of required nutrients, resulting in various other issues. Ensure proper grooming by brushing your rabbit often, especially while shedding.
- Gastrointestinal Stasis: Viruses, parasites, or a lack of fiber in your bunny’s diet results in a dysfunctional gastrointestinal tract hampering the absorption of required nutrients. Look out for bloating, loss of appetite, and low volume of feces. Immediately visit your vet if you suspect your bunny might be suffering from this condition.
Price
A single American Blue Rabbit will cost between $50-$100. The price varies depending on the breeder’s reputation, the rabbit’s health, and age. When devising a budget, you must also account for other costs like food, veterinary’s fees, medications, cages, accessories, etc.
These adorable, unique blue rabbits are beautiful, calm, and friendly. All great traits to have in a pet! We hope this article has helped you with all the information you need in caring for the American Blue Rabbits.
