🐇Rex: gear and buying guides

The rex rabbit is prized for its unique velvety fur, short and dense, wonderful to the touch. A medium-sized breed, between 3 and 4.5 kg for the standard rex, it is known to be calm and people-oriented. Its genetic peculiarity, however, leaves the underside of its feet fragile, which should guide your choice of flooring and bedding.

Profile : Between 3 and 4.5 kg as an adult, short and dense velvety fur, calm and affectionate temperament.

Rex gear, family by family

• 🍖 Food

  An adult rex gets unlimited hay and a pellet ration suited to its medium build, adjusted to its weight. An overweight rex puts extra strain on its already fragile feet, so portion control is also an orthopaedic matter.

• 🧴 Care & grooming

  Its velvety fur only needs gentle, occasional brushing; a grooming mitt is often enough. On the other hand, inspect the underside of its feet weekly: the fur there is sparse and predisposes it to sore hocks, painful heel lesions.

• 🎾 Toys & enrichment

  The rex enjoys ground-level games: snuffle mats, cardboard boxes to explore, chew toys. Avoid setups that require repeated jumps onto hard surfaces, which punish its sensitive hocks.

• 🏠 Bedding & habitat

  Flooring is the critical point: never wire or slatted floors; use thick mats, covered foam tiles or deep, soft bedding instead. Every resting spot should be padded.

• 🧳 Travel & safety

  Choose a medium-sized carrier and line the bottom with a thick non-slip mat rather than plain newspaper: the bare plastic floor of a carrier is harsh on its fragile hocks.

• 🧰 Accessories

  Stock up on washable mats and cushions for its living areas; this is the priority purchase for this breed. An accurate pet or household scale helps track its weight and protect its feet.

Guides to read

• Safe vegetables and greens for rabbits: the complete shopping listFood

  Which vegetables and leafy greens are safe for a rabbit? A vetted shopping list, daily amounts, forbidden foods and a realistic weekly budget.

• Healthy treats for rabbits: which to choose, which to banFood

  Which healthy treats can you give a rabbit? Dried flowers, herbs, tiny fruit portions: our criteria, the pet-shop traps to avoid and typical prices.

• Hay racks for rabbits: which one limits waste without creating risksAccessories

  Hay ball, wire rack, hay feeder or open box: which hay rack should you choose for a rabbit? Safety criteria, recommended designs and prices.

• Litter training your rabbit: the corner tray method, step by stepCare & grooming

  How do you litter train a rabbit with a corner tray? Step-by-step method, choosing the tray, the right litter, mistakes to avoid and the budget.

• Secure outdoor rabbit run: wire mesh, predators and best practiceTravel & safety

  How do you build a secure outdoor run for a rabbit? Predator-proof mesh, protection against digging escapes, shade requirements and a detailed budget.

• Outdoor hutches and winter: how to protect your rabbit from the coldBedding & habitat

  Which outdoor hutch will get a rabbit through winter? Insulation, straw, positioning, fatal mistakes and suitable models: the full guide with prices.

• Non-slip rugs and flooring for rabbits: protecting paws and parquetBedding & habitat

  Which non-slip rug or floor covering should you choose for a rabbit? Slippery tiles, wooden floors, joint risks: safe materials, traps and prices.

• Tunnels and hideouts for rabbits: the hiding places that change everythingToys & enrichment

  Which tunnels and hideouts should you choose for a rabbit? Safe materials, dimensions, placement in the pen and budget: our reasoned selection.