🐇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.

Species profile

Lifespan

6 to 9 years

Adult weight

3 to 4.5 kg

Temperament

A medium-sized rabbit, calm and people-oriented, that enjoys contact and ground-level play.

Health watch

sore hocks (pododermatitis) linked to the sparse fur under the feet

🩺 Our hygiene and health advice stays general: it never substitutes for an examination by a veterinarian, the only person qualified to advise on your animal.

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

• Bonding two rabbits: the equipment for a successful introductionBedding & habitat

  Rabbit bonding: neutral territory setup, transition pen and the concrete steps to introduce two rabbits without a fight.

• Mites and mange in rabbits: spotting the signs and treating them rightCare & grooming

  Ear mites and fur mites in rabbits: symptoms to watch for, treatment products and hygiene steps to prevent them coming back.

• Pet stroller for rabbits: useful accessory or pure gadget?Travel & safety

  Pet stroller for rabbits: when it genuinely beats a standard carrier, what to look for, and cheaper alternatives.

• Calming pheromone diffuser for a stressed rabbit: does it actually work?Care & grooming

  Calming diffuser for an anxious rabbit: what the research says about space-related stress, when to consider one, and what it never replaces.

• Safe chew wood for rabbits: which tree species are safe?Toys & enrichment

  Chew wood for rabbits: safe species (apple, hazel, willow) versus ones to avoid, for natural dental wear without the risk.

• Antibiotics dangerous for rabbits: which ones to avoidCare & grooming

  Some antibiotics routine in dogs or cats trigger fatal enterotoxaemia in rabbits: which ones to avoid and what to do if you're unsure.

• Rabbit vaccination against myxomatosis and VHD: schedule and budgetCare & grooming

  Myxomatosis and VHD in rabbits: why vaccinate even an indoor rabbit, the booster schedule, and the yearly budget to plan for.

• Digging box for rabbits: an easy natural enrichment to set upToys & enrichment

  Digging box for rabbits: why this instinctive need persists in pet rabbits and how to set up a safe, effective box.