Bunnies are so much fun!
Rabbits are the most prominent of the angora species. Bunnies are so much fun! They are easy to care for, cheap to feed and small enough for a child to handle.
An Angora Rabbit is a fiber producing animal. The wool is plucked, combed, or clipped to be spun into a luxurious yarn. This does not harm the rabbit! The wool is ready to shed and removing it will help keep the rabbit in good condition.
The bunnies in the photo are three does maybe 8 weeks old. Ruby-eyed white, blue, and chocolate tort.
There are 5 breeds of angora rabbits:
English Angora
French Angora
Satin Angora
Giant Angora
German Angora
Each breed has it's advantages and disadvantages, and each breed has a different type of fur. Click on the sub-forums for information on the top four. Germans are not recognized for show by the ARBA. German enthusiasts maintain their own registry.
Angora Rabbits come in 32 accepted colors and many more non-showable colors, so there is something for everyone!
An Angora Rabbit is a fiber producing animal. The wool is plucked, combed, or clipped to be spun into a luxurious yarn. This does not harm the rabbit! The wool is ready to shed and removing it will help keep the rabbit in good condition.
The bunnies in the photo are three does maybe 8 weeks old. Ruby-eyed white, blue, and chocolate tort.
There are 5 breeds of angora rabbits:
English Angora
French Angora
Satin Angora
Giant Angora
German Angora
Each breed has it's advantages and disadvantages, and each breed has a different type of fur. Click on the sub-forums for information on the top four. Germans are not recognized for show by the ARBA. German enthusiasts maintain their own registry.
Angora Rabbits come in 32 accepted colors and many more non-showable colors, so there is something for everyone!
How to Care for your Angora Bunny
The best place for your angora to live is in a wire bottom cage with 1"X1/2" holes on the floor. This allows the bathroom waste to fall through to a catch tray or the ground. It's the easiest way to keep them clean and free of parasites. Trays should be dumped as needed, usually every few days.
Your bunny's cage must be kept in a sheltered location, protected from wind, rain and snow, and direct sun. Heated facilities are not necessary. Rabbits do fine in the cold!
Also be sure to put the cage where it will not be bothered by predators or the family dog.
Excellent ventilation is very important. Many breeders run fans in the warmer months to keep the air moving and to keep the bunnies from having to breathe the smell of their own urine in the trays below. An animal that doesn't have fresh, moving air is never healthy for very long.
Watch for hair build up on the floor of the cage. It happens alot with angoras and the hair must be picked off. Some people choose to burn off the hair build-up a couple times a year with a torch. I have never done this. You can also use a vinegar water mix and a wire brush to scrub off urine/hair build-up.
Your bunny's cage must be kept in a sheltered location, protected from wind, rain and snow, and direct sun. Heated facilities are not necessary. Rabbits do fine in the cold!
Also be sure to put the cage where it will not be bothered by predators or the family dog.
Excellent ventilation is very important. Many breeders run fans in the warmer months to keep the air moving and to keep the bunnies from having to breathe the smell of their own urine in the trays below. An animal that doesn't have fresh, moving air is never healthy for very long.
Watch for hair build up on the floor of the cage. It happens alot with angoras and the hair must be picked off. Some people choose to burn off the hair build-up a couple times a year with a torch. I have never done this. You can also use a vinegar water mix and a wire brush to scrub off urine/hair build-up.
Is an Angora Right for Me?
As a rabbit, angora's are generally easy to care for...feed, water, housing, nothing to it. But all that hair!
The wool makes angoras a high-maintenance breed. They MUST be blown and brushed out frequently. Usually a couple times a week will do it unless you are prepping for show. If you are not willing to put forth the time to properly care for your angora's coat, then the breed is not for you, but if you are, I am sure you won't regret your purchase. I love angoras!
The wool makes angoras a high-maintenance breed. They MUST be blown and brushed out frequently. Usually a couple times a week will do it unless you are prepping for show. If you are not willing to put forth the time to properly care for your angora's coat, then the breed is not for you, but if you are, I am sure you won't regret your purchase. I love angoras!
Food and Water
Angoras are constantly growing hair. This means they need extra protein to give their body the fullest potential. A basic maintenance ration just doesn't cut it. They need a 16-18% protein pellet and hay. You should give your bunny all the pellets it can eat at least until 6 months old. Beyond this, some breeders limit feed, at 1/2-1+ cup a day, depending on the breed and some breeders continue to free-feed. Angoras never stop growing their wool, so they always need a high-quality feed.
Your angora should always have hay. Many people like timothy, but a mixed grass hay is fine too. Stay away from a high percentage alfalfa hay. Alfalfa is a hot feed and contains too much calcium. It can be too much for some rabbits to handle, especially since commercial pellets already have a percentage of alfalfa in them.
Make sure your bunny always has clean water. A rabbit that is thirsty won't eat because their feed is dry. A rabbit that has dirty water for days on end can die, since they may refuse to drink it. When the weather is below freezing, I feed warm water twice a day. Since the water is warm they want to drink more, and that is good! Hydration is just as important in winter as it is in summer.
Your angora should always have hay. Many people like timothy, but a mixed grass hay is fine too. Stay away from a high percentage alfalfa hay. Alfalfa is a hot feed and contains too much calcium. It can be too much for some rabbits to handle, especially since commercial pellets already have a percentage of alfalfa in them.
Make sure your bunny always has clean water. A rabbit that is thirsty won't eat because their feed is dry. A rabbit that has dirty water for days on end can die, since they may refuse to drink it. When the weather is below freezing, I feed warm water twice a day. Since the water is warm they want to drink more, and that is good! Hydration is just as important in winter as it is in summer.
How to Handle Wool Block
Wool block is a life or death problem. This is why it is very important to feed your angoras hay! It helps to keep the wool moving through the digestive track.
The natural self-grooming process for an Angora Rabbit is the same as for a cat. They lick their coats to keep it clean. When the wool begins to shed, they will most likely ingest any loose fibers. Rabbits cannot regurgitate the fiber from their stomach, and a large build up will clog its intestines. When this happens your rabbit will stop eating and drinking because it feels full. If left untreated, your rabbit will die.
One for sure sign of wool block, besides a loss of appetite is small, dry feces. The stool of a healthy rabbit is large, round, and moist. In extreme cases, defecation and urination will cease all together. You should always pay close attention to your rabbits bathroom habits!
If your normally happy bunny all of a sudden becomes lethargic and loses its appetite, something is terribly wrong!
The first thing to do when you suspect wool block is call a veterinarian who specializes in rabbits. If that is not possible, there are some other things you can try.
First, immediately take away your rabbit’s pellets and feed it more hay. Also, try adding a little pineapple juice to its water to help increase stomach enzymes. You can also try feeding dried or fresh pineapple, papaya, or banana. Chewable papaya supplement from the drug store may also help. Try crushing them and sprinkling on a banana.
If your bunny has stopped eating the situation has escalated from bad to very serious. Dehydration is the primary problem, followed by slow starvation. Shave your bunny immediately so they do not ingest anymore wool.
The following suggestions are a last resort measure. This is assuming you cannot obtain help from a vet or another experienced angora person. I take no responsibility for what may happen by following these suggestions. I once received an adult rabbit in full wool block and this is what I did that saved her life.
Get a small syringe to force feed your bunny with. Put her on her back in your lap and force feed her pineapple juice. ***Make SURE you hold her head up. It is very easy to run liquid out the rabbits nose if the angle is wrong.**
ALLOW ME TO EMPHASIZE the importance of having the rabbit at the correct angle. Do not hold her upside down, or head angled down. Holding a rabbit in an upright position is the better choice, but if you are at this point that may not be possible, as she will likely not wish to cooperate with you. Fresh pineapple is the best easily obtainable choice. The pineapple juice will help dissolve the blockage in the stomach so it can be passed through the intestines. Do this at least three times a day. If your bunny is not drinking, also force feed water. I give about a shot glass worth at a time. Keep doing this until something changes.
It is also helpful to GENTLY massage her stomach. This helps disperse the enzymes and break up the blockage.
In my worst experience with wool block, the rabbit had stopped eating and I had to force feed. I followed the above practice. It took a week, then she suddenly began eating and drinking, and was fine after. She did lose an alarming amount of weight during that time and I thought she was going to die.
***Again, please note, the situation was extreme. It was live or die as I received the rabbit in this condition and time was of the essence. If you have a rabbit in this state of wool block, let me repeat, I highly recommend seeking the advice of a vet, but I realize, there may be a time when that is not possible, as was the case in this situation. Necessity breeds invention. Do what has to be done.
Pay attention to the droppings tray. Make note if she passes a super large poo ball or if the size of them changes, or if they stop all together. I HIGHLY recommend the guidance of a vet if you are in this situation, but be sure to find one that has experience with this. Most don't. There are dozens of angora specific groups on facebook, and yahoo groups. I do know there is at least one dedicated angora breeder who is in fact a practicing vet that frequents the angora boards on facebook. The second option is to contact the representative of the angora club in your area for help. They can be found on the NARBC website.
I hope you will never have to experience wool block. It can be scary but it can be reversed if detected soon enough, and is simple to prevent.
The natural self-grooming process for an Angora Rabbit is the same as for a cat. They lick their coats to keep it clean. When the wool begins to shed, they will most likely ingest any loose fibers. Rabbits cannot regurgitate the fiber from their stomach, and a large build up will clog its intestines. When this happens your rabbit will stop eating and drinking because it feels full. If left untreated, your rabbit will die.
One for sure sign of wool block, besides a loss of appetite is small, dry feces. The stool of a healthy rabbit is large, round, and moist. In extreme cases, defecation and urination will cease all together. You should always pay close attention to your rabbits bathroom habits!
If your normally happy bunny all of a sudden becomes lethargic and loses its appetite, something is terribly wrong!
The first thing to do when you suspect wool block is call a veterinarian who specializes in rabbits. If that is not possible, there are some other things you can try.
First, immediately take away your rabbit’s pellets and feed it more hay. Also, try adding a little pineapple juice to its water to help increase stomach enzymes. You can also try feeding dried or fresh pineapple, papaya, or banana. Chewable papaya supplement from the drug store may also help. Try crushing them and sprinkling on a banana.
If your bunny has stopped eating the situation has escalated from bad to very serious. Dehydration is the primary problem, followed by slow starvation. Shave your bunny immediately so they do not ingest anymore wool.
The following suggestions are a last resort measure. This is assuming you cannot obtain help from a vet or another experienced angora person. I take no responsibility for what may happen by following these suggestions. I once received an adult rabbit in full wool block and this is what I did that saved her life.
Get a small syringe to force feed your bunny with. Put her on her back in your lap and force feed her pineapple juice. ***Make SURE you hold her head up. It is very easy to run liquid out the rabbits nose if the angle is wrong.**
ALLOW ME TO EMPHASIZE the importance of having the rabbit at the correct angle. Do not hold her upside down, or head angled down. Holding a rabbit in an upright position is the better choice, but if you are at this point that may not be possible, as she will likely not wish to cooperate with you. Fresh pineapple is the best easily obtainable choice. The pineapple juice will help dissolve the blockage in the stomach so it can be passed through the intestines. Do this at least three times a day. If your bunny is not drinking, also force feed water. I give about a shot glass worth at a time. Keep doing this until something changes.
It is also helpful to GENTLY massage her stomach. This helps disperse the enzymes and break up the blockage.
In my worst experience with wool block, the rabbit had stopped eating and I had to force feed. I followed the above practice. It took a week, then she suddenly began eating and drinking, and was fine after. She did lose an alarming amount of weight during that time and I thought she was going to die.
***Again, please note, the situation was extreme. It was live or die as I received the rabbit in this condition and time was of the essence. If you have a rabbit in this state of wool block, let me repeat, I highly recommend seeking the advice of a vet, but I realize, there may be a time when that is not possible, as was the case in this situation. Necessity breeds invention. Do what has to be done.
Pay attention to the droppings tray. Make note if she passes a super large poo ball or if the size of them changes, or if they stop all together. I HIGHLY recommend the guidance of a vet if you are in this situation, but be sure to find one that has experience with this. Most don't. There are dozens of angora specific groups on facebook, and yahoo groups. I do know there is at least one dedicated angora breeder who is in fact a practicing vet that frequents the angora boards on facebook. The second option is to contact the representative of the angora club in your area for help. They can be found on the NARBC website.
I hope you will never have to experience wool block. It can be scary but it can be reversed if detected soon enough, and is simple to prevent.
Preventing Wool Block
Wool block happens because your rabbit ingests too much hair.
Things you can do include:
Make sure your rabbit gets non-alfalfa hay every day.
Feed a papaya supplement, or dried or fresh pineapple or banana as a treat (regularly).
MOST importantly, keep your bunny groomed!
Blowing and brushing your rabbit twice a week will help get rid of loose wool that the rabbit would otherwise eat. Good grooming practices saves lives!
Things you can do include:
Make sure your rabbit gets non-alfalfa hay every day.
Feed a papaya supplement, or dried or fresh pineapple or banana as a treat (regularly).
MOST importantly, keep your bunny groomed!
Blowing and brushing your rabbit twice a week will help get rid of loose wool that the rabbit would otherwise eat. Good grooming practices saves lives!
Your Angora and the Weather
Angoras do fine in cold weather. As a matter of fact, for angoras cold weather is better! Unless you have worn an angora garment, you have no idea how warm their wool actually is. REALLY warm. Really. Angora wool is SO warm, human babies should not wear clothing made from angora. They don't know how to say 'I'm too hot'.
Protect your bunny from wind, rain, snow and direct sun. No animal is comfortable in the wind. It causes stuffed up noses, headaches and it sucks the energy right out of you. Bunnies feel the same way.
Angoras that get more wet than a slight misting will ruin their coat IF you touch them. If you leave them alone to dry, their coat may be fine. Wet, agitated angora wool felts something awful. Besides, a wet bunny is an unhappy bunny.
Angoras suffer in extreme heat. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER , NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!!! leave your angora in the sun or a closed car on a warm or sunny day; unless you want a dead angora.
Period.
Always house your bunnies in the shade. In the warmer months, run a fan or put them somewhere with a very slight breeze. Freezing a soda bottle full of water is a good tool. Put it in the cage and your bunny will lay next to it.
You can also drape a wet towel over the cage, and run a light fan. The breeze over the wet cloth will help cool your bunny.
It would be better for your bunny to live in the Arctic than in the desert. Always remember, rabbits suffer in extreme heat.
Protect your bunny from wind, rain, snow and direct sun. No animal is comfortable in the wind. It causes stuffed up noses, headaches and it sucks the energy right out of you. Bunnies feel the same way.
Angoras that get more wet than a slight misting will ruin their coat IF you touch them. If you leave them alone to dry, their coat may be fine. Wet, agitated angora wool felts something awful. Besides, a wet bunny is an unhappy bunny.
Angoras suffer in extreme heat. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER , NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!!! leave your angora in the sun or a closed car on a warm or sunny day; unless you want a dead angora.
Period.
Always house your bunnies in the shade. In the warmer months, run a fan or put them somewhere with a very slight breeze. Freezing a soda bottle full of water is a good tool. Put it in the cage and your bunny will lay next to it.
You can also drape a wet towel over the cage, and run a light fan. The breeze over the wet cloth will help cool your bunny.
It would be better for your bunny to live in the Arctic than in the desert. Always remember, rabbits suffer in extreme heat.
Giant Angora
Chestnut satin angora babies