Some rabbits live to be 10 - 12 years of age.
This is in contrast to horses, which can be aged fairly accurately by examining their teeth because they have a unique set of marks which grown out with the teeth as the animal ages. Even if there were helpful marks on rabbit teeth, those affecting the molars would be hard to see as they are right at the back of the mouth and it requires special instruments to see them.
Activity Levels: Does the rabbit regularly exhibit playful behavior or does it mainly sleep and eat? Does the rabbit move in fluid, graceful movements or does it seem stiff and sore? Overall Appearance: Is the rabbit’s coat soft and luxurious or harsh and course? Physical Wear and Tear: Does the rabbit have sores of/on the hocks?
By 6 - 8 days the eyes and ears open and they have thin fluff. By 2 weeks of age they will have a full coat of fur. By two weeks of age rabbits start showing an interest in nibbling grass and herbage. By 3 weeks of age they are regularly leaving the nest and readily reacting to sounds. Young rabbits begin weaning from the mother at about 4 - 5 weeks of age, by which time they look like miniature adults. Weaning is usually complete (the youngster no longer feeds from the mother) by 8 weeks of age.
If necessary include the same object each week as a reference, or a rule. Depending on the breed, rabbits continue to grow until they are 6 - 9 months old (the top of the range for larger breeds).
Adolescent rabbits tend to be very nosy and inquisitive, and love to check out their environment. If they encounter another rabbit of the same sex, their rising hormones may cause them to squabble and fight. A young rabbit is likely to be reactive, and indulge in a lot of back paw thumping at perceived dangers. [4] X Research source However, if they meet the opposite sex they may try to mate.
Older rabbits tend to sleep more and eat less, and may be prone to losing weight and become skinny. When they are awake they may react less to things going on around them, and seem less interested in their environment. [5] X Research source
In contrast an older rabbit may have a dull coat, because they don’t groom themselves as much. They may have impaired vision or hearing, and not interact with their environment as much as an adult rabbit. When they move they are liable to look stiff, and move awkwardly, perhaps shuffling along rather than hopping.
There are many variable factors in the development of sore hocks, which include the animal’s weight (the heavier the rabbit, the more likely sores are to form), the depth of their bedding (lack of bedding is a risk factor), and how clean or dirty the bedding is (Urine soaked bedding scalds the fur and causes it to fall out). It is unlikely a young rabbit has all of these factors in place, so sore hocks are rare in a young rabbit. However, the older the rabbit gets the more it is likely these factors occur, resulting in hock calluses.
The symptoms of overgrown teeth can include the rabbit grinding its teeth or having a wet chin where it drooled.
