Basic care

Caring for a French Lop Rabbit

Josie F. Turner
By Josie F. Turner, Journalist specialized in Animal Welfare. Updated: January 14, 2019
Caring for a French Lop Rabbit
Lop Rabbit

Animal file: Lop Rabbit

The French Lop is a small, furry and pleasant animal with long and floppy ears. When deciding to adopt one, it is important to pay attention to their particular needs.

The French Lop rabbit weighs around 4.5 kilograms (9.9 lbs), although they can grow to be bigger. They are a delicate and quiet breed, but still meed to exercise and socialize with people or other rabbits. For information on the best care of your French Lop, follow AnimalWised's advice, but after all, who knows your rabbit better than you.

Keep reading this AnimalWised article to find out everything you need to know about caring for a French Lop rabbit, and remember that you must take into account the needs of your particular rabbit, so let's go!

You may also be interested in: Tips for Raising Rabbits
Contents
  1. A space for your French Lop to live
  2. The French Lop should make regular visits to the vet
  3. Feeding a French Lop Rabbit

A space for your French Lop to live

First of all, if you have decided to adopt a French Lop rabbit it is very important to buy a hutch which is big enough so that your rabbit can move freely without getting distressed.

While they are a docile and sociable breed, these rabbits are also very restless and need a space that imitates their natural habitat. You need to keep the hutch at optimal hygienic conditions so that your rabbit feels at ease and also to avoid contracting any illness.

Whether you live in the city or in the countryside, you cannot always keep your rabbit in its hutch, it is essential to let your rabbit out so they can run freely and exercise. If you do not have the option of allowing them to go outdoors, be aware that your rabbit could chew through any kind of cable in the home.

You must also avoid leaving the hutch in a place where it can reach very high or very low temperatures as these rabbits need moderate temperatures.

What should a French Lop have in its home?

  • A feeding bottle: They should have at least 1/2 liters of water. You can also use a small cup or bowl as a feeding bottle, although you run the risk of it getting dirty more often.
  • A tray or corner tray: This is an appropriate place for your rabbit to learn to relieve itself in a clean and hygienic environment. Do not use cat litter as this can cause infections. Indeed, you can always count on buying compressed shavings available at any pet store.
  • Wood for gnawing. Use wood that has not been treated because otherwise, it could splinter and create intestinal problems. It will also prevent your rabbit from suffering abnormal teeth growth. You can choose wood from fruit trees such as apple and orange.
  • A dispenser or bowl: It is essential that there is feed, hay and daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
  • A bed made up of cotton towel or cloth: This is where the rabbit will rest at night, although it is true that many rabbits do not quite understand the meaning of it.
Caring for a French Lop Rabbit - A space for your French Lop to live

The French Lop should make regular visits to the vet

The French Lop requires certain veterinary check-ups and you should go to regular check-ups so that its health remains 100%.

If your rabbit lives outside or in the company of other animals, it will require deworming, both internally and externally. In addition, rabbits should be vaccinated every 6 months, in autumn and spring, to avoid contracting myxomatosis, which is transmitted by fleas and mosquitoes and can cause death.

Furthermore, once a year your rabbit should get vaccinated against viral hemorrhagic disease, especially if it lives with other rabbits. During your first visit to the vet, they will advise you on all treatments and medical care your rabbit should receive.

Caring for a French Lop Rabbit - The French Lop should make regular visits to the vet

Feeding a French Lop Rabbit

The French Lop is very sensitive when it comes to digestion and therefore, it is important to pay special attention to what you feed it. Up until 4 months of age, only hay is recommended. When they become adults, you can start introducing feed along with fruit and vegetables into their diet.

From sexual maturity, rabbits continue to eat hay, however you must begin to provide controlled amounts of special feed, as well as daily servings of fruit and vegetables which will be introduced gradually. Do not give livestock feed to your rabbit under any circumstances.

What fruit and vegetables can I give my French Lop rabbit?

Fruits should always be seeded and you can choose to give them apple, pear, peach, banana, melon, grape, orange and more. Give it small pieces at first.

As for vegetables, you can choose from tomato, endive, cabbage, cucumber, spinach, carrots, beans, broccoli or alfalfa. Test which ones they like best, every rabbit is different!

Additionally, to prevent them from forming hairballs in their stomach you need to give them malt and brush their hair quite frequently.

Here you can learn more about a French Lop's diet.

Caring for a French Lop Rabbit - Feeding a French Lop Rabbit

If you want to read similar articles to Caring for a French Lop Rabbit, we recommend you visit our Basic care category.

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bigbunnyes
I wouldn't exactly say French Lops are "small", they fall under the larger category of bunnies. Small would be dwarf rabbits, after the typical sized rabbit is medium sized and then comes French Lops and Flemish Giants. While not as big as Flemish Giants, French Lops are definitely hefty big bunnies. They too loaf around all over the place like Flemish Giants, they were bred to be big.
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Caring for a French Lop Rabbit