Are Flemish Giant rabbits healthy pets?

Rabbits can make great pets, for young and old alike. There are many different breeds of rabbit out there in all shapes and sizes with the largest being the Flemish Giant, which averages over twice the weight of the most popular breed, a Mini Lop. So what does it take to look after such a giant and are there any health concerns a potential owner should be aware of?

Rabbits as pets

With nearly 1,000,000 rabbits thought to be kept as pets in the UK, they are now the third most popular pet behind dogs and cats. Traditionally thought of as great first pets for kids, there are certain aspects of their care that can be quite niche and have certain requirements.

They are a long-term commitment with many living for around 8-10 years and are highly intelligent and sociable animals. They must live with a companion and in almost every case, this ought to be another rabbit. There can be health and social issues when housing rabbits and guinea pigs together, even though this is something that many people believe is acceptable. If introduced carefully and gently, many rabbits can become content with human interaction and they can develop great bonds with their owners. But as they are a prey species, some rabbits can really dislike being handled and this must be respected in order to prevent stress and injury.

Rabbits have a highly specialised gastrointestinal system with teeth that continually grow throughout their life and are able to gain further nutrition from actually eating their own faecal pellets. In order to keep this process functioning, they require a very fibrous diet, consisting mostly of hay and fresh grass with a few leafy greens and pellets. Contrary to popular belief, other fruit and vegetables, including carrots, should only be offered as occasional treats.

Rabbits also require plenty of space to both exercise and relax. They need to be able to stretch out and have the freedom to hop. Within their housing, they need shelter from the elements, places to hide, and a separate toilet area. They also need to be kept mentally stimulated which can be achieved by providing them with toys but also by training them and teaching basic tricks as they are actually highly intelligent animals.

Flemish Giants – the breed

Flemish Giants are by far and away the largest breed of pet rabbit in the UK. On average, they weigh 6-7kg, compared to 2-3kg for most of the smaller breeds. The largest Flemish giant on record weighed a humongous 22kg and was 4ft 3in in length!

They are a Belgian breed, that was further developed in the US and UK in the early part of the 20^th Century. Originally bred for their meat and fur, Flemish Giants are typically kept now as pets or for showing. One of the most positive things about the breed is their nature, as they are known for being typically very docile which can make them very popular with families. Just like giant breed dogs, the lifespan of a Flemish Giant tends to be shorter than average for the species, at around 4-6 years.

Everything involved in caring for a giant breed rabbit is on a bigger scale than for other rabbits, from the amount of food they eat to the accommodation they require. When they stretch out, some giant rabbits can reach 4ft in length, far larger than any standard rabbit hutch can contain. And don’t forget they need to hop as well, at least 3 hops in any direction – that’s quite a lot of space!

As mentioned above, some rabbits are quite happy to be handled, whilst others are not so keen. With any breed, if they panic and fall or jump from a height, they can fairly easily damage or even break their back and this must always be taken into considering when attempting any sort of handling. With giant breeds, extra care must be taken when handling them due to their size.

Health problems

All the issues listed below can be found in any breed of rabbit, but just like their size, in Flemish Giants the incidence and severity of the disease can be magnified.

Dental disease

Rabbits have aradicular hypsodont teeth, meaning they have a very long crown and a comparatively short root and grow continually throughout the rabbit’s life. In order to keep the crown of their teeth at a suitable length, they need to eat plenty of fibrous food such as hay. If not, their teeth can overgrow and form spurs which can dig into the cheeks and tongue and cause painful sores. Symptoms can include struggling to eat, drooling, dropping food, a dirty bottom and weight loss. Dental problems can be corrected with veterinary intervention but prevention is much better than cure.

Pododermatitis

Pododermatitis is the development of sore points of skin on the hocks (‘ankles’). This is a condition that is more common in large or overweight rabbits, but because of their size, Flemish Giants don’t have to be overweight to be prime candidates. The main way to help prevent this occurring is to provide plenty of soft, dry bedding to act as padding and keep their diet healthy so they don’t become overweight.

Arthritis

In a similar way to larger examples of other species, Flemish Giants are at a higher risk of developing arthritis. Their weight can put extra strain through their joints which over time, can progress into arthritis. Once this starts, they tend to be more reluctant to move around, thereby increasing their risk of gaining weight and further worsening the arthritis.

Spondylosis

This is similar to a type of arthritis of the spine whereby bony spurs can form on the vertebrae and the discs between them can harden. This leads to pain and stiffness and eventually even urinary or faecal incontinence.

Fly-strike

Fly-strike is a horrible situation when flies lay eggs in soiled fur and skin around the back end of a rabbit and once they hatch, the larvae, or maggots, actually feed on the rabbit’s flesh. Not only does this cause intense pain, but can also be fatal. Larger rabbits, especially those with a large dewlap, can struggle to groom and clean around their rear and hence are at a greater risk of developing fly-strike.

Heatstroke

With their thick fur and large size, Flemish Giants are particularly prone to heatstroke. In order to try to prevent this happening, it is important to monitor them closely in warmer weather and provide a shady or cooler area where they can rest.

Heart disease

Otherwise known as cardiomyopathy, heart disease is thought to be more common in large breeds of rabbits than their more regularly sized counterparts. Of the different types of heart disease seen, dilated cardiomyopathy is most prevalent in Flemish Giants. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to detect any symptoms and often sudden death is the first and only sign.

Rabbits, on the whole, can make excellent pets

Flemish Giants are no exception, as long as potential owners are aware and understanding of not only the needs and requirements of owning a giant breed, but also the needs and requirements of owning rabbits in general – they are not as straight-forward to care for as many people think. However, if you have the space and the knowledge to take a Flemish Giant into your life, you will be rewarded with a gentle, docile and intelligent friend for hopefully a good few years.