Opossum Rex Rabbit: Health, Temperament, Care & Costs

The Opossum Rex is a rare rex-coated rabbit variety known for a plush, springy coat and a medium build. In practice, pet parents will usually find care recommendations overlap with other Rex-type rabbits: calm handling, soft flooring, a high-fiber diet, and close attention to feet and teeth. Because this is an uncommon variety, exact breed statistics can vary by registry and line, so your vet will care for the individual rabbit in front of them rather than the name alone.

Temperament is often described as curious, social, and fairly interactive when handled gently and consistently. Many Rex-type rabbits enjoy routine and can become affectionate with familiar people, but they still need choice and space. A rabbit that approaches for attention one day may prefer observation the next.

For most homes, the biggest care difference is the coat and foot structure associated with rex fur. That velvet texture is appealing, but the shorter guard hairs can mean less cushioning on the feet. That makes housing, litter setup, weight control, and nail care especially important for long-term comfort.

Opossum Rex rabbits share the same core health risks seen in pet rabbits overall. The most common day-to-day concerns are dental disease, gastrointestinal slowdown or GI stasis, obesity, and skin or foot problems. Rabbits have continuously growing teeth, so low-fiber diets can contribute to painful overgrowth and poor chewing. GI stasis is one of the most common reasons rabbits need urgent veterinary care, and it is often linked to pain, stress, dehydration, or not eating enough hay.

Rex-coated rabbits also have a known predisposition to pododermatitis, often called sore hocks. Because the foot fur is thinner and less protective, hard, wet, rough, or dirty surfaces can irritate the skin more easily. Extra body weight, long nails, arthritis, and inactivity can all add pressure to the hocks.

Like other rabbits, they can also develop ear mites, urine scald, bladder sludge or stones, and reproductive disease if left unspayed or unneutered. Intact female rabbits have a particularly important preventive need: discussing spay timing with your vet. See your vet immediately if your rabbit stops eating, produces fewer droppings, seems bloated, hides more than usual, grinds teeth in pain, or cannot move comfortably.

Rabbit care is often more involved than new pet parents expect, especially for a rare Rex-type rabbit that may need an experienced exotic animal veterinarian. In the U.S. in 2025-2026, a rabbit wellness exam commonly falls around $60-$120, with some exotic practices charging more in higher-cost areas. Spay or neuter surgery often runs about $200-$300, and can exceed $500 depending on region, sex, age, and whether pre-op testing is recommended.

Routine monthly care usually includes hay, pellets, greens, litter, and enrichment. A realistic monthly cost range for one medium rabbit is often $60-$150. Hay is the biggest recurring supply, while litter and fresh greens vary by region. Nail trims may cost about $15-$30 if done professionally, though many pet parents learn to do them at home after guidance from their vet.

Emergency and chronic care can change the budget quickly. GI stasis visits may involve an exam, imaging, fluids, pain control, assisted feeding, and hospitalization, often bringing the total into the $300-$1,200+ range. Dental trims or molar work commonly add $200-$600+, and advanced dental procedures can cost more. Planning ahead with an emergency fund is one of the kindest things you can do for a rabbit.

A healthy adult Opossum Rex should eat like a healthy adult rabbit: unlimited grass hay, measured timothy-based pellets, fresh water, and a daily selection of leafy greens. Hay should make up the bulk of the diet because it supports gut movement and helps wear down continuously growing teeth. For most adults, pellets are limited rather than free-fed.

A practical starting point for many adult rabbits is 1/8 to 1/4 cup of timothy pellets per 5 pounds of body weight daily, then adjusting with your vet based on body condition, age, and activity. Leafy greens are commonly offered at about 1/4 to 1/2 cup daily, with variety rotated over time. Good options often include romaine, bok choy, cilantro, basil, carrot tops, and watercress.

Treats should stay small and infrequent. Fruit and starchy vegetables can be appealing, but too much can contribute to soft stool, weight gain, and selective eating. Adult rabbits should not rely on alfalfa hay unless your vet recommends it for a specific life stage or medical reason. If your rabbit suddenly eats less hay, drops fewer fecal pellets, or seems picky with food, contact your vet promptly.

Opossum Rex rabbits do best with daily movement, exploration, and gentle mental enrichment. A rabbit should have enough room to stand fully upright, stretch out, and move around at all times, plus several hours each day in a larger rabbit-safe exercise area. This supports muscle tone, digestion, nail wear, and emotional well-being.

Because Rex-type rabbits can be more prone to sore hocks, flooring matters. Soft, dry, non-slip surfaces are usually more comfortable than wire, rough carpet, or slick flooring. Washable rugs, fleece over supportive padding, and roomy litter areas with paper-based bedding can help reduce pressure on the feet.

Enrichment should include tunnels, cardboard boxes, chew toys, foraging opportunities, and safe social interaction. Many rabbits enjoy predictable routines. Watch for subtle signs of pain during activity, such as reluctance to hop, shifting weight, sitting more than usual, or avoiding hard surfaces. Those changes are worth discussing with your vet.

Preventive care for an Opossum Rex centers on feet, teeth, weight, and early behavior changes. Schedule regular wellness visits with your vet, ideally one who is comfortable with rabbits. Rabbits often hide illness until they are quite sick, so small changes in appetite, droppings, posture, or activity deserve attention.

At home, check the hocks weekly for thinning fur, redness, scabs, moisture, or swelling. Keep nails trimmed so weight stays distributed normally across the foot. Brush during shedding, offer unlimited hay, and track body condition so obesity does not quietly increase the risk of sore hocks, arthritis strain, and GI problems.

Discuss spay or neuter timing with your vet if your rabbit is intact. Ask about rabbit hemorrhagic disease vaccination where you live, since RHDV2 vaccination is the routine vaccine recommended for pet rabbits in areas where it is available or advised. Good preventive care is not about doing everything possible. It is about choosing the right level of care for your rabbit, your home, and your budget with your vet's guidance.