Rex Rabbit: Health, Temperament, Care & Costs

Rex rabbits are medium-sized rabbits known for their plush, velvety coat, broad head, upright ears, and calm, people-oriented personality. Many pet parents are drawn to the breed because Rex rabbits are often friendly, curious, and interactive without being overly busy. They usually prefer to approach on their own terms rather than be carried, so gentle handling and floor-level bonding tend to work best.

Most adult Rex rabbits weigh about 7.5 to 10.5 pounds and commonly live around 6 to 8 years, though some rabbits may live longer with excellent preventive care, a hay-based diet, and prompt treatment when they stop eating. Their coat is short and dense rather than long, so brushing needs are usually modest. That said, their fine fur gives them less padding on the bottoms of their feet, which can make them more prone to sore hocks than some other breeds.

For many households, the Rex is a good fit when you want a social rabbit with moderate exercise needs and a manageable grooming routine. They still need daily out-of-enclosure time, chew enrichment, litter box maintenance, and access to a rabbit-savvy vet. Like all rabbits, they can hide illness well, so subtle changes in appetite, stool output, or activity matter.

Rex rabbits share many of the same medical risks seen in pet rabbits overall, but a few concerns stand out. Dental disease is common in rabbits because their teeth grow continuously for life. If tooth alignment is off or the diet is too low in hay, teeth may overgrow and lead to drooling, reduced appetite, eye discharge, facial swelling, or painful abscesses. Gastrointestinal stasis is another major concern. Rabbits that eat less for any reason, including pain, stress, dental disease, or a high-carbohydrate diet, can develop dangerous slowing of the gut.

Rex rabbits are also more likely than some breeds to develop pododermatitis, often called sore hocks, because they have less cushioning fur on their feet. Hard or damp flooring, obesity, poor sanitation, and inactivity can all make this worse. Watch for hair loss on the feet, redness, scabs, reluctance to move, or changes in posture. Early cases may improve with flooring changes and weight management, while advanced cases can become painful and difficult to control.

Other issues your vet may discuss include obesity, urinary sludge or stones, respiratory disease, parasites, and reproductive disease in unspayed females. Female rabbits have a meaningful risk of uterine disease, including uterine cancer, if they are left intact, which is one reason many vets recommend spaying healthy females. Because rabbits often decline quickly once they stop eating, any Rex rabbit with poor appetite, fewer droppings, bloating, marked lethargy, or trouble breathing should be seen by your vet right away.

Rex rabbits are often described as moderate-maintenance pets, but their care still adds up. In the U.S. in 2025-2026, many pet parents spend about $60-$150 per month on recurring basics such as hay, pellets, leafy greens, litter, chew toys, and routine supplies. A larger rabbit like a Rex may sit toward the higher end of that range because it eats more hay and often needs a larger enclosure and exercise setup.

Startup costs are usually more noticeable than day-to-day costs. Expect a realistic initial setup of about $250-$700+ for an exercise pen or roomy habitat, litter box, hay feeder, heavy bowls, hideouts, flooring, carrier, grooming tools, and enrichment items. Adoption fees often range from $50-$150, while rabbits purchased from breeders may cost more depending on lineage and region.

Veterinary care is where cost range can widen the most. A routine rabbit exam commonly runs about $70-$150, fecal testing may add $40-$80, and nail trims often cost $15-$35 if done in clinic. Rabbit spay or neuter commonly falls around $300-$700, with some high-volume clinics near $350 and some full-service exotic practices charging more. Dental work can range from roughly $300-$800 for a more limited procedure to $800-$1,500+ when anesthesia, imaging, and extractions are needed. Emergency care for GI stasis or severe illness can quickly reach $500-$2,000+, so many rabbit pet parents keep an emergency fund.

A Rex rabbit should eat a hay-first diet. Unlimited grass hay, such as timothy, orchard, or other grass hay, should make up the majority of daily intake. Hay supports normal gut movement and helps wear down continuously growing teeth. Adult rabbits generally do best with measured timothy-based pellets rather than free-feeding, plus a daily variety of leafy greens. Fruit and sugary treats should stay small and occasional.

A practical adult feeding pattern is unlimited grass hay, about 1 tablespoon of vegetables per 2 pounds of body weight daily or roughly 1 cup of leafy greens per 2-3 pounds, and about 1/4 cup of timothy-based pellets per 4-5 pounds of body weight per day, adjusted by your vet for body condition and activity. For a typical Rex rabbit, that often means a modest pellet portion rather than a full bowl. Too many pellets, treats, or high-sugar foods can contribute to obesity, soft stool, and GI stasis.

Young, growing rabbits have different needs and may be fed alfalfa hay and more pellets, so ask your vet what stage-appropriate diet fits your rabbit. Fresh water should always be available in a clean bowl or bottle, though many rabbits drink more readily from bowls. If your Rex suddenly eats less hay, produces fewer droppings, or becomes selective about food, contact your vet promptly. In rabbits, appetite changes are often an early sign of pain or illness rather than picky behavior.

Rex rabbits have a moderate energy level, but they still need daily movement and mental stimulation to stay healthy. Plan for several hours of safe out-of-enclosure time each day in a rabbit-proofed space. Running, hopping, stretching upright, digging, exploring tunnels, and chewing appropriate toys all help maintain muscle tone, joint health, and normal gut motility.

Because Rex rabbits can be prone to sore hocks, the exercise area matters as much as the amount of exercise. Provide non-slip, cushioned footing such as rugs, fleece over supportive mats, or other rabbit-safe surfaces rather than wire floors or constantly hard, slick surfaces. Add hide boxes, cardboard tunnels, untreated wood chews, and food puzzles so activity feels natural and rewarding.

Exercise also supports weight control. Overweight rabbits are at higher risk for mobility problems, dirty hindquarters, and foot sores. If your Rex seems less active, sits hunched, resists hopping, or avoids the litter box, ask your vet to check for pain, obesity, arthritis, dental disease, or early pododermatitis. A drop in activity is often one of the first clues that something is wrong.

Preventive care for a Rex rabbit starts with routine exams, weight checks, and careful observation at home. Your vet will usually assess teeth, feet, body condition, ears, eyes, and stool quality, and review diet and housing. Rabbits hide illness well, so small changes matter. A rabbit that is eating less, producing fewer droppings, drooling, losing weight, or sitting quietly in a corner needs prompt veterinary attention.

Spaying or neutering is an important preventive step for many rabbits. In females, spaying can reduce the risk of serious uterine disease later in life. Nail trims, regular grooming during shedding, clean litter areas, and soft dry flooring are especially important for Rex rabbits because of their foot sensitivity. Dental monitoring matters throughout life, even when the front teeth look normal, because cheek teeth problems can be hidden.

Vaccination recommendations vary by region, but Merck notes that the routine rabbit vaccine currently recommended for pet rabbits is for rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2, or RHDV-2. Rabbits in risk areas may need an initial series followed by annual boosters, so ask your vet what is appropriate where you live. Good preventive care also includes quarantine for new rabbits, parasite checks when indicated, and a plan for emergencies. For rabbits, waiting until morning after they stop eating can be too long.