Angora rabbits are big, fluffy, and loads of fun, each with their own unique personalities. There are extra steps and precautions that must be taken when caring for an Angora rabbit but with a little bit of effort and knowledge, it’s not difficult and can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. In this article we will look at some of the things that must be considered and extra care that must be taken when caring for Angora rabbits.
When you see an Angora rabbit for the first time, you’ll notice it has lots of hair… lots and lots of hair. This is both good and bad but it does take some extra care and effort. Since Angora rabbits are much more fuzzy than other bunnies, they hold in a lot more heat and thus aren’t well suited for hot climates. Even a warm summer day around 80 degrees can send these beautiful bunnies into shock if they don’t have adequate water and shade. As such, it is highly recommended that they be indoor pets, or at the very least, adequately protected from direct sunlight and hot weather. Frozen water bottles can help, but again, the best bet is to keep them in a climate controlled environment that doesn’t get excessively hot.
Another consideration is the hair itself. Angora wool is prized by weavers and clothing experts alike, yet many people don’t realize it comes from a rabbit. Yup, it does, and it takes a lot of work to get it. Depending on the climate in your area, Angora’s will molt (shed) a few times per year. They have two main coats: Their winter coat, and their summer coat. Even so, they require continual grooming and checking so the fine hairs don’t mat up, tangled, and start pulling on the rabbit’s skin. Remember, a well groomed Angora is a happy Angora.
If you don’t have anything else, a regular comb will work to groom an Angora, but it is far from ideal since it can’t get close to the skin and separate all the fine hairs. Special fine-tooth combs are sold for grooming pets and they work great for Angoras.
You may also want to take into consideration the type of cage provided for your Angora rabbit. A regular solid floor cage with animal bedding can be a major hassle when caring for Angoras. Their hair will always trap bits of bedding and can become very unsanitary if there are droppings or other bits of “bunny business” in there.
A better option is a cage with a wire mesh flooring. This allows droppings and extra material to fall below the floor to a separate tray or pan that will keep things more sanitary and make it easier to groom your bunny.
One final thought is in regards to water for your bunny. I’ve previously advocated using a water bowl for your bunny instead of a water bottle (since they will drink more water from a bowl) but unfortunately this is not the best option for Angoras. They simply have too much hair and their chest becomes soaked when drinking from a water bowl. So for Angoras, a water bottle is the way to go.
That about covers the major concerns with owning an Angora rabbit. Hopefully this is not as difficult as you may have first thought. With a few precautions and some extra care, Angoras are a great addition for anyone wanting one of these fun-loving pets.
