Frequently Asked Questions
Do Holland Lops make good Pets?
Yes! Holland Lops are generally very friendly, sociable rabbits and make excellent pets.
How big do Holland Lops get?
Hollands average 3.5 - 4 lb. A false dwarf Holland (does not carry the dwarf gene that makes most smaller - you can have false dwarfs in any litter) usually reaches 4 - 5 lb. False dwarfs tend to be more laid back.
How long do rabbits live?
A healthy, well cared for rabbit can live for 6-10 years.
Do rabbits need to see the vet regularly, or get any vaccinations?
No. Your rabbit only needs to visit the vet if he is sick. Most vets won't see rabbits and don't know much about them, so take care to locate a rabbit-savvy vet.
How much do your rabbits cost?
Our prices range from $50 for pets to $150+ for show rabbits. For further information on pricing and sales, please view our Sales Policy.
Do rabbits need to live together?
No. You rabbit will be perfectly happy living alone, with you as its companion. Very rarely can two rabbits of any sex live happily together, even if altered. No two unaltered rabbits of any sex should ever be kept together as pets. Most babies get along well, but will develop territorial behavior as they reach sexual maturity (4-6 months), which can result in fighting and death. It is true that many rabbits enjoy having other rabbits in the area, but NOT in the same cage. Rabbits are territorial animals and prefer to have their own personal space.
Should I get my rabbit spayed/neutered?
It's up to you. Personally, I see no reason to do so unless your rabbit is unhappy, very hormonal/territorial, or there is a medical reason. When bucks reach sexual maturity, they may spray. When does reach sexual maturity, they may become territorial of their space. This is called cage aggression, and in my experience does who are cage aggressive regain their "normal" personality when removed from their cage. I would say that about half of my does have been cage aggressive. Spaying/neutering usually corrects or reduces these hormonal/territorial behaviors in both bucks and does. The bottom line is this: surgery always poses a risk for rabbits. If you decide to have your rabbit spayed or neutered, do so with responsibility: make sure you have a good reason to have it altered, and use a rabbit-savvy vet.
Can rabbits be litter box trained?
Yes! Rabbits are naturally clean, orderly creatures. They can easily be taught to use a litter box.
Where should my rabbit live?
Rabbits should live in cages. A cage or hutch is the all-around safest method of housing. During the day, you can set up a playpen for your rabbit so that it can hop freely in and out of its cage to play, and/or let it have supervised playtime around the house. Rabbits can live indoors or out, so long as they have proper housing and protection from the elements.
What kind of cage is best for a Holland Lop?
A Holland Lop cage should have no less than 2 sq. ft. of space. 24" x 24" is a good starter size. A cage with a wire floor will keep your rabbit the healthiest and is the easiest to keep clean. Contrary to popular belief, a wire cage alone does NOT cause sore hocks in Hollands. Most Holland Lops have very thick, fluffy foot pads and don't feel the wire. (You can also purchase a plastic resting mat that snaps on the wire and still has slots for droppings. I have these in all of my cages, but my rabbits honestly don't pay attention to whether they're sitting on the mat or the wire.) Wire allows droppings and urine to fall through and keeps the rabbit from sitting in its waste. If the rabbit digs out its food or plays with its water, there will be no mess that it can sit in. However, if a rabbit is sitting in his own waste/mess on a solid surface, his hocks will become dirty and damp, which CAN cause sores. Solid-bottomed cages should only be used if your rabbit is trained to use a litter box, or if there is a section of the cage with a wire bottom where the rabbit can eliminate.
No. You rabbit will be perfectly happy living alone, with you as its companion. Very rarely can two rabbits of any sex live happily together, even if altered. No two unaltered rabbits of any sex should ever be kept together as pets. Most babies get along well, but will develop territorial behavior as they reach sexual maturity (4-6 months), which can result in fighting and death. It is true that many rabbits enjoy having other rabbits in the area, but NOT in the same cage. Rabbits are territorial animals and prefer to have their own personal space.
Should I get my rabbit spayed/neutered?
It's up to you. Personally, I see no reason to do so unless your rabbit is unhappy, very hormonal/territorial, or there is a medical reason. When bucks reach sexual maturity, they may spray. When does reach sexual maturity, they may become territorial of their space. This is called cage aggression, and in my experience does who are cage aggressive regain their "normal" personality when removed from their cage. I would say that about half of my does have been cage aggressive. Spaying/neutering usually corrects or reduces these hormonal/territorial behaviors in both bucks and does. The bottom line is this: surgery always poses a risk for rabbits. If you decide to have your rabbit spayed or neutered, do so with responsibility: make sure you have a good reason to have it altered, and use a rabbit-savvy vet.
Can rabbits be litter box trained?
Yes! Rabbits are naturally clean, orderly creatures. They can easily be taught to use a litter box.
Where should my rabbit live?
Rabbits should live in cages. A cage or hutch is the all-around safest method of housing. During the day, you can set up a playpen for your rabbit so that it can hop freely in and out of its cage to play, and/or let it have supervised playtime around the house. Rabbits can live indoors or out, so long as they have proper housing and protection from the elements.
What kind of cage is best for a Holland Lop?
A Holland Lop cage should have no less than 2 sq. ft. of space. 24" x 24" is a good starter size. A cage with a wire floor will keep your rabbit the healthiest and is the easiest to keep clean. Contrary to popular belief, a wire cage alone does NOT cause sore hocks in Hollands. Most Holland Lops have very thick, fluffy foot pads and don't feel the wire. (You can also purchase a plastic resting mat that snaps on the wire and still has slots for droppings. I have these in all of my cages, but my rabbits honestly don't pay attention to whether they're sitting on the mat or the wire.) Wire allows droppings and urine to fall through and keeps the rabbit from sitting in its waste. If the rabbit digs out its food or plays with its water, there will be no mess that it can sit in. However, if a rabbit is sitting in his own waste/mess on a solid surface, his hocks will become dirty and damp, which CAN cause sores. Solid-bottomed cages should only be used if your rabbit is trained to use a litter box, or if there is a section of the cage with a wire bottom where the rabbit can eliminate.
Other then regular daily chores (feeding, watering, cage-cleaning), what special care does a rabbit need?
Rabbits need their nails trimmed every month or so. Some breeds will need to be brushed - Holland Lops don't have particularly long fur, but should be brushed every once and awhile. Some rabbits will need their scent glands (located on either side of the genitals) wiped out occasionally, though in my experience, most will do it on their own.
How do I pick up my rabbit?
Handling a rabbit is not that hard! The key is to be gentle, but firm. Rabbits hate feeling like they're dangling in the air, and feel much more comfortable with their feet planted on something firm. To pick up a rabbit, have it facing you. Place one hand under its rump and the other under its stomach, just behind the front legs. Bring the rabbit towards yourself. There are two ways to carry a rabbit once you have picked it up. The first is to hold it upright to your chest, with one hand firmly supporting its rump and the other on its back. The second (and safest) way is similar to the way you would hold a football. With the rabbit's head under your arm, hold it against your body and wrap your hand around to its rump, supporting its feet. Place your other hand on its back. When you set a rabbit down or put it back in its cage, always have its head facing you. Otherwise, the rabbit may become excited and attempt to leap forward out of your arms, and injure itself. NEVER pick up a rabbit by its ears or the scruff of the neck.
Do rabbits need exercise?
Absolutely! Rabbits need regular exercise outside of their cage. You can use a playpen or bunny-proofed room for supervised playtime, or get your rabbit used to wearing a harness and let it take you on walks.
What about toys?
Rabbits LOVE toys! Holland Lops, in particular, take a fancy to their playthings. Pet stores offer a wide array of toys to choose from, but your rabbit will enjoy playing with homemade toys or household objects just as much. Most rabbits enjoy having an item they can toss around. Hard plastic baby keys, links, and balls with holes are wonderful for this. Non-dyed cardboard is also safe and healthy for rabbits to chew on. You can offer empty toilet paper rolls and boxes as toys for your bunny.
What do rabbits eat?
A balanced rabbit diet consists of high-quality pelleted feed and hay (timothy or orchard grass). We feed and recommend Rowe 16-18, though most rabbits will do fine on any fresh feed. Do not purchase any feed from a pet store. The best feeds are purchased from dealers or farm stores. If you own only one pet rabbit, it will be more convenient for you to get your feed from a store, rather than have to order it from a dealer. Tractor Supply carries several different brands of rabbit feed that come in 25 lb. and 50 lb. bags. Hay is also essential to a rabbit's diet. Because most pelleted feeds are alfalfa-based, feeding alfalfa hay in addition to that is a big no-no. Both timothy and orchard grass hay are wonderful options that rabbits enjoy. Hay can be purchased in bales from feed stores, or in small bags from pet stores. Old-fashioned oats are a favorite treat among rabbits, and can be given to babies as soon as they begin to eat pellets. Your rabbit will enjoy a few oats sprinkled on top of his daily food ration. Don't forget the most important part of a rabbit's diet: fresh water!
Can my rabbit have treats?
Rabbits that are over 6 months old can safely be fed the occasional treat. NEVER feed any treat to a rabbit under 6 months of age; young bunnies have sensitive digestive systems that don't react well to change. Though most rabbits enjoy treats, they are by no means essential to a balanced diet and should always be fed in small quantities, no more than a few times per week. Several of our rabbits' favorites are: banana, apple, carrot, dandelion, and yogurt. NEVER feed a rabbit lettuce. Before giving your rabbit any treat that you are unsure of, do your research; many plants and foods are toxic to rabbits.
Rabbits need their nails trimmed every month or so. Some breeds will need to be brushed - Holland Lops don't have particularly long fur, but should be brushed every once and awhile. Some rabbits will need their scent glands (located on either side of the genitals) wiped out occasionally, though in my experience, most will do it on their own.
How do I pick up my rabbit?
Handling a rabbit is not that hard! The key is to be gentle, but firm. Rabbits hate feeling like they're dangling in the air, and feel much more comfortable with their feet planted on something firm. To pick up a rabbit, have it facing you. Place one hand under its rump and the other under its stomach, just behind the front legs. Bring the rabbit towards yourself. There are two ways to carry a rabbit once you have picked it up. The first is to hold it upright to your chest, with one hand firmly supporting its rump and the other on its back. The second (and safest) way is similar to the way you would hold a football. With the rabbit's head under your arm, hold it against your body and wrap your hand around to its rump, supporting its feet. Place your other hand on its back. When you set a rabbit down or put it back in its cage, always have its head facing you. Otherwise, the rabbit may become excited and attempt to leap forward out of your arms, and injure itself. NEVER pick up a rabbit by its ears or the scruff of the neck.
Do rabbits need exercise?
Absolutely! Rabbits need regular exercise outside of their cage. You can use a playpen or bunny-proofed room for supervised playtime, or get your rabbit used to wearing a harness and let it take you on walks.
What about toys?
Rabbits LOVE toys! Holland Lops, in particular, take a fancy to their playthings. Pet stores offer a wide array of toys to choose from, but your rabbit will enjoy playing with homemade toys or household objects just as much. Most rabbits enjoy having an item they can toss around. Hard plastic baby keys, links, and balls with holes are wonderful for this. Non-dyed cardboard is also safe and healthy for rabbits to chew on. You can offer empty toilet paper rolls and boxes as toys for your bunny.
What do rabbits eat?
A balanced rabbit diet consists of high-quality pelleted feed and hay (timothy or orchard grass). We feed and recommend Rowe 16-18, though most rabbits will do fine on any fresh feed. Do not purchase any feed from a pet store. The best feeds are purchased from dealers or farm stores. If you own only one pet rabbit, it will be more convenient for you to get your feed from a store, rather than have to order it from a dealer. Tractor Supply carries several different brands of rabbit feed that come in 25 lb. and 50 lb. bags. Hay is also essential to a rabbit's diet. Because most pelleted feeds are alfalfa-based, feeding alfalfa hay in addition to that is a big no-no. Both timothy and orchard grass hay are wonderful options that rabbits enjoy. Hay can be purchased in bales from feed stores, or in small bags from pet stores. Old-fashioned oats are a favorite treat among rabbits, and can be given to babies as soon as they begin to eat pellets. Your rabbit will enjoy a few oats sprinkled on top of his daily food ration. Don't forget the most important part of a rabbit's diet: fresh water!
Can my rabbit have treats?
Rabbits that are over 6 months old can safely be fed the occasional treat. NEVER feed any treat to a rabbit under 6 months of age; young bunnies have sensitive digestive systems that don't react well to change. Though most rabbits enjoy treats, they are by no means essential to a balanced diet and should always be fed in small quantities, no more than a few times per week. Several of our rabbits' favorites are: banana, apple, carrot, dandelion, and yogurt. NEVER feed a rabbit lettuce. Before giving your rabbit any treat that you are unsure of, do your research; many plants and foods are toxic to rabbits.