French Angora Rabbit Facts, Lifespan, and Traits – with Images

There are many things to consider before you decide to get a rabbit.

French Angoras are a beautiful addition to any family. However, they need a lot of attention and grooming. Here are some basics to help you decide if you want to get a French Angora.

Here are some quick facts about French Angora Rabbits

Species Name:	Oryctolagus cuniculus
Family:	Leporidae
Care Level	Moderate
Grooming Level:	High
Temperament:	Socializing with friends and family is easy when you are calm
Color Form:	Self, broken, shaded, and pointed white.
Lifespan:	7-12 years
Size:	7.5-10.5 lbs
Diet:	Hay, pellets, fresh foods
Minimum Cage Size:	24″x24″
Enclosure:	Indoor, cage, pen, outdoor, raised hutch
Compatibility:	Bonded rabbits

French Angora Rabbits

You’ve probably seen the easily recognized French Angora, with its fluffy head and fluffy body, at a rabbit show. French Angoras, the second-largest breed of rabbit, are bred for pets, showing, or wool. They are highly prized for their laid-back nature, unique coat, and ability to breed. These qualities are attractive to many people, but French Angoras require special care and attention which makes them unsuitable for pet homes.

French Angoras can produce about a pound each year of wool that can be used to feel or spin. It is prized for its softness and strength. These rabbits are able to tolerate cool temperatures due to their wool coat. However, they can’t withstand heat or cold so be careful when outside enclosures are used.

They are very social and docile and are an excellent choice for pet owners who are willing and able to take care of their grooming needs. These rabbits are best kept in separate enclosures, but they can be bonded with small animals if properly supervised.

What Does it Cost to Buy French Angora Rabbits?

French Angoras are available for as low as $20-250. However, this will vary depending on where you live. Show-quality rabbits will sell at a higher price than pets, much like purebred dogs.

There are many places where you can find French Angora for free. People underestimate the amount of care these rabbits need and will often give them away or sell them at a lower price to make it easier to keep them.

The Typical Behavior and Temperament

French Angoras are well-known for their calm, docile, and social nature. They need to be trained to handle them. They will become less fearful and more social as they get used to being handled. They are happy to roam around a home or pen and socialized French Angoras might seek attention from humans.

Appearance and Varieties

French Angora rabbits can be distinguished by their fluffy bodies. Their coat is a combination of a coarse undercoat and soft, fluffy hairs all over. Breeders consider this undesirable because their bodies are fluffier than their heads. Sometimes their ears are tipped in fluffy ear furnishings.

The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) recognizes these coat types of French Angoras.

• Agouti is the color of wild rabbits. You will see small bands of blue, tan, and fawn interspersed throughout.
• Broken: This color pattern involves a predominantly white body with scattered colors.
• Pointed white: These are white rabbits with different muzzles, feet, and ears.
• Self: The rabbit is one color throughout.
• Shaded: These are rabbits with lighter bodies and darker ears, feet, tails, and heads.
• Ticked means a solid-colored body that has tipped or solid hair guards of a different color interspersed throughout.
• Wide Band: This is a coloration that looks like agouti but the hairs don’t get tipped with dark colors like in agoutis.

How to Care for French Angora Rabbits

Habitat, Tank Conditions, and Setup

Enclosure:

These rabbits should be kept in an enclosure that is 24x24x24 inches at a minimum. An enclosure that measures 36x36x36 inches or more is preferable. A cage that has enough space to allow your rabbit to move around in their litter box is ideal. Although wire grates may be helpful, they can cause skin irritation and can lead to permanent damage. You should raise outdoor hutches to provide shelter from the elements.

For stimulation and socialization, it is important to have safe spaces that are not enclosed with your rabbit. French Angoras are happy to roam through entire houses or rooms, and they love exploring the outdoors. You should keep your indoor spaces free from pets and any dangerous items, such as electrical cords that the rabbit might chew on. You should also protect outdoor spaces from predatory birds and other dangerous chemicals.

French Angoras can learn to use a litter box, which makes cleaning up their cages easier. While some prefer to use the litter box, others prefer to keep their litter in a particular area of the cage. To reduce the amount of waste that can get stuck to your rabbit, a litter box is a great idea. A litter box with grates may be able to reduce the amount of waste that your rabbit produces.

Bedding:

French Angoras require low-dust bedding that is absorbent and will prevent urine from accumulating in the coat. As well as corn-based bedding, fiber-based bedding is an option. Products high in dust can cause severe irritation to rabbits’ respiratory systems. Therefore, products such as clay cat litter are not recommended for rabbits.

You can train these rabbits to use a litterbox. The litter box can be filled with either the same product as bedding or one made for small animals. It is up to you and your rabbit’s preferences.

Temperature:

French Angoras need to be kept at 50-75 degrees F, even in outdoor enclosures. They need shelter from the wind and snow in cold weather. For relief from the heat, you can use terracotta shelters, fans, ice water, and frozen treats in warmer weather.

Lighting:

These rabbits can be left alone with natural lighting. They don’t require any additional lighting in their cages.

Are French Angora Rabbits compatible with other pets?

French Angoras can get along with smaller animals like rabbits and guinea pigs. If they are bonded, they may get into a fight with other rabbits.

Slow introductions are important. It is best to supervise any time you spend with other animals.

Although some cats and dogs may be gentle with small animals like rabbits, it can pose a risk to their health as they are prey species. Even if you have never experienced prey drive in a dog or cat before, small animals can cause prey drive in predators. You should always be within arms reach of your cat or dog if your rabbit is introduced to them. Rabbits can be seriously injured by a dog or cat very quickly.

How to feed your French Angora Rabbits

French Angoras need hay, grass, or other roughage for up to 80%. These rabbits could develop wool blocks if their intestines are clogged by wool that was accidentally eaten during grooming. Timothy hay is the best choice for adult rabbits. They should have access to fresh Timothy Hay all the time. Fresh foods such as arugula and broccoli, cabbage, spinach, apples, peaches, melons, and spinach are also available to them.

French Angoras require a higher protein diet due to their constant wool production. This is especially important if they are to be raised for wool. It is possible to have to buy “pro”, “ultimate”, and “performance” rabbit food. For larger rabbits, you may need to feed them up to 1 cup per day. Overfeeding pellets can cause obesity. They are more nutritious than fresh food and hay, and should not be taken in excess.

How to Keep Your French Angora Rabbits Well

Many veterinarians that specialize in exotic animals will also care for rabbits. It is important to get your rabbit to a vet to have a health check when you bring them home. You should be aware that rabbits can develop fungal infections such as ringworm and mites.

To prevent wool block, ensure your French Angora has plenty of fiber. A brushing once a week will help reduce any loose wool that your rabbit might have accidentally swallowed while grooming. French Angoras require regular brushing and spot baths to maintain their coats. Rabbits are sensitive to mats, urine, and feces. Poor grooming can lead to discomfort and medical problems.

Breeding

It is important to do extensive research when breeding French Angoras. There are certain traits you should breed and others that you should avoid. It is important to know what types of coats and colors your matches will produce. You will get the best information by talking to an experienced and responsible breeder prior to breeding your rabbits.

French Angoras can start breeding at 6-9 months old and can be safely bred a few times per year. However, it can be difficult for them to be bred. Overbreeding can cause health and coat problems for the mother. To increase your chances of having a baby, give the female and male, also known as buck and doe, the chance to breed. After breeding, they should be separated and bucks shouldn’t be present during or after birth. Does are usually pregnant for between 28 and 31 days.

French Angoras require a safe area for the birth that is equipped with nesting material. The doe can be checked, but you should leave her alone unless there are any problems. Preventing mats and skin infections caused by birth fluids or urine can be done before the doe goes into labor.

Are French Angora rabbits suitable for you?

French Angoras can be beautiful, intelligent rabbits. They require a lot more time and responsibility for their care and grooming. These rabbits are not recommended for children as pets unless the owner is experienced in rabbit care. These rabbits are not suitable for either children or adults as starter pets.

If you are willing to care for your French Angora, you’ll be rewarded with a social, peaceful friend. French Angoras can be a great choice for showing rabbits. They are calm and full-coated, with fluffy ear tips, and a pleasant demeanor. French Angoras can be a great addition to your home if they are taken care of properly.