Do Giant Bunnies Make Good Family Pets? A Vet Weighs In!

Generally, when you consider a pet bunny, you probably imagine a small, meek and diminutive creature, smaller than even your average toy dog breed. However, that's not true of all rabbits, as some of them can get surprisingly large. In fact, Flemish Giant Rabbits, for example, can grow to be up to 22 lbs. and over 4 feet long! Even if the average large rabbit doesn't grow to be quite so huge, these big bunnies as pets can get a lot heftier than you'd expect.

That means that because rabbits aren't all the same size, pet parents can't afford to take a "one size fits all" approach with them. The spatial and care needs of a big breed like the Flemish Giant or the Giant Angora will be much different than those of a small-breed bunny like the Fuzzy Lop or Dwarf Hotot. Even if one won't technically take up as much space as, say, a large dog, these active animals still need a considerable amount of elbow room and exercise area to live comfortably!

So what should prospective pet adopters be aware of if they're considering a big rabbit for a pet-and for that matter, do big rabbits even make good family pets? We spoke with seasoned JustAnswer veterinarian Dr. Kim Meijer to get the answers to those questions and the 411 on all the facts. Let's hop to it!

Popular Breeds of Big Rabbits for Pets

Before we dive into Dr. Meijer's answer, we thought we'd set the criteria for the type of pet bunny we're talking about here. Generally speaking, when we're talking about enormous bunny breeds, we're referring to ones that have a healthy adult weight of 10 pounds or more (for reference, the average weight of a standard adult rabbit is around 6 pounds). This includes breeds like the aforementioned Flemish Giant and Giant Angora, as well as other big buns like the American Chinchilla, Checkered Giant, and French Lop. That's why its important to determine the breed of your bunny before you adopt, even if they're just a baby-you'll want to know just how big they can potentially get!

Big Bunnies as Pets: What Adopters Need To Know

When it comes to big bunnies as pets, if you're serious about adding one to your family, it's important to know just what you're in for in terms of spatial considerations, exercise regimens, diet, veterinary care, and more. Dr. Meijer gave us the lowdown on all basics below, though we recommend consulting your vet for personalized information, as this is general advice, and all individual animals are unique.

How Much Space Does a Large Bunny Rabbit Need?

For a giant rabbit enclosure, Dr. Meijer recommends allotting at least a space of 36 inches wide, 36 inches tall, and 120 inches long, but that's only if you have just one giant rabbit. "For each extra rabbit, it is recommended to double the size of the enclosure," adds Dr. Meiher. "It is recommended to always keep rabbits in pairs, as they really benefit from having a partner."

And remember, those numbers represent only the minimum recommended space allotment for your giant rabbits. The more room you can give them, the better! If your rabbits aren't able to comfortably run around and exercise in their space, it isn't enough.

"For rabbits, it is important that they are able to run in their enclosure; their enclosure also needs to be high enough for them to be able to sit upright, jump, and binky," says Dr. Meijer. "Binkying is a type of behavior they show when they are very happy. They will jump in the air, twist their body and kick their legs, all at the same time!"

What Does a Healthy Exercise and Training Regimen Look Like For a Giant Pet Rabbit?

Unlike a dog, you don't necessarily have to take your bunny out on leashed walks, nor teach them how to sit, stand, and heel. But rabbits do need plenty of exercise nonetheless, and they (and you) can benefit from training that redirects their energy away from destructive behaviors. "Ideally, they would have supervised time outside of their enclosure each day. This is very important for giant breeds as it helps to prevent joint problems and obesity," Dr. Meijer recommends. "3 hours a day is an ideal amount for them to spend outside of their enclosure."

And while training a rabbit might sound unusual, to say the least, it's not a very far-out concept at all. In fact, rabbits are pretty clever and, with the right kind of guidance, can be trained to do lots of things. "They are usually very smart and can be trained to use a litter tray, or you can teach them tricks," Dr. Meijer told us. "There is a great book called 'High Five With Your Rabbit,' which will give you many ideas on training and exercising them."

What Are The Dietary Needs of a Giant Pet Rabbit?

Big bunnies as pets need to be fed the right food to stay happy and healthy. "The most important part of their diet for any rabbit is fiber, which they need in the form of hay," says Dr. Meijer. "They need access to fresh, high-quality hay 24/7. Timothy hay is a very good option. Next to hay, a large amount of fresh greens is recommended daily."

Hay alone can make up to 80-90% of a rabbit's diet, and with the addition of some fresh greens, there isn't that much more that they need, with one exception. Dr. Meijer strongly recommends supplementing your rabbit's diet with pellet food to ensure that they're getting sufficient vitamins and minerals.

How much food do giant rabbits eat? "The amount will depend on their weight," Dr. Meijer explains. "The guidelines are 1/8 to 1/4 cup of pellets per 5 lbs of body weight. More than this can cause obesity. Pellets are preferred over a mixed grain diet, as then they can pick and choose what they eat, whereas with the pellets, they can't pick and choose. They will also need to have fresh water available at all times."

Potential Health Concerns of Giant Pet Bunnies

All pets, regardless of species or size, will need veterinary care throughout their lives. However, Dr. Meijer warns the parents of giant rabbits to be on the lookout for a few specific health problems that these big bunnies are more susceptible to:

• Pododermatitis: This is inflammation of the hocks, and it is often a problem among giant rabbits due to the extra pressure on their hocks. Dr. Meijer recommends that parents check their bunny's hocks daily and make sure that they have dry, thick, and soft bedding to prevent extra pressure.
• Arthritis and Back Problems: These, Dr. Meijer tells us, are common issues among giant rabbits, especially overweight ones. The best preventative measure that pet parents can take, according to Dr. Meijer, is helping their bunnies maintain a healthy weight throughout their lives-hence the need for proper diet and exercise.
• Heart Problems: For similar reasons, giant rabbits may be more vulnerable to developing heart issues as well. Again, the best thing for pet parents to do here is to take their bunnies to regular vet checkups and help them maintain a healthy weight and an active lifestyle.
• Flystrike: This disturbing and devastating condition happens when flies lay their eggs in the folds of a rabbit's skin, usually around its rear. When the maggots hatch, they will eat the surrounding flesh, causing painful and life-threatening injuries. To prevent this, Dr. Meijer advises checking the skin at your rabbit's rear end twice daily and ensuring that the area remains dry and clean. If you notice any potential signs of flystrike, contact your emergency vet right away.

Are Giant Rabbits Good Pets?

While all of this is important information to know before adopting a giant rabbit, it doesn't necessarily answer the question of whether or not a giant rabbit makes a good family pet-or more specifically, whether or not it's a good pet for your family. One thing that parents should be mindful of, Dr. Meijer advises, is how their children will interact with their giant pet bunnies.

"Most rabbits are reluctant to be handled, as they are prey animals," warns Dr. Meijer. "However, if we respect their boundaries, they can be very cuddly and bond with their owners. We want to avoid lifting them, as this can injure their spine when they jump from your arms, and also, their legs are very powerful, which can cause scratches. We recommend handling them while sitting on the ground. For kids, this means that we need to explain how to handle a rabbit, which is better suited to kids who are a bit older and can understand why this is important."

With all that being said, Dr. Meijer also notes that giant rabbits do have a few advantages over smaller-sized rabbits in a family household, ones that shouldn't be overlooked. "The benefit of the giant breeds is that they are often calmer than the smaller-sized rabbits," Dr. Meijer adds. "Due to their larger size, they can often live together with cats and dogs quite well, as they are not as easily seen as prey animals by dogs and cats."

So, in conclusion, the question of whether or not giant bunny rabbits are good family pets will be different for each family. A giant rabbit might be a more challenging pet for a busy family in a small household with young kids than for a family with ample living space, older children, and extra free time for hands-on care. Ultimately, it's down to you to ask yourself whether or not you can feasibly give your rabbit the lifestyle it needs to thrive.

"An ideal home environment would be one with enough space for them to explore and spend time outside of their enclosure," Dr. Meijer concludes. "A pet parent who likes to train with them and bond with them on their terms. They make amazing family pets when their boundaries and special concerns are respected and considered."

Source:

Dr. Kim Meijer, JustAnswer veterinarian

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This story was originally published April 4, 2026 at 5:10 AM.