Palomino Rabbit

1 Palomino Rabbit Breed Overview

Palomino Rabbit (details)

The Palomino Rabbit is a typical developed breed. As a large rabbit, it should be a meat breed, but it is a full pet rabbit—perhaps for its beauty, or because some simply like large rabbits. Whatever the reason, the Palomino Rabbit is endearing.

Chinese Name: Palomino Rabbit

English Name: Palomino

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Lagomorpha

Family: Leporidae

Genus: Oryctolagus (rabbit)

Species: Palomino Rabbit

Type and weight: Meat rabbit, standard weight 8–11 kg, one of the largest

Breeding purpose: Developed in Washington by Mr. Young for commercial purposes; only two colors, Golden and Lynx

Reproduction: Live-bearing (viviparous)

Temperament: Lazy and docile, becomes bold once familiar with owner

Diet: Herbivorous, likes dry hay

2 Physical Characteristics of the Palomino Rabbit

The Palomino Rabbit originated in Washington; a breeder began developing rabbits in 1910, buying meat rabbits from market to create a new breed. Seeing a tan rabbit, he kept the tan gene, crossing meat rabbits with tan ones, and through continuous breeding produced a tan meat rabbit—a new breed.

3 Palomino Rabbit Care Knowledge

Palomino Rabbit (details)

The Palomino Rabbit is a lovely pet breed. As a large pet rabbit, its appetite is very strong and it grows fast, so owners must do daily care to avoid illness.

1. Normally feed the Palomino Rabbit special rabbit pellets. It gets diarrhea from unclean water; boiled water is best.

2. Some owners feed carrots and cabbage, but its stomach is sensitive; vegetables and fruit are snacks, not excessive, to avoid diarrhea.

3. After bringing it home, do not keep it caged constantly; let it run and jump regularly—it will be happy.

4. Correct holding: gently grab the scruff with one hand and immediately support the body with the other; never grab the ears, which are full of capillaries and fragile.

5. A cornered Palomino Rabbit will bite; if bitten, seek medical care to avoid tetanus.

6. Buy pet rabbits from regular markets and vaccinate promptly.

7. Some Palomino Rabbits have parasites and skin disease transmissible to humans, so keep them in a cage outside the bedroom and limit children’s close contact.

4 Palomino Rabbit Living Environment

Palomino Rabbit (details)

In setting up the Palomino Rabbit’s environment, the most important aspects are the cage and water gear, as they relate first to health. Here is how to choose suitable cage and water gear.

I. Cage choice

Many use the cage that comes with the rabbit, which is unsuitable—too narrow, making the rabbit uncomfortable, and with a new environment it easily dies from stress. Choose as large a cage as possible.

II. Water bottle choice

Many use a dog bowl for water, which is wrong. A rabbit’s mouth structure means it can only drink from a ball-point bottle; bowl drinking causes wet dermatitis, chin inflammation and ulcers, then septicemia and death. So buy a ball-point water bottle.

III. Does the Palomino Rabbit need a chew stone?

Rabbits chew, so provide a chew stone. Without it, the two continuously growing incisors overgrow, preventing the mouth from closing, causing mouth ulcers and death from inability to eat.

IV. Floor mat choice

Many cages lack a floor mat, so the rabbit stands on wire long-term, easily getting foot pad dermatitis. Choose a suitable floor mat.

5 Palomino Rabbit Care Tips

Palomino Rabbit (details)

The Palomino Rabbit eats a lot; keeping it is expensive—a real foodie. As the saying goes, illness enters through the mouth, so pay attention to food choice and hygiene to prevent illness.

I. Choosing rabbit pellets

Adults eat mainly dry hay, then fresh vegetables and pellets; skip snacks. One or two servings of fresh fruit a week make it happy! Hay is vital for gut and teeth and helps pass hair, so supply unlimited. Hay is essential in a pet rabbit’s healthy diet.

II. Vegetable notes

All vegetables must be thoroughly washed. Portion by leaf size and the rabbit’s size and constitution. Do not give several untried foods at once. For untried vegetables, start with a little—about half to one leaf.

Vegetables the Palomino Rabbit should not eat: corn, cabbage and cauliflower, some beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, taro, mushrooms, nuts, tea—none of these.

III. Vegetables the Palomino Rabbit can eat

It loves many vegetables: cabbage, baby cabbage, choy sum, cabbage heart, Shanghai bok choy, lettuce, romaine, napa, baby bok choy, mustard greens, and other common ones.