Rabbit · Medium Breed
Mini Rex
The Mini Rex is a small rabbit breed best known for its unusually dense, velvety coat and calm, friendly nature. Typically weighing around 3.5 to 4.5 pounds, it is a popular companion rabbit because it is affectionate, relatively easy to handle, and comes in many recognized colors.
The Calculator
How old is your Mini Rex in human years?
At 1 year old
Your Mini Rex is approximately 8 in human years.
Field Notes
About the Mini Rex
The Mini Rex was developed in the United States in the 1980s from Rex-type rabbits bred for their plush fur texture in a smaller body size. It quickly gained popularity as both a show rabbit and a pet, and it is now one of the most recognized small companion rabbit breeds.
Mini Rex rabbits are often described as gentle, curious, and people-oriented, although individual personalities vary. Many enjoy human interaction and can become very social when handled kindly and consistently from a young age.
For care, Mini Rex rabbits need a spacious enclosure, a high-fiber diet based mostly on grass hay, measured pellets, fresh leafy greens, and constant access to clean water. Their living area should stay clean and dry because their fine fur and relatively delicate foot padding can make them more prone to sore hocks on rough or dirty surfaces.
Although small, Mini Rex rabbits are active and need daily time outside the cage or pen for supervised exercise and enrichment. Safe space to hop, explore, chew appropriate toys, and interact with people helps prevent boredom, obesity, and stress-related behaviors.
Temperament
Exercise Needs
moderate
Health Watch
- Dental overgrowth and malocclusion
- Gastrointestinal stasis
- Sore hocks (ulcerative pododermatitis)
- Obesity
- Respiratory infections
Grooming
The Mini Rex has a short, plush coat that needs only light weekly grooming, with extra gentle brushing during shedding periods.
Growth Curve
Mini Rex weight chart
Typical weight progression from young to adult. The tinted band marks the healthy adult range — 1.4–2 kg.
Nutrition, Staged
Mini Rex Feeding Guide
Stage-based portions tuned to breed energy requirements. Use as a starting point — your veterinarian tailors the final numbers.
Formative years
Young
Follow breed-specific puppy feeding guidelines
Peak years
Adult
Follow breed-specific adult feeding guidelines
Mature years
Senior
Follow breed-specific senior feeding guidelines
Questions, Answered
On the Mini Rex
Mini Rex rabbits can make excellent family pets because they are usually calm, friendly, and manageable in size. They still need gentle handling and supervision around young children, since rabbits can be injured easily if held improperly or dropped.
Their coat is low-maintenance compared with many longer-haired rabbit breeds, so they usually only need light weekly grooming. During seasonal sheds, more frequent gentle brushing helps reduce loose fur and lowers the risk of excess hair ingestion.
The foundation of the diet should be unlimited grass hay, which supports healthy digestion and proper tooth wear. Adults should also get measured pellets, fresh leafy greens, and clean water daily, while sugary treats and high-starch foods should be kept very limited.
Like other rabbits, they can develop dental disease, gastrointestinal stasis, obesity, and respiratory illness if husbandry is poor. Mini Rex rabbits are also somewhat prone to sore hocks because their velvety coat provides less protective cushioning on the feet than some other breeds.
Mini Rex rabbits need daily out-of-enclosure time in a safe, rabbit-proofed space so they can run, hop, and explore. Regular exercise is important for muscle tone, digestive health, mental stimulation, and preventing weight gain.
Adjacent Breeds
