Angora Rabbit Care
The Angora breed is medium maintenance and they are inexpensive to keep. They do not need regular vaccinations. However, they do have specific needs.
This breed does require large cages. An adult should have a 30 x 36" wire cage. If the Angora is a male, a 30 x 30" is acceptable but not ideal. Does and their kits absolutely need 30 x 36" or larger cages.
GROOMING:
Grooming is a very important part of caring for an Angora rabbit. They need to be combed out 1 or 2 times per week to prevent matting, though some Angoras can be brushed less and others need more. Angoras naturally shed their coat about every 90 days, so their coat at this time requires special care. You can either pluck or shear their coat. I recommend plucking, which is gently pulling the loose strands of wool out. When plucked, the wool strands are longer and more even than when sheared from the rabbit, making it easier to spin into yarn. When shearing a rabbit, take care that you do not cut the rabbit's thin skin. There are multiple tutorial videos on YouTube of plucking or shearing rabbits. When an Angora starts loosing it's coat, it must be removed (either by plucking or shearing) or mats, and possible serious health problems result. Otherwise, their grooming is the same as other rabbits.
Grooming is a very important part of caring for an Angora rabbit. They need to be combed out 1 or 2 times per week to prevent matting, though some Angoras can be brushed less and others need more. Angoras naturally shed their coat about every 90 days, so their coat at this time requires special care. You can either pluck or shear their coat. I recommend plucking, which is gently pulling the loose strands of wool out. When plucked, the wool strands are longer and more even than when sheared from the rabbit, making it easier to spin into yarn. When shearing a rabbit, take care that you do not cut the rabbit's thin skin. There are multiple tutorial videos on YouTube of plucking or shearing rabbits. When an Angora starts loosing it's coat, it must be removed (either by plucking or shearing) or mats, and possible serious health problems result. Otherwise, their grooming is the same as other rabbits.
FEEDING:
Angoras need a high fiber and protein diet to maintain a healthy gut and wool production. Aside from a grass hay and fresh water, they will need a pelleted food. We feed our Angoras ADM Pen Pals 18% protein, and they do very well on it. Alfalfa hay is not good for angoras in large amounts because it is rich and too high in calcium.
TREATS: Occasional treats such as fresh leaf lettuce (not iceburg), collard greens, kale, broccoli, oatmeal, or a small amount of dried fruit are very good for Angoras. We feed our Angoras fresh greens about 2 times a week for digestive health (see wool block below).
They also like toys and things to chew on such as: cardboard tubes, small cereal boxes, and small sticks or bark.
Angoras need a high fiber and protein diet to maintain a healthy gut and wool production. Aside from a grass hay and fresh water, they will need a pelleted food. We feed our Angoras ADM Pen Pals 18% protein, and they do very well on it. Alfalfa hay is not good for angoras in large amounts because it is rich and too high in calcium.
TREATS: Occasional treats such as fresh leaf lettuce (not iceburg), collard greens, kale, broccoli, oatmeal, or a small amount of dried fruit are very good for Angoras. We feed our Angoras fresh greens about 2 times a week for digestive health (see wool block below).
They also like toys and things to chew on such as: cardboard tubes, small cereal boxes, and small sticks or bark.
Papaya Enzyme Tablets are available
at Health Food stores
WOOL BLOCK:
Wool block is a condition Angora rabbits get from ingesting too much of their own fiber while grooming (especially when they shed their coat). It cannot be ignored. Unlike cats or other animals, rabbits cannot regurgitate the wool in their gut, so it remains, causing their appetite to decrease because they feel as if they are already full. Feeding fresh greens (and hay) only, for 1 day of the week helps clear their digestive tract of grains and wool. Some say Papaya enzyme tablets are also an option, however fresh or dried is preferred. It is not proven this helps, but we feed our Angoras Papaya EnzymeTables as treats. The tablets are available at most health food stores and/or grocery stores.
Pay close attention to your rabbit's droppings. If they are strung together by wool, that is a sign that they may have wool block and may need more greens in their diet. Small droppings, decrease or lack of appetite, and lethargy are all signs of wool block. If a rabbit doesn't recover promptly or worsens , all of its wool should be sheared off to prevent any more wool consumption. Keep a rabbit with wool block hydrated (with syringes full if it will not drink). Wool block is a possible condition in Angora rabbits, but is not too common and can be treated. It can be prevented by proper diet and attention. We have never had a case of Wool Block.
Angora Ownership:
Angora rabbit owners need to pay attention to their rabbits and do their research! Angora Rabbits are rewarding pets to have. They have excellent, calm temperaments, and beautiful, useful wool.