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Home > Rabbits > Cinnamon Rabbit Breed Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Cinnamon Rabbit Breed Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

cinnamon rabbit

According to Bob Ross, there are no mistakes, only happy accidents. One of those happy accidents is the Cinnamon Rabbit, which has become a relatively popular and beloved pet. Do you want to adopt a Cinnamon Rabbit but are unsure if they’re right for you and your family? We’ll discuss everything you need to know about these friendly, funny bunnies.

Breed Overview

Size:

Medium

Weight:

Up to 12 pounds

Lifespan:

5–9 years

Similar Breeds:

New Zealand rabbit, Californian rabbit

Suitable for:

Large households, families with children, singles, 1st-time rabbit owners

Temperament:

Docile, social, friendly, playful, curious

Cinnamon Rabbits are known as “all-purpose” rabbits because they’re great as pets, beautiful enough to be show bunnies, and are also prized for their meat and their fur. What’s interesting about this breed is that they were produced from an accidental mating between a New Zealand rabbit and a chinchilla! That was in the 1960s, and by 1972, the Cinnamon Rabbit was accepted as a breed by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA).

Cinnamon Rabbit Characteristics

Energy:
Trainability:
Health:
Lifespan:
Sociability:

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How Much Do These Rabbits Cost?

cinnamon rabbit breed
Image Credit: Vezzani Photography, Shutterstock

Although not extremely common, the Cinnamon Rabbit isn’t rare, either. Finding kittens is relatively easy compared to some breeds, especially if you live in the United States. Cinnamon Rabbits sold by breeders typically cost $50 to $80.

Of course, you can’t have a rabbit without the right gear and supplies. That includes a hutch, which will set you back about $100 to $200. You’ll also need a litter box and litter, a water bottle, bowls, toys, and plenty of fresh hay. Your initial bill for all the rabbit gear will be around $300, give or take a few dollars.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cinnamon Rabbit

One of the main reasons the Cinnamon rabbit is popular is that the breed is docile, friendly, and, at times, playful. They’re one of the more social rabbits and tolerate handling better than many of their bunny cousins. While not incredibly intelligent, anecdotal evidence points to Cinnamon rabbits as a bit easier to potty train than other breeds.

Do These Rabbits Make Good Pets?

Although all rabbits are unique and have different personalities, the average Cinnamon rabbit will make a very good pet, especially for active families with children. Of course, any child handling your Cinnamon should be instructed on how to do it correctly so they don’t injure your pet or get injured when it scratches or kicks.

Luckily, as mentioned earlier, Cinnamon rabbits tolerate being handled better than other breeds and are pretty playful. As an active animal, the Cinnamon rabbit needs significantly more space than most, including a larger hutch. They’re amazing runners and hoppers! In other words, a Cinnamon rabbit might not be a good choice if you live in an apartment.

Does This Rabbit Get Along With Other Pets?

Rabbits are social animals, and the Cinnamon rabbit is no different. They get along with other rabbits, but males don’t like living with other males. As for getting along with other pets, that depends on several factors. For example, a Cinnamon rabbit and a cat or dog raised together will likely get along.

However, getting along might be out of the question if you introduce a Cinnamon rabbit into a household with an adult dog or a cat, and either one has a high prey drive. Unfortunately, even an affectionate Golden Retriever is so large that it can cause a Cinnamon to have undue stress, which can eventually cause health issues.

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Things to Know When Owning a Cinnamon Rabbit

Food & Diet Requirements 🥕

While Cinnamon rabbits don’t have any special diet requirements compared to other rabbits, like all bunnies, they need a constant supply of fresh hay to stay healthy. Not only will hay provide the nutrition they need, but it also prevents their teeth from overgrowing and keeps their digestive system functioning correctly. A combination of 80% fresh hay and 20% leafy greens is ideal, but you can also serve a small portion of rabbit pellets. Of course, as with all living creatures, your rabbit will need a constant supply of fresh, clean water to stay healthy.

Habitat & Hutch Requirements 🏠

Your pet’s hutch should also be large enough to have one area for sleeping and another for eating and going potty. A hutch that’s 2 feet wide by 3 feet long and at least 18 inches high is perfect for a single Cinnamon rabbit.

Cinnamon rabbits can be kept indoors or out, but most owners prefer to keep them indoors. If kept outside, placing their hutch in a partially shaded area is necessary as they can overheat quickly. Your Cinnamon’s hutch should have a solid floor rather than a wire one to prevent problems and injuries to their hocks.

If you keep your Cinnamon rabbit outdoors, you should provide a larger hutch so they can run around. Lastly, if you plan to keep two rabbits together, you’ll need a hutch that’s twice as large.

Exercise & Sleeping Needs 🐇

Like all rabbits, the Cinnamon is crepuscular, which means that it’s most active in the early morning and late afternoon. They don’t sleep through the night but are much less active. It’s recommended to place their hutch in an area of your home that’s calm and dark at night.

Training 🥎

Although rabbits have similar intelligence to cats and dogs, they don’t do well with training. Yes, most can be potty trained, but that’s simply a matter of placing hay near their litter box, as most rabbits like to eat while they go potty. One thing you should do, however, is start socializing your pet as early as possible so that it gets used to handling, petting, and being around people.

Grooming ✂️

Your Cinnamon rabbit must be brushed once or twice a week because they shed more than some breeds. Brushing will help you thin out their coat and keep your home from becoming a fur-filled mess. Your bunny’s nails also need to be trimmed regularly, and your veterinarian can show you how. It’s relatively easy, but some rabbits get squeamish and try to escape.

Lifespan and Health Conditions 🏥

Cinnamon rabbits are a hearty breed with very few congenital issues. However, like all rabbits, Cinnamon rabbits have a bad habit of hiding their health issues. Therefore, you should have your bunny buddy checked out by your veterinarian biannually to prevent minor health issues from becoming significant medical concerns.

Minor Conditions
  • Parasites, ticks, fleas, mites (outdoor kept)
  • Foot Pad sores (wire hutch floor)
  • Handling injuries (drops, squeezing, etc.)
Serious Conditions
  • Overgrown and misaligned teeth (malocclusion)
  • Respiratory infections
  • GI stasis
  • Bloat
  • Uterine tumors (females)
  • Flystrike (outdoor kept)

Male vs Female

Veterinarians highly recommend having your Cinnamon rabbit neutered or spayed. Females can develop uterine tumors if they aren’t fixed, and males tend to be more aggressive if they aren’t neutered. Also, neutering will prevent your male rabbit from spraying all over your house and its hutch. Lastly, both male and female Cinnamon rabbits tend to live longer lives when they’ve been desexed.

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3 Little-Known Facts About Cinnamon Rabbits

1. Cinnamon rabbits Were Originally Bred to Be Eaten

Once their calm, affectionate, and playful nature was discovered, they started being bred more as friends than food.


2. Cinnamon Rabbits Only Come in a Rust or Ground Cinnamon Color

You won’t find this breed winning any awards for having the most color profiles.


3. Two American Children Created the Happy Accident, Known as the Cinnamon Rabbit

Belle and Fred Houseman developed the rabbit as part of a 4-H project.

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Final Thoughts

Cinnamon rabbits are docile creatures that make excellent family pets. They are very social and thrive when engaging with humans and other small animals, and they aren’t recommended for busy people away from home most of the day.

One thing you must keep in mind before adopting a Cinnamon is that they need a lot more space to run around and play than most breeds. If you keep them outdoors, protecting them with fencing is essential since the rabbits can run up to 40 mph and jump incredibly far. All things considered, the Cinnamon rabbit is a beautiful animal that makes a good pet and companion for the right person or family.


Featured Image Credit: Carmen Romero19, Shutterstock

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