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The adorable Crème d’Argent Rabbit is known for its spunky and friendly personality. They have a distinctive coat color that’s a rich, creamy white with silver undertones. Their name comes from the French word for “silver cream.”
Breed Overview
Size:
Large
Weight:
8–11 pounds
Lifespan:
7–12 years
Similar Breeds:
Silver Fox and American Chinchilla
Suitable for:
Families of all kinds
Temperament:
Calm, docile, friendly
These bunnies have large-sized, compact bodies and very rounded heads. Their medium-sized ears stand upright. They’re very calm and docile, which makes them easy to keep as pets. Furthermore, they’re also regularly raised for meat, as they have a good meat-to-bone ratio.
Caring for these bunnies is a lot like caring for any other bunny. They require a suitable hutch or cage with ample space to move around in. You must also provide them with some fresh water, hay, fresh veggies, and commercial rabbit pellets. You may also need to groom them regularly.
As with any rabbit breed, it is essential to provide them with appropriate socialization, exercise, and veterinary care to ensure their well-being.
Crème d’Argent Rabbit Breed Characteristics
How Much Do These Rabbits Cost?
The cost of these rabbits can vary a bit, depending on your area, the quality of the rabbit, and the availability. Some breeders will charge more simply because they’ve been breeding rabbits for longer. However, on average, you can expect to pay somewhere between $50 to $150 for pet-quality rabbits. These rabbits are suitable for pets, but they may have extremely minor visual issues that make them unsuitable for the show ring. If you’re looking for a show-quality bunny, you can expect to pay $150 to $300. These rabbits are more expensive because the potential of breeding them for money later is higher.
It’s important to keep in mind that these price ranges are estimates and can vary significantly. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with purchasing a rabbit, such as transportation fees, supplies (cage, food, etc.), and initial veterinary care.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Crème d’Argent
These rabbits are considered calm and docile by most descriptions. They’re gentle and friendly, making them perfect for first-time rabbit owners. These rabbits tend to be exceptionally calm and less prone to nervous behavior than other rabbit breeds out there.
They’re often considered moderately intelligent. With plenty of patience and consistency, it’s much easier to train them than some other rabbit breeds. They can be trained to perform several behaviors and tricks. For instance, they can often be trained to use the litter box with ease.
It’s worth noting that individual rabbits may have variations in temperament and intelligence, just like any other animal.
Do These Rabbits Make Good Pets?
Because they are calm and easier to handle, these rabbits often make pretty decent pets. They’re suitable for first-time owners because they don’t necessarily require as much socialization as other bunnies before they put up with handling. Their gentle temperament also makes them suitable for older children, as they’re much less likely to be aggressive.
Many people also enjoy interacting with these rabbits because of their gentle demeanor.
These rabbits are surprisingly sociable, as well. They enjoy social interaction and can form strong relationships with their owners. They can be affectionate and enjoy being petted and cuddled. They crave human attention more than other breeds.
While not as trainable as your average dog, these rabbits also have a level of trainability. They can respond to their names and even be litter box trained. Often, with the correct training methods, this isn’t very difficult, either.
Crème d’Argent rabbits have a moderate energy level. They are not excessively high-energy rabbits, but they still benefit from regular exercise and stimulation. Providing them with opportunities for physical activity, such as supervised playtime and access to a safe, spacious area, is important for their well-being.
Does This Rabbit Get Along with Other Pets?
The Crème d’Argent will get along well with other pets in many situations. They often get along well with other rabbits when introduced properly. It’s important to socialize them gradually and in a neutral territory to avoid aggression. Supervising their early interactions is essential. Be sure to provide enough space and resources for both rabbits so that they don’t feel the need to fight each other.
With proper introductions and supervision, these rabbits can also live alongside well-behaved dogs and cats. The key is to ensure the safety of the rabbit by providing a secure and protected space where they can live. It is crucial to supervise interactions initially and gradually increase exposure while closely monitoring the behavior of all animals involved.
However, it’s important to note that predatory animals will certainly stress these rabbits out. Therefore, you should never leave them around cats and dogs for long periods and always keep a close eye.
Things to Know When Owning a Crème d’Argent:
Food & Diet Requirements 🥕
Just like all animals, these rabbits have specific dietary needs. If you want them to be healthy, these needs must be met.
Their main source of food should be fresh hay. This hay is high in fiber and helps wear their teeth down. Both of these aspects are essential for their overall well-being. Typically, Timothy hay or orchard grass is recommended. You should provide them with access to hay constantly, as it’s necessary to keep their digestive tract moving. About 70% of their diet should be hay.
You can also feed them a small number of veggies. These provide some extra nutrients that they cannot find in hay alone. You can also give them a small number of pellets daily. These provide some added nutrients, but they are high in calories, so give these in moderation.
Habitat & Hutch Requirements 🏠
These rabbits need a spacious enclosure to live in. They can live both indoors and out, but you must provide them with extra protection if you keep them outside. They need to be lifted off the ground and given a very strong, protected hutch.
If you keep them indoors, a large hutch or cage is necessary. Preferably, their enclosure should be at least 6 x 2 x 2 feet. They should have room to run around, stand all the way up on their hind legs, and turn around easily.
They will also need an exercise area that is at least 3 times the size of the cage. You’ll need to put them in this exercise area regularly to help them get enough exercise time.
Exercise & Sleeping Needs 🐇
To keep these rabbits happy and healthy, you must ensure their sleeping and exercise needs are met. Meeting these needs isn’t hard, but it does require a little bit of planning. You should give your rabbit at least 3 hours of free-range time a day. This can be in the garden inside an exercise pen or just around the house.
You’ll also need to provide plenty of mental stimulation. Chewing, puzzle toys, and other activities all fit this bill. These rabbits are quite social, so they will need to spend plenty of time with you too. Other rabbits can also help keep them from becoming lonely.
Just like you prepare their exercise space, you’ll also need to prepare their sleeping space. Preferably, these rabbits should have a quiet place to rest that is somewhat enclosed. It should have plenty of bedding and hay to snuggle in.
Training 🥎
These rabbits can be trained a little bit. They require plenty of positive reinforcement, though. They must be trained rather slowly and with lots of patience, as it will take them longer to catch on than other animals. You can teach these rabbits to use their little box and do some simple tricks, such as coming when called.
Grooming ✂️
Crème D’Argent rabbits do not need much grooming. They have relatively short fur that doesn’t shed much or require much human care. However, you should brush them about once or twice a week to remove what loose fur there is. A rabbit-friendly slicker brush is the best option.
You should also trim their nails every few weeks to prevent overgrowth. Overgrown nails can be extremely uncomfortable for your rabbit.
Lifespan and Health Conditions 🏥
These rabbits have an average lifespan of about 9 years. However, they can live up to 12 years in some cases. They are generally healthy rabbits, but they can be prone to some common health conditions, such as flystrike, ear mites, overgrown teeth, snuffles, and digestive problems.
Luckily, there is a lot you can do to prevent these health problems. Generally, simply taking proper care of your rabbit is enough. You need to keep their enclosure properly cleaned, take care of their teeth, and provide them with the correct food. Health problems often occur when these basics aren’t met.
Male vs. Female
Female rabbits are usually heavier than males, with a body weight ranging from 8.5 to 11 pounds, whereas males have a body weight between 8 and 10.5 pounds. Beyond the difference in size, there is no other difference between males and females. These rabbits have the same temperament and care needs.
3 Little-Known Facts About Crème d’Argent Rabbits
1. They’re extremely rare
Crème d’Argent rabbits are some of the rarest in the world. There are only around 1,000 left globally, making them incredibly difficult to find.
2. They carry a silver gene
Their unique coloration is caused by the silver gene, which causes their coat to develop a silvery luster. This coloration often increases as they age.
3. They’re one of the oldest breeds
Their history is unknown, as they are extremely old. However, they are descended from one of the oldest breeds of d’Argent rabbits.
Final Thoughts
The Crème d’Argent breed is a calm, gentle rabbit, which is one reason why they are such popular pets. They’re easy to handle and quite sociable, making them a suitable option for new rabbit owners. They live a long time and aren’t prone to many health problems, either.
Sadly, they are extremely rare, though. There are only about 1,000 rabbits left, and most of them are in France. Therefore, they are extremely hard to find and may be more expensive than other breeds. Many breeders will not sell rabbits to those who aren’t planning on breeding them.
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Featured Image Credit By: Shane Fernando, Shutterstock
