New and distinct breeds have emerged through the crossbreeding of different rabbit species. The Jersey Wooly is one of these new breeds. They are considered a luxury rabbit breed. In shows and as pets, Jersey Wooly rabbits are pretty popular.
Jersey Wooly rabbits are a dwarf breed. Because of its square, prominent head, it’s popularly known as the “mug head.” Despite its thick coat, the Jersey Wooly is a remarkably low-maintenance breed.
This article will go over the nutritional and housing requirements of Jersey Wooly rabbits. We also discuss how low-maintenance they are and provide you with breed-specific tips.
Overall Description
- Size: Dwarf
- Weight: 1-3 pounds
- Lifespan: 7-10 years
A fully mature Jersey Wooly weighs between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds. A mature Jersey Wooly should weigh no more than 3 pounds.
Jersey Wooly rabbits have a compact, semi-arched body structure. Their ears are tiny and upright, measuring around 2.5 to 3 inches long. According to the ARBA’s Standard of Perfection, the maximum length allowed for exhibits is 3 inches. The head and ears get the most points at rabbit events in the United States.
Coat
Unlike other thick-coated rabbit breeds like Angoras, Jersey Wooly rabbits do not require shearing or trimming to keep their wool.
During non-shedding seasons, brush your Jersey Wooly’s coat at least once a week to maintain it tangle and mat-free. When spring approaches, you’ll need to brush adult Jersey Woolys more frequently since they shed more.
Spot clean your rabbit’s coat with a clean, moist towel if it gets filthy. Never give a rabbit a thorough wash since it might cause stress and perhaps fatal heart problems.
Temperament
The loving and happy temperament of Jersey Woolys is well-known. They may be anything from laid-back lap bunnies to curious explorers as pets.
They are known as no-kick rabbits because they are not aggressive and do not bite or kick their handlers. As a result, Jersey Woolys are excellent family companions for people of all ages.
On the other hand, young children should be watched when handling rabbits, particularly tiny types like the Jersey Wooly, which are very delicate and quickly agitated.
They’re also great companions for the elderly or retirees, first-time pet owners, couples, and singles who want a cuddly companion because of their loving temperament.
Jersey Wooly Rabbits are gregarious creatures. As a result, they’re happiest when they’re in groups of two or three. Because they are so intimately connected, some rabbits form inseparable couples.
If your Jersey Wooly isn’t bonded, exercise caution while pairing it with another rabbit. While your Jersey Wooly gets to know its new companion, you may need to separate them.
How to Care for Jersey Wooly Rabbits
A Jersey Wool’s needs are similar to that of any other rabbit breed.
Diet and Nutrition
Jersey Wooly Rabbits should eat hay, vegetables, pellets, and occasional fruit as part of their overall diet. It needs an endless supply of high-quality hay. Pellets, nutritious green vegetables, and fruits should make up the rest of your diet.
As a dwarf breed, mature Jersey woolies should consume one ounce for every pound of body weight.
Housing
A Jersey Wooly should only be kept indoors because of its tiny size. It will keep them safe from predators, high temperatures (both hot and cold), and other dangers in the outdoors.
It will also require outdoor enclosure time and time with its human partners for its curious nature to thrive. In a bunny-safe space, your rabbit should be able to hop around and play.
When rabbit-proofing a room, any electrical wires must be removed or covered. They are voracious chewers, and if they nibble on a wire, they will be electrocuted.
Let them run about outside in a safe, gated yard while you keep an eye on them.
Grooming
Young Woolies who haven’t shed their fuzzy baby coat require more care than adult rabbits with silkier hair, depending on their age. All rabbits, regardless of breed, molt their newborn fur at 3-4 months of age. As an adult, they and molt once or twice a year.
Brush your rabbit every day during molting to remove the loose hair and keep it from eating it during grooming. After the old coat is removed, the Jersey Wooly’s new coat should grow in fast and require no more than a good brushing or combing once or twice a week, if at all. Jersey Woolies, unlike Angora breeds, do not require shearing, trimming, or clipping.
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Jersey Wooly Health Care
If maintained in suitable conditions and fed a good diet, dwarf rabbits can live up to ten years. To avoid common health issues observed in dwarf rabbits, the Jersey Wooly, like other pets, requires routine veterinarian care.
Wool Block
Wool blocks are less common in wooly rabbits than in other thick-coated rabbits, such as English Angoras. They are, nevertheless, vulnerable due to their shaggy coats.
Rabbits are meticulous groomers who keep their fur clean by licking it. Rabbits are incapable of vomiting. Everything a rabbit eats stays in its digestive tract until it’s time to get rid of it.
Bloating and gastrointestinal stasis symptoms can arise from excess wool in the stomach, leading to a lack of appetite, hunger, and death. You may also notice that your rabbit’s cage has fewer droppings. Brush your rabbit once a week to avoid wool block and more frequently during shedding seasons.
Dental Issues
Because their heads are smaller and jaws are longer, Jersey Woolys are more susceptible to dental issues. Misalignment problems, like mandibular prognathism, might result from this combination.
Mandibular prognathism causes strange patterns of dental damage, resulting in elongated teeth and changed tooth placement. Loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, and digestive problems are all symptoms.
Respiratory Issues
Because the roots of their upper teeth are located close below their sinuses, Jersey wooly rabbits are susceptible to respiratory problems. Sinus infections can be caused by an inflammation of the gums or teeth.
Snuffles are another respiratory ailment that causes a runny nose, fast breathing, coughing, and eye discharge. Pasteurella bacterium causes snuffles, which can be passed on to other rabbits. Antibiotic therapy can help clear up the illness if it is started early enough.
Bladder Stones
Bladder stones are a common occurrence in Jersey Woolies. Blood in the pee, urine scald, and screaming or vocalizing when passing urine is all symptoms.
If bladder issues are identified early, they are simple to cure. Bladder sludge and bladder stones can be surgically removed, and bladder sludge can be washed out with fluids. A round of antibiotics can assist with bladder infections.
A hay-rich diet with high-quality pellets with the correct quantity of calcium could assist Jersey Wooly rabbits in preventing bladder problems.
Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer can affect Jersey wooly rabbits, and symptoms include lack of appetite, blood in the urine, stillbirths, and reproductive difficulties. Cancer can spread to the lungs in rare circumstances, causing breathing difficulties.
The removal of the uterus can help your rabbit live a normal and healthy life if discovered early. Spaying your female rabbit is the best way to avoid it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is My Jersey Wooly Rabbit Shedding Around Its Nose?
Jersey Wooly rabbits will go through numerous phases of molting as it grows older, starting around the eyes, nose, and base of the ears. Some rabbits become entirely hairless, resulting in a ‘Michigan hairless.’
Shed coats can be turned into felt or spun into yarn for crafts by combining them with other fibers. You can have your bunny and wear it too with Jersey Woolies. New jackets are generally sent soon.
Do Jersey Wooly Rabbits Carry the Dwarf Gene?
Jersey Woolies do have the dwarf gene. When a rabbit gets one dwarf gene and one normal gene, it produces a tiny rabbit that breeders frequently choose for display. These rabbits are known as “genuine dwarfs,” and their kits can inherit the dwarf gene.
The Perfect Pet Rabbit for Children
Jersey Woolies are lovely pets for families. They do, however, need some attention. You’ll need to brush them regularly and ensure they are kept indoors. They require a special diet, which should be given with care.
They aren’t very susceptible to illness, but you will need to keep them healthy by meeting their fundamental needs. Spaying female Jersey Wool rabbits can help prevent them from getting uterine cancer.
They are good with little children, although they can be easily hurt if handled incorrectly. Always ensure an adult is present to supervise them. Jersey Wooly Rabbits are among the greatest pets for little children and seniors.
