Californian rabbits: recognising the breed and caring for a pet

What is a Californian rabbit?

A Californian is a medium-large commercial rabbit breed with a white coat and dark "points". The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) credits George West of southern California with developing it in the 1920s, and the National Californian Rabbit Specialty Club records the first one shown at South Gate, California, in 1928. The breed gained a working show standard in 1939.

West wanted a rabbit with good meat and a good pelt. Breeders describe him crossing Himalayan and Chinchilla rabbits, then adding New Zealand White for size. ARBA now calls the Californian one of its most popular breeds. It is still farmed, which is why "California meat rabbit" is a common phrase, but a Californian from a rescue or a pet breeder makes a lovely companion. Our rabbit breeds guide shows where it sits among the other breeds.

How to recognise a Californian rabbit

Look for a pure white body with dark ears, nose, feet and tail, and pink or red eyes. WebMD's vet-reviewed profile explains that the eye colour comes from the same gene that takes the colour out of the body fur. The dark colour only shows on the cooler parts of the body.

• Body pure white, with no coloured patches or brownish shading
• Ears, nose, feet and tail as dark as possible
• Pink or red eyes
• Short, dense coat that springs back into place when you stroke it the wrong way
• A deep, solid body: New Zealand breed keepers call it "a brick with a head"
• Upright ears and a short neck

Plenty of pet-shop and farm rabbits have Californian markings without being purebred. That makes no difference to a pet. If you want a show rabbit, ask the breeder for a pedigree and check it against the standard.

Black, blue and chocolate Californian rabbits

A "black Californian" is the classic: black or very dark points on a white body. The Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand lists three accepted point colours there: black, chocolate and blue. Blue points look slate grey, and chocolate points are a warm brown. The body stays white and the eyes stay pink in every colour.

Californian rabbit size

Most adult Californians weigh about 3.6 to 4.5 kg (8 to 10 lb), according to WebMD, and ARBA sets a show maximum of 4.8 kg (10.5 lb). In New Zealand the breed society gives adult bucks 3.5 to 4.5 kg (7.7 to 9.9 lb) and does 3.8 to 4.7 kg (8.4 to 10.4 lb), so does are often a little bigger. WebMD notes that well-fed youngsters reach about half their adult weight by 10 weeks.

There is no "Californian giant" breed. A very large rabbit with these markings is likely to be a cross with a bigger breed. If you want a truly large rabbit, read our guides to the Flemish giant first, because giants need even more room.

Californian, New Zealand White or Himalayan?

These three are easily mixed up because they share the white coat and pink eyes.

Our New Zealand rabbit profile covers the all-white cousin in more detail. A rabbit with a velvety Rex coat and these markings is a Rex in the Californian pattern, not a Californian, which is why people search for a "California rex".

Californian rabbit behaviour and temperament

Californians are usually calm and gentle. WebMD's profile says they are easier to lift and carry than most breeds when handled properly, and that like all rabbits they are active and social. A calm breed is still a prey animal, so a new rabbit may be shy for the first few weeks.

Rabbits need rabbit company. The RSPCA says pet rabbits should live with at least one other rabbit, and that the best pair is a neutered male and a neutered female. Guinea pigs are not a substitute. Our guides to bonding two rabbits and neutering walk you through it.

What do Californian rabbits eat?

Exactly what every pet rabbit eats: mostly hay. The RSPCA says hay or grass should make up about 85% of the diet, with a bundle at least as big as the rabbit every day.

For a 4 kg (8.8 lb) Californian, the RSPCA's rule works out at about 100 g (3.5 oz) of pellets a day, roughly four egg cups. Feeding more pellets than that leaves less room for hay, which wears the teeth and keeps the gut moving. See our rabbit diet guide and the safe food list.

Housing a Californian rabbit

A pair of Californians needs at least 3 m × 2 m × 1 m (10 ft × 6 ft 6 in × 3 ft), the RSPCA minimum for two medium rabbits, including the shelter and exercise area. The RSPCA says a traditional small hutch should never be a rabbit's only home, and that rabbits must be able to stand on their back legs without their ears touching the roof.

1. Choose the main shelter. A large hutch, shed or playhouse joined to a run, or a rabbit-proofed room indoors. Our hutch size guide gives the measurements.
2. Use solid floors. WebMD warns that heavy rabbits sitting on wire hurt their feet, and the RSPCA asks for solid, non-slip floors in the shelter.
3. Keep it dry and shaded. The RSPCA's ideal range is 10 to 20°C (50 to 68°F), with shade once it heads towards 20°C (68°F).
4. Add hiding places. One per rabbit plus one spare, each with two ways out, as the RSPCA suggests.
5. Give daily space to run. Big rabbits need room to hop, stretch out flat and binky, not just a box to sit in.

Grooming and health

The short flyback coat is easy to care for. A brush once a week, and more often when the rabbit is moulting, keeps loose fur from being swallowed. Check nails, teeth and the underside of the back feet every week.

Our rabbit health guide lists the signs to watch for, and the rabbit lifespan guide explains how care changes with age.

Where to get a Californian rabbit

Start with rescues. Large white commercial rabbits are common in rescue centres, and many will already be neutered and vaccinated. If you choose a breeder, ask to see the parents, check the youngster's eyes are bright and clear, and look for clean ears, a clean bottom and an alert, curious rabbit. Our guide to where to get a rabbit lists the questions to ask, and the complete rabbit care guide covers everything else.