The Creme d’Argent is a rabbit known for their coat color — an orangey silver color that makes them stand out from the crowd. The Creme d’Argent is not as well known as it’s cousin, the Champagne d’Argent, but is a popular show rabbit and can make a wonderful pet.
These rabbits are a large breed yet do not have very high care needs and are relatively easy to look after. If you’re interested in learning more about the Creme d’Argent and seeing whether they might be the right bunny for you, keep reading below.
History Of The Creme dArgent Rabbit
Today there are at least seven breeds of “Argente” rabbits worldwide. The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) recognizes two of these seven breeds: the Champagne d’Argent rabbit and the Creme d’Argent rabbit.
Although still considered a rare breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, the Creme d’Argent was moved from the “watch” category to “recovering,” due to its stable and increasing population.
The “Americanized” Creme d’Argent that is known across the United States is slightly different to a variation of the Creme bred in Europe. This is down to some breeding that happened in New York in the 1920s. Take a look at the breed’s origin below to find out more.
Breed Origin
The exact origins of the Creme d’Argent are unknown, but they are thought to have been around in the late 1800s in France. They were first imported into the United States in 1920s to the New York area by a few different breeders. At the time, the Creme d’Argent was much smaller and longer than the Creme d’Argent rabbit we know today.
Breeder Mr. Harry Clauss of Canadiagua, New York wanted to develop the Creme d’Argent for meat and for show, and felt the breed needed some adjustments. He developed the breed to have a commercial body type and tried to eliminate common faults such as dark ear lacing.
This is the version of breed that became “Americanized” and was recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) in 1940. The original Creme can still be found in Europe.
Characteristics Of The Creme d’Argent Rabbit
The Creme d’Argent rabbit was originally bred for show and meat purposes. While they are on the smaller side for a commercial breed, they are still considered a large rabbit. These bunnies are most known for their coat and, while they are not as popular as the Champagne d’Argent, many owners argue that the Creme’s coat is more desirable.
Appearance
These rabbits weigh between 8.5 and 11 lbs and so are considered are a large breed. Does usually weigh more than bucks.
They have a commercial sized body with full shoulders and deep hindquarters. Their ears are of medium size and are erect on top of their head.
Coat
Like most Argente rabbits, the Creme d’Argent Rabbit has short, rollback fur. This means that when the fur is stroked from the opposite direction, it returns to its original position.
They do not shed very much and therefore do not require much grooming, unless it is shedding season. We will go into more detail about grooming your Creme d’Argent later on.
Color
The Creme d’Argent is known for the color of their coat. This color is a orange-silver or orange-fawn color. These rabbits have a silver gene that gives it a beautiful shade, and causes the coat to grow white guard furs that increase with age. This is the only color that is currently accepted by the ARBA.
Temperament
These rabbits were developed for meat and show purposes and are therefore easy to handle. They are laid-back and docile and won’t mind being picked up, held or petted by their family members.
Try to keep your Creme d’Argent entertained with rabbit toys and affection from their owners so they do not become bored. When a rabbit is bored, they can become mischievous and begin to show signs of destructive behaviors.
Like any with rabbit, you should always respect your Creme’s personal space, especially when they are new to your home. If they are afraid or frightened, then they might try to bite.
Lifespan
The Creme d’Argent rabbit breed has an average lifespan of between 7 to 9 years, although this can be more when they are cared for properly.
Known Health Issues
Fortunately, the Creme d’Argent doesn’t have any breed-specific health problems, but they can be prone to many of the same issues that all rabbits are prone to. We have laid out these main concerns below:
– Ear Mites — this is a common parasite of pet rabbits. You may see your rabbit shaking their head a lot if they are affected. Your vet will be able to treat them.
– GI Stasis — this is a potentially deadly condition in which the digestive system slows down or stops completely. Symptoms include loss of appetite, small or no fecal pellets and lethargy. It can be treated if caught quickly.
– Malocclusion — this is when the upper and lower teeth are misaligned so that the normal process of chewing doesn’t wear down your rabbit’s teeth. Regular dental checkups are very important. You should also make sure your rabbit eats plenty of hay.
– Flystrike — this is when flies lay their eggs on soiled patches of fur and, when their eggs hatch, they begin to eat the rabbit from the inside out. Symptoms include seizures, loss of motion (listlessness) and skin irritations. Always ensure your rabbit’s rear end is clean, especially as they get older.
Like all rabbits, they can also suffer from back issues if they are mishandled or accidentally dropped, particularly because of their large size.
Regular vet checkups will ensure that you catch any health problems before they become too serious. You should also make sure that you are buying from a reputable breeder.
Daily Life
Now we know all about the traits and characteristics of the Creme d’Argent, it is time to take a look at what living with one of these rabbits on a day to day basis is really like. Despite the fact they are a large rabbit, they are easy to take of and do not have very high needs. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise needs, their grooming requirements and their living space requirements.
Food And Diet
The exact amount you feed your Creme d’Argent rabbit should be based on their size, age and activity level. Of course, you are going to be feeding them more than you would a smaller rabbit, purely because they are a large breed! However, you should be careful not to overfeed them as weight gain can be detrimental to their health.
They should be eating a portion of hay that is at least as big as their body size every day, alongside pellets and fresh vegetables. Fresh water should also always be available to them.
Hay is very important as it helps to keep your Creme’s digestive system moving, as well as helping to wear down their teeth so they are less prone to dental issues. At least 70% of your rabbit’s diet should be hay.
High-quality supplementary pellets help to provide extra vitamins and minerals that keep your rabbit healthy and to give them a balanced diet. Take a look at a supplementary pellet food we recommend below.
Best Food For The Creme d’Argent
Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Rabbit Food
We recommend the Kaytee Forti-Diet rabbit food for your Creme d’Argent. It is designed for adult rabbits and is a great addition to a largely hay and vegetable diet. This food contains prebiotics and probiotics to support digestive health as well as being rich in natural antioxidants for general health and immune system support.
These pellets are also larger in size to support dental health through natural chewing activity. Made in the USA, this food is 100% safe for your rabbit and is naturally preserved for ideal freshness.
Exercise
In the wild, rabbits run around three miles a day. Therefore, it is very important that you give your pet rabbit enough exercise every day to keep them active and entertained. They should have at least three hours of free-range time, whether this is out of their hutch in the garden or just around the house.
The Creme d’Argent isn’t overly active, but they still need adequate time to exercise. You may want to purchase some toys for your Creme to play with. This will not only keep them moving, but it was also help to keep them mentally stimulated. This can reduce chances of destructive behaviors due to boredom.
If you want to leave them alone outside unsupervised, they will need a large secure enclosure. This can be stand-alone or attached their hutch. This will keep them safe from predators and means you won’t need to be on the lookout all the time.
Family Compatibility and Trainability
Gentle and laid-back, these rabbits make a great pet to many people, including individuals, couples, the elderly and families with children. They are better suited to homes with older children due to their large size and the risk that younger children may not be able to handle a big rabbit and may end up dropping them. That being said, they can live in homes with younger children when they are taught how to properly handle rabbits.
While training a rabbit isn’t as easy as training a cat or a dog, it can be done! You can teach your Creme to use a litter box. You can also try teaching them to come when their name is called!
The Creme dArgent rabbit can live happily inside or outside — it depends on your personal preference. Some rabbit owners prefer to keep their Creme outside because it allows for a larger hutch and, as a large rabbit, your Creme d’Argent will benefit from more space. However, these rabbits can also live inside, as long as they have enough time and room for exercise. If you do decide to keep your Creme d’Argent outside, make sure their hutch protects them from the elements.
Whether they are inside or outside, their hutch should be large enough that they can easily move around inside. Try to stay away from hutches with wire floors as these can cause sore hocks within rabbits. Take a look at the hutch we recommend below.
Best Hutch For The Creme d’Argent
Petsfit Outdoor Rabbit Hutch
We recommend the Petsfit outdoor rabbit hutch for the Creme d’Argent rabbit. Made from sturdy wood and wire, this hutch is durable and will last outside for many years. There are two levels to this hutch which can be accessed through a ramp. The upper, enclosed level will keep your rabbit dry if it rains while also giving them somewhere to sleep. The downstairs area gives them a good amount of space to move and there is a door so they can also have access to the garden.
Both the upper and lower areas have a pull out tray for easy cleaning. The three doors on this hutch are lockable to keep your Creme safe from predators, too. This hutch is easy to assemble with pre-drilled holes and, although it is designed to be used outside, it can also be used inside.
Grooming
The Creme d’Argent does not require a lot of grooming and will only need to be brushed once a week or once every two weeks. During shedding season, however, they will need to be brushed more often — two to three times a week. This will help to keep your house and your clothes fur-free!
You should very rarely bathe your rabbit. It is not really necessary, unless they are really dirty. Bathing can also be a traumatic experience for them. You should also trim their nails as and when is needed.
Creme d’Argent Rabbit FAQ’s
How big should my rabbit’s cage be?
The rule with rabbits is: the bigger the better! If you have the space for a big hutch then your rabbit will always appreciate the extra room to roam and exercise. No one wants to be stuck in a cramped space!
If you do not have a lot of space, then the cage should be at least 4 times the size of the rabbit. A guide is 24″ by 36″ for smaller rabbits (less than 8 lbs) or 30″ by 36″ for larger rabbits. Hutches with multiple stories are also popular as they give your bun more space.
What vegetables can I feed my Creme dArgent Rabbit?
There are many vegetables that your Creme dArgent rabbit will love! They are an important part of their diet, however you shouldn’t overfeed them. Some rabbit favorites are cabbage, cauliflower leaves, radish, rocket, kale, lettuce, spinach, broccoli and Brussel sprouts.
Summary
The Creme dArgent rabbit is a large breed that, although not very well known, is a successful show-breed thanks to their wonderful coat that certainly makes them stand out from the crowd. These rabbits are laid-back and friendly and therefore also make great family pets for many different homes. They don’t have very high care needs and, although large, can be housed either indoors or outdoors. Do you think a Creme d’Argent could be the breed for you?