The Thrianta rabbit is a relatively new breed to the United States, and is known for it’s bright orange coat that certainly makes it stand out from the crowd. This breed has an interesting history and was developed originally to show loyalty to the Dutch royal family.
Still relatively rare in America, it can be difficult to find the Thrianta rabbit although their popularity is increasing every day. If you’re a first-time rabbit owner and looking for a sweet, docile and easy to care for bun, then this breed might just be the one for you. Keep reading below to find out more about this bunny and see whether they could be your new best friend.
History Of The Thrianta Rabbit
The Thrianta rabbit wasn’t accepted into the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) until 2005, so they are a new breed to the United States. However, they are increasing in popularity thanks to their simple care needs and wonderful temperament. They are about the same weight and body type as the Standard Chinchilla or the Lilac, which makes them a great pet to have around children, too.
Let’s take a look at their origins below.
Breed Origin
The Thrianta rabbit was first developed in Holland in the 1930s. The Dutch Royal family was known as “The House of Orange” and a schoolteacher in the Netherlands named H. Andreae decided to show his loyalty to the family by producing a very orange rabbit. Andreae lived in a province called Drenthe and so this was the breeds original name, but eventually they became known by an older term for the region, Thrianta. They were accepted into the Dutch standard on May 1, 1940.
Unfortunately, most of the Thriantas were lost in the World War II, but a few survivors of the breed were later bred with a German breed known as the Sachsengold. These bunnies became the Thriantas we know today.
They were first imported into the United Sates by Judith Oldenburg-Graf in 1996, before they were recognized by the ARBA in 2005.
Characteristics Of The Thrianta Rabbit
The Thrianta breed is unique thanks to the color of it’s fur and these rabbits have been nicknamed “The Fire of the Fancy”. However, they are very similar in size to other popular breeds and can make great pets thanks to their personalities.
These bunnies are usually born in litter sizes of between 4 and 6 rabbits and will usually cost between $25 and $35 for a pet. You may end up spending more if you are looking for a show quality rabbit. Always make sure you buy from a reputable breeder.
Appearance
Small to medium in size, the Thrianta rabbit breed normally weighs between 4 to 6 lbs. They have a compact body shape that is very round and smooth, yet also plump. Their head is short and full, set on a short neck, and their ears are erect, stocky and thickly-furred.
Coat
The Thrianta has short, thick, medium-length fur which is soft to the touch. It is rollback fur, which means that when the fur is stroked from the opposite direction, it returns to its original position. Fortunately, they do not require a lot of grooming. We will go into more detail about grooming the Thrianta later on.
Color
These bunnies have a coat that stands out — because of the color! The ARBA only accepts one color of Thrianta rabbit and that is its signature fiery red coat. There should be no markings on it’s body.
Temperament
These red rabbits have a wonderful temperament and that is what makes them such great pets for first-time owners. These bunnies are gentle and sweet and just want to be around you!
Socialization is particularly important for the Thrianta rabbit and should be done when they are new to your home. They don’t like to spend time alone in their hutch and prefer to be introduced to people, but this should always be done in a calm and controlled way.
Like any with rabbit, you should always respect your Thrianta’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 Thrianta rabbit has an average lifespan of between 7 to 10 years, which is relatively long for a rabbit.
Known Health Issues
Thankfully, the Thrianta doesn’t have any breed specific health problems and they are relatively healthy. However, they can be prone to many of the same issues all rabbits are susceptible to. We have laid out these main concerns below.
– 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.
– 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.
– 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.
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 Thrianta, it is time to take a look at what living with one of these rabbits on a day to day basis is really like. Fortunately, they are easy to take care of and make a great first pet. Below we will cover their food and diet, their exercise needs, their grooming needs and their living space requirements.
Food And Diet
The exact amount you feed your Thrianta rabbit should be based on their size, age and activity level. You should be careful not to overfeed them as weight gain can be detrimental to any rabbit’s 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 Thrianta’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.
Find out more about the foods rabbits can and can’t eat.
Best Food For The Thrianta
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01BHVDVPG” locale=”US” tag=”animalcor-20″]Supreme Pet Foods Russel Rabbit Food[/easyazon_link]
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We recommend the Russel Rabbit food from Supreme Pet Foods for the Thrianta rabbit. This is a nutritionally balanced and tasty mix promote natural foraging. This food has a timothy hay base to provide an excellent source of fiber for optimal digestive health and there is no added sugar or unnatural ingredients. Alfafa is also included for fiber and there is calcium for your Thrianta’s bones and teeth. Vegetables included provide the necessary protein, vitamins and minerals your bun needs to stay healthy, too.
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 Thrianta rabbit will really thrive when let out of their hutch to exercise, even though they aren’t particularly active. As a sociable rabbit, they like to spend time with their family members outside of their enclosure. You may want to purchase some toys for your Thrianta to play with. This can be a great way to bond with your bun while also keeping 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
Thriantas can live happily in any home and make a great family pet! They are easy to take care of and are not too big, so are perfect for individuals, couples, the elderly and families with children. These rabbits can also do well with other non-threatening pets, so long as the other animal is also willing to accept the new rabbit into its home. Remember that the Thrianta rabbit needs a lot of time socializing. They won’t like to be cooped up in their hutch for hours on end!
While training a rabbit isn’t as easy as training a cat or a dog, it can be done! You can teach your Thrianta rabbit to use a litter box. You can also try teaching them to come when their name is called!
The Thrianta rabbit can live happily inside or outside — it is up to you. Because they are sociable, they will need a lot of time outside of their hutch to spend with you and so, as long as they get this, they won’t mind where they live! If they are living outside, you should always make sure their hutch is safe from predators, particularly as they are a small animal.
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 Thrianta
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01LKRMTI2″ locale=”US” tag=”animalcor-20″]Petsfit Outdoor Rabbit Hutch[/easyazon_link]
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We recommend the Petsfit outdoor rabbit hutch for the Thrianta 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 Thrianta rabbit 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
Thriantas do not need a lot of grooming. You should brush this rabbit once every two weeks with a slicker brush, although this will need to be increased during shedding season. During this time you should brush them once a week to remove loose hairs and to keep their coat in good condition.
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.
Thrianta 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. You can always check out our guide here if you are looking for a rabbit hutch.
What vegetables can I feed my Thrianta rabbit?
There are many vegetables that your 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 Thrianta rabbit is a fairly new breed to the United States, but thanks to their wonderful temperament and easy care needs, they are becoming more popular by the day. These bunnies are known for their fiery orange coat, but fortunately do not have very high care needs. All the Thrianta rabbit needs is lots of love, attention and time with their family members and they will be happy. Do you think this bunny could be the breed for you?