Mini Rex
A mini version of the Rex with the same velvety coat. Compact and sweet.
Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA
Mizuu editorial teamupdated on October 14, 2026Not yet reviewed by a vet. Are you a vet? Review itReport an error
Ideal for
- Families with time for daily care
- Homes with space for a free-roaming area
- Anyone looking for a quiet pet
Reconsider if
- ×Homes with hunting dogs off the lead
- ×Small, rough children (rabbits are easily frightened)
- ×Life 100% in a cage (cruel · they need 4 h/day loose)
Notify me when a Mini Rex is up for adoption
We'll only email you when a verified rescue posts one available. No spam, unsubscribe in 1 click.
We'll only use your email for this alert. More info in our privacy policy.
Is the Mini Rex a good match for you?
Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).
Estimated cost of ownership
35-55 €/month
Quality hay ~10-18 €, fibre pellets ~6-10 €, fresh vegetables ~10-15 €, substrate/litter for the corner ~8-14 €. Annual myxo+RHD vaccine and exotics check-up pro-rated ~8-12 €/month. One-off expenses separately: neutering 120-250 €, initial cage/pen 60-150 €, carrier 20-40 €. Unexpected exotics vet costs can be high (a stasis or dental surgery, 150-500 €): an emergency fund or insurance is advisable.
History and origin
Recognised by ARBA. Originating in the United States. A mini version of the Rex with the same velvety coat.
Temperament and character
Shy by nature (a prey animal). Gains confidence with patience. Sociable with other neutered rabbits. NOT a solitary animal — a pair is always better.
Living together
Children: with respectful ones from 8 years of age (no shaking). **Other rabbits:** yes (neutered, gradual introduction). **Dogs:** avoid hunting dogs. **Cats:** possible, supervise.
Life stages of the Mini Rex
Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 7-10 años.
Kit
0-4 months
Mother's milk and a gradual transition to hay and kit pellets; avoid diarrhoea
Junior
4-8 months
Unlimited grass hay, introduce fresh vegetables progressively; monitor dentition
Adult
8 months-5 years
Unlimited hay as the basis, measured portion of pellets and vegetables; dental and weight control
Senior
5-6 years onwards
Adjust the diet if there is dental wear or weight loss; regular veterinary check-ups and comfortable flooring
Care
Space: minimum 4 h/day out of the cage in a safe area. Cage = only for resting/overnight.
Feeding: 80% quality hay (Timothy/Italian Ryegrass), 15% fresh vegetables, 5% quality pellets (limit these).
Brushing: 2-3 times/week (daily during moults + long-haired breeds).
Vet: exotics vet (NOT a regular vet — different anatomy/pharmacology). Myxomatosis + RHD vaccine annually. Neutering at 4-6 months (prevents uterine cancer in 80%+ of unspayed females).
Care in detail
Nutrition
70-80% unlimited grass hay (Timothy, meadow hay, ryegrass) available 24 h: it is the basis of the diet and wears down the teeth. 10-15% varied, safe fresh vegetables (leafy greens: lamb's lettuce, escarole, aromatic herbs, carrot tops). Specific fibre-rich rabbit pellets, limited (about 25 g/kg of body weight per day) to prevent obesity. Always clean water, preferably in a bowl drinker. Prohibited: cereals, bread, nuts, commercial treats and excess fruit (only as an occasional treat).
Grooming
Short, velvety rex coat: do NOT use hard-bristled brushes (they break the hair). Simply run a damp hand or a rubber glove over it once a week. Watch the soles of the feet: rex hair is fine and predisposes to sores (pododermatitis). Trim the nails every 4-6 weeks. Check daily that the rear end is clean.
Training
Handling: the rabbit is a prey animal, so you earn its trust with patience, at its level and without chasing it. It almost never tolerates being picked up in your arms; always support the hindquarters when holding it (a kick into thin air can fracture its spine) and it is best to interact at floor level. It learns to use the litter corner very well if neutered. Being docile in temperament, it usually gets used to routine and to gentle daily handling.
Exercise
A minimum of 3-4 hours daily loose in a safe, rabbit-proofed area (protected cables, no toxic plants). The cage or pen is only for resting: living shut in all day is harmful both physically and mentally. Tunnels, boxes and foraging toys keep its mind active.
Breed-specific health
Common conditions in rabbits: GI stasis (digestive shutdown · EMERGENCY), dental malocclusion (check every 6 months), encephalitozoonosis. Life expectancy 7-10 years with proper care.
Health predispositions for this breed
Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.
Common diseases in rabbits
Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Screening and prevention for the Mini Rex
Recommended tests and screenings
- Complete dental examination (incisors and molars) to detect malocclusion
- Abdominal palpation and monitoring of digestive transit (gastrointestinal stasis)
- Serology or PCR for Encephalitozoon cuniculi
- Faecal analysis (coccidia and parasites)
- Examination of the soles of the feet (pododermatitis)
Prevention
Annual vaccination against myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease (RHDV1 and RHDV2), key in the UK due to mosquitoes and wild rabbits. Neutering at 4-6 months (prevents uterine adenocarcinoma, which affects the majority of unspayed females over 3-4 years of age, and reduces marking and aggression). Deworming as prescribed by the exotics vet. A diet based on unlimited hay to wear down the teeth and keep transit moving; weight control.
Check-up schedule
Annual general veterinary check-up with an exotics vet and a dental check every 6 months. From 5-6 years of age, biannual check-ups.
Warning signs
- !Stopping eating or defecating for more than 12 h (intestinal stasis: veterinary EMERGENCY)
- !Drooling, watery eyes or dropping food (a sign of dental malocclusion)
- !Head tilt, circling or loss of balance (E. cuniculi or otitis)
- !Nasal or ocular discharge and sneezing (pasteurellosis/"snuffles")
- !Very small, absent stools or diarrhoea; apathy and prostration
Frequently asked questions about the Mini Rex
How long does a Mini Rex live?
▾
How much does a Mini Rex weigh?
▾
Where does the Mini Rex breed come from?
▾
How much exercise does a Mini Rex need?
▾
Is the Mini Rex good with children?
▾
Who is the Mini Rex NOT recommended for?
▾
What health problems does the Mini Rex have?
▾
Is the Mini Rex a good pet for beginners?
▾
Can it live alone or does it need company?
▾
Is the Mini Rex's coat a lot of work?
▾
Does it cope well with the summer heat in the UK?
▾
What vaccinations and check-ups does it need?
▾
Learn more about rabbits
Practical veterinary guides to support your Mini Rex.
Sources and references
Content compiled from official breed standards and leading veterinary sources.
- WikipediaMini Rex (Wikipedia ES) ↗
- American Rabbit Breeders AssociationARBA ↗
Do you have a Mini Rex?
Add them to Mizuu and we will remind you what is due for their breed and age: Complete dental examination (incisors and molars) to detect malocclusion, check-ups and vaccines.
Add my Mini RexFree. Create your account in a minute and come back here.
Want to adopt a mini rex?
There are mini rexs in rescue shelters looking for a family. Filter by breed in the catalogue.
