French Lop Lifespan?

[PlantLover]

Hi there,

I’m the mom of a wonderful free range french lop named Zucchini. He is a 5.5 year old male, super sweet, loves cuddling with me and spending time laying on the rug taking naps. I am really worried because he has been slowing down a bit lately. He seems content just sleeping most days and sometimes digging in his digging box. The vet just did an ultrasound of his heart as he has had some heart issues in the past and she said he’s fine, just a bit of a slow heart rate. I read recently that french lops usually live to about 5 or 6 and I’m really concerned he’s going to die. I can’t stop obsessing over it. I just rescued him a few months ago so I don’t want to lose him. How long did your french lop(s) live, and how can I stop obsessing over this?

Thank you so much.

Sophia

[ThorBunny]

How large is he? I know that large rabbits (i.e. Flemmies) tend to live a bit shorter than smaller rabbits. However, the age of life expectancy for rabbits has changed a lot in the last few years! People used to say 5-6 (what they said to me when I was a kid and had a french lop), but now it is common for buns to live many years longer. Once they are 6 years old, they are usually considered senior citizens. So it would be normal for him to sleep a bit more and be a bit more laid back. Obviously if there is a large and sudden change in behavior it would be a cause for concern, but if the vet says he is doing well I would worry less!

I’m sorry I can’t help you out on the age of my childhood lop, we had to adopt him to another family because we moved internationally. He was about 5 at the time and still very spritely.

Edit: I looked up more about french lops, and I think I was misinformed as a kid about what kind I had. French lops look like they are 10-13lbs? Mine was about 8lbs. 

Anyone else have experience with these wonderful buns?

[PlantLover]

Thanks for your response ThorBunny! My bunny is only about 4-5lbs. I thought french lops are supposed to be under 10lbs.. I think only the giants are that big? Does this help at all?

[Boston's Mama]

I googled and found posts on differnet rabbit forums of people discussing this exactly for French lops. The average of posts I found of people’s lops living for is 5-6 on those threads but there was the odd 8 or 9 and some that were 7 and still going at the time of the threads

It can be so different than the estimates and other people’s experiences though. No one would think when they get a bunny it could live 17 years – yet that’s the world record so it can happen. I really suggest you don’t spend time thinking about that – it will cause you stress and take away from the fun of bunny ownership and the fun times ahead for you both. He has you now and you have him

[ThorBunny]

4-5 lbs would fit him into the small side of rabbits! My lop bun is also about 4-5lbs, in America I think that is called a “mini lop.” The shelter I got her from said that rabbits of this size can live 8-10yrs. These lop names sure are confusing. But I think size is the best indicator of life expectancy, not so much breed.

Like OBM said, its best not to worry about that and just enjoy having your loving bunny

[jerseygirl]

He’s very handsome. His face does remind me of a French lop but his weight makes me think he is more likely a Mini Lop (known as a Dwarf Lop outside of the US).

I can’t stop obsessing over it. I just rescued him a few months ago so I don’t want to lose him. How long did your french lop(s) live, and how can I stop obsessing over this?

It is hard. My lop is 10.5 and I know he is final months or years of his life. But it doesn’t do me any good to think about that. I just remind myself to “think like a rabbit” (or animal in general) and live in the moment. Just enjoy the right here, right now. Otherwise you rob the quality from whatever time we are granted to share with our furbabies.

Since you have only had him a few months, it is hard for you to know what his long term behaviour has been like. He might have been more active when you brought him home purely because he was curious about his surroundings. And his sleeping more and being less active may just be a sign he now relaxed and content in his new home. Sleeping most the day is certainly the norm for my rabbits!
If there is more to it health wise, try some things like supplements for joints to see if that makes a difference. It certainly won’t hurt. Older animals can always use some immune support also. My rabbits are all older then 5 now so Im starting to give them echinacea now.

[PlantLover]

Thank you, everyone! I think you guys are right, perhaps he is a mini lop! I feel a lot better after reading these responses. I am trying to stay in the moment with him and just enjoy him! Thanks for the point about how estimates can often be wrong and outdated. He is such a SWEETIE and I love to spend time with him and he is a great companion (we are in my office at work together now!). Thanks again.

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