Scientific Facts
| Common Name: | Mini Satin |
| Scientific Name: | Oryctolagus cuniculus |
| Life Span: | 5 to 8 years |
| Size (Adult): | Mini |
| Weight (Adult) | 3 to 4.5 pounds |
| Habitat: | Human homes, gardens, yards, and farms |
| Body Shape: | Compact |
| Country of Origin: | USA |
Physical Description
The Mini Satin rabbits are small, compact, and weigh only up to 4.5 pounds. These are classified as mini rabbits because they still resemble their young form even when they are all grown up. It has a short, well-rounded body even when viewed in any direction. It also has a round, full, and very cute head.
The ears of the Mini Satin remains on its sides. It has lovely large eyes while the feet are well furred and large. These rabbits’ coats are similar to the standard Satin rabbit with a shiny fur that looks impressive, especially at rabbit shows.
When it comes to colors recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association or ARBA, only the following colors are accepted: black, blue, broken (this is any color that is mixed with white), chocolate agouti, chocolate, copper, chinchilla, silver marten, silver, Siamese, otter, opal, red and white.
History of the Breed
The standard Satins were popular during the mid-1930s. These flawless rabbits were bred by Mr. Walter Huey, a der from the United States. By the 1970s, Ariel Hayes from Michigan tried to develop the Mini Satin rabbits but to no avail. She gave up her work after more than ten years, but unknown to her, the search for the Mini Satin continued.
From 1980 to 1999, several breeders helped in developing Mini Satin rabbits. It was J Leo Collins who was awarded a Certificate of Development for the small Satin breed and created two varieties of the Mini Satin: the red and the albino. The ARBA accepted the red-eyed Mini Satin in 2006, and after this, many other Mini Satin colors followed.
Fast Facts
The Mini Satin rabbit has a calm and gentle nature, and if you socialize this rabbit from the start, it will make a great companion to just about any kind of owner. It is definitely not just a show rabbit because it can become pets for older children, singles, seniors, and those who live in a small apartment.
Reproduction
Mini Satins reproduce like any other domesticated rabbits. This breed is forced breed to get baby Mini Satins. Rabbits have the unique ability to breed all year round, and most breeds can start as early as 5 to 8 weeks old.
For breeding success, most breeders place the male in an enclosure, and then after a few days, the female is added. The female will initially be unresponsive as she feels nervous being in another cage. The male sniffs her from head to tail, which is a way to introduce himself, but occasionally, she will resist and escape. The two-run inside the cage, the male chasing after the female. The male will try to catch her and then mount her, but if the female still resists, she will be removed from the cage and re-introduced about an hour later.
The female will eventually submit to the male, and she will let him know by lying down on her side and allowing the male to smell and mount her. The mating act happens fast, and soon, the male is not interested in the female. The female is removed after a few hours and then placed in her own cage. The gestation period is usually 38 days long, and by the time she’s ready to deliver her babies, she will be busy looking for a suitable place to build her nest.
You will also notice that the female is restless, will refuse to eat and drink, and these are sure signs that she is ready to give birth. This is the best time to offer a birthing box and fill this box with soft hay. The female may also use other materials to line her nest-like her own fur.
She will soon give birth to three to five babies. Usually, a female rabbit can become pregnant three to four times a year. She will nurse her babies, but she will soon leave her nest. The baby rabbits are born blind, deaf, and naked and thus very vulnerable to predators. The mother will only come back every night to nurse them for only a few minutes. The kittens will open their eyes from 5 to 7 days and then wean from their mother from 10 to 12 days.
Personality and Behavior
The Mini Satin rabbits are generally gentle, calm, and friendly when it’s with people that they trust and also with their cage mates. But when handled by strangers or held by unsteady hands like that of a child, it can become skittish and nippy.
So the most important part of caring for a Mini Satin is to gain its trust. Start by training it to come to you using treats, food, and a lot of pats and cuddles. Repeat training daily, and be sure to reward your pet every time it makes progress.
Another important thing about Mini Satins is to learn how to hold it well. Hold it with steady hands and avoid raising it too high. This will help calm the rabbit as it learns to trust you. You can hold it higher as it learns to trust you and as it learns that you mean him no harm.
Comparable Breeds
The Mini Satin is comparable to two domesticated rabbit breeds the Havana and the Netherland Dwarf. Havana is compared to the Mini Satin because of its rich, luxurious coat. It is a medium-sized rabbit that is calm, sweet, playful, and affectionate. It is ideal for singles, seniors, and families with older children.
Meanwhile, the Netherland Dwarf Rabbit is smaller than the Mini Satin. This dwarf is barely 3 pounds and has a compact body shape. It is ideal for singles, seniors, and people who live in small places like an apartment or condominium unit. The Netherland Dwarf is shy, sweet, quiet, but skittish, which is the opposite of the energetic, friendly, and calm Mini Satins.
Care of Mini Satins
Mini Satins are known to be easier to take care of compared to regular Satin breeds. And despite its size, care is similar to other mini or dwarf rabbit breeds. You must make sure that your pet has the correct diet, housing, proper medical treatment, and has companions to keep it happy.
An important part of any breed’s daily diet is hay. This is the bulk of their diet aside from rabbit pellets, which have vitamins and minerals for good health. Include vegetables and fruits for a healthy rabbit diet. Place unlimited fresh water and hay inside the enclosure. Hay is important because it’s rough and can help keep their digestive tracts regular.
Your pet should be eating correct and safe food. Avoid those that contain pesticides, toxins, and herbicides and feed it organic fruits and vegetables. Consider that younger rabbits may need alfalfa hay because it’s rich in calcium for growing bones.
Mini Satins can be a calm and friendly pet when you invest time and effort to train it well. Interact with your pet rabbit daily by playing, grooming, and feeding it on your hand. Rabbits are social animals and thus will need companions. Rabbits that live with constant companions and regular interactions with their owners are healthier and happier and may even live longer lives.
Mini Satins are just like other rabbits when it comes to their grooming. These rabbits are meticulous groomers and will groom themselves for many hours. Rabbits will groom each other, and experts to say that this one way to bond with other rabbits.
Some pet owners have noticed mother rabbits grooming her kits when she is still in the nest, but this behavior won’t last because she will eventually leave her babies in the nest.
Mini Satins are active in the daytime and will sleep in the evenings. Feeding should be done in the morning when they are very active. Take note that captive or domesticated rabbits can sleep 8 hours a day, and may also sleep together, huddled together, to keep warm.
Supplies and Cages
Mini Satins are energetic breeds of rabbits. They love to run around and have fun with their cage mates. And because of this, the ideal cage should be a larger one where they can play, sleep, interact, etc.. Don’t underestimate the size of this rabbit! Build a cage made of wire with a very strong frame. The bottom should be removable, and this is where the rabbit’s droppings will be collected. This is easy to remove and makes it easier to dispose of the rabbit’s droppings. The floor of the enclosure should have soft bedding and have good quality cage bedding.
Place a rabbit hay feeder on the side of the enclosure. Fill this with hay so your rabbit can eat when it is hungry. For the cage bedding, use hay, wood pellets, or horse bedding. Don’t use newspaper, paper towels or brown paper bags because these are not good cage liners because these may easily rip apart. A newspaper may also contain ink that can affect your rabbit’s health.
To clean the rabbit’s cage, remove your pets and place these in a safe and clean container or cage. Use only a safe cleaner or cleaning product such as white vinegar, baking soda, or lemon juice. Don’t use household cleaners because these may have dangerous ingredients, which can also affect your pet’s health.
Use a separate or extra cage to take care of baby Mini Satins. Baby rabbits need a clean, safe, and warm cage. These are very vulnerable because these are born naked, deaf, and blind. A small cage with a cage lamp or lighting will suffice to keep the babies dry, warm, and safe.
And like other breeds, Mini Satins will chew on anything that’s within reach. Whether the rabbits are indoors or outdoors, these will chew on anything made of wood and other light materials. It can also chew on electrical wiring, and this may lead to electrocution and even death. To prevent accidents, provide hay inside the cage. You may also place chew toys inside the cage. Also, rabbit-proof your home before taking your pet out of its cage.
Health Concerns
A Mini Satin is a healthy breed, and these are not affected by a specific disease. The reason for being generally healthy is extensive breeding to become a show rabbit. The most common condition that this rabbit breed may have is common pests such as mites, ticks, and fleas. These are very common because these are found in the rabbit’s natural environment.
Mini Satins are not immune to common diseases that affect rabbits. This is why you must always monitor your rabbit’s health and temperament. A slight change could be due to an illness. And as soon as a baby Mini Satin opens its eyes, take it to the vet for vaccinations and tests.
The vet will check the overall health and development of your rabbit. The vet will also rule out conditions like enteritis, bloat, and stasis. These conditions are usually in very young rabbits that are less than two months old.
Also, keep close watch of ear or fur parasites. The most common are mites, fleas, and ticks. Rabbits that have these parasites are usually housed in cages with dirty surroundings or enclosures and may have cage mates with parasites as well. A vet can recommend a good treatment to remove common parasites.
Check your rabbit for any signs of illness such as poor appetite, nasal and eye discharges, constipation, loose stools, and vomiting. Monitor for signs of a serious condition like an unsteady gait, restlessness, teeth grating, and more because these could be a serious condition.
Another important part of caring for rabbits and other pets is deworming. Your rabbit must be treated for worms at least twice a year, and this should be given during spring and fall. Deworming is a major concern especially with rabbits that are from the wild parents
All rabbit breeds must be dewormed ASAP. Use a pea-sized deworming paste and just place this in the rabbit’s mouth and this will lick and swallow the paste. Your vet will tell you when is the next dose.
Dental Care
A rabbit’s teeth will grow continuously, and sometimes, their teeth will grow to great lengths that it can pierce their gums, leading to pain and discomfort. A responsible rabbit owner has to make sure that the rabbit’s teeth don’t overgrow to avoid pain and stress. Give your rabbit hay because this can grind the rabbit’s teeth as it chews. Your rabbit may also chew on pieces of wood, baskets, or other accessories to file a rabbit’s teeth. Avoid expensive dental bills by monitoring your rabbit’s teeth and overall dental health.
Spaying or Neutering
Rabbits are promiscuous, and you must control this by spaying or neutering them. Spaying and neutering should be done while the rabbit is still young. However, some vets will wait until the rabbits are six months old. Also, bucks are neutered at a young age because this can reduce aggression. There are some vets neuter bucks at three months, which may be too early. Consult your vet for any questions about spaying and neutering and any advice on post-surgical care.
Grooming
Mini Satins come with short furs depending on the color of the coat. But no matter what, your pet will need regular grooming. You must only use a sturdy brush to keep the coat clean, shiny, and free from pests. Groom this at least once or twice a week.
The molting period is a time when the fur of an animal sheds to make room for new fur. Therefore, you groom this more frequently during their molting period. Grooming will also prevent wool blocks and to keep the rabbit from ingesting their fur and causing impaction.
A dirty rabbit is easy to clean, but don’t bathe it. Bathing can cause stress, so instead of this, use a damp towel to spot clean the dirt. Just wipe the rabbit down with the towel and use a dry one afterward. Trim your rabbit’s nails, inspect its toes and ears and check its mouth for overgrown teeth.
Availability – Where to Get One?
You can buy a Mini Satin from a breeder or a retailer. The price will depend on whether you are getting a rabbit as a pet or as a show rabbit. You can expect the price to vary depending on the rabbit’s sex, size, coat quality, coat color, and overall appearance.
If you are looking for a reliable breeder, find for one that breeds healthy Mini Satins minus any genetic disorder. Buy your Mini Satins only from reliable breeders. Look for this breed in local trade fairs and events as well as in ARBA shows. If you’re interested in caring Mini Satins for the show, ARBA events could be the best way to find breeders and groomers.
How to Care for a Mini Satin
This is a summary of how to care for a Mini Satin rabbit. Caring for a Mini Satin is just like caring for other rabbit breeds. Always remember the four basic components of care which are correct diet, housing, companionship, and vet care.
When it comes to the correct diet, the main food of domesticated rabbits is hay. This is important in their diet to keep their teeth short, keep their digestive system healthy, and maintain regular bowel movements. Consider giving your rabbit some commercially-prepared pellets because this has added nutrients. Offer organic vegetables and fruits for a well-rounded diet.
Always keep water and hay inside the rabbit’s cage. Avoid spilling water and ruining the cage bedding by placing water on a heavy, large dish. Hay can be placed inside a rabbit feeder or just toss the hay inside the enclosure.
Captive-bred rabbits such as the Mini Satin can only become calm and docile when you take time to train it. You must train and play with your pet to gain its trust. Captive rabbits are social animals and will need a companion or companions. Take care of three or more rabbits so these won’t feel lonely and to develop a well-rounded personality.
Take note that your rabbit will only grow healthy and develop a good temperament when it socializes with you and his cage companions.
And don’t forget to take your pet to the vet because it needs vaccinations, tests and must be given a clean bill of health before it is allowed to be with other rabbits, pets, and with other people or members of the family. Quarantine new rabbits in a separate cage to screen for any illness and pests. This will prevent the spread of dangerous rabbit diseases.
FAQs
Are Mini Satin rabbit endangered?
No, Mini Satins are not endangered at all. Mini Satins are domesticated rabbits and are available from breeders located locally and internationally. This may also be in pet shops and in human homes as loving pets.
Can Mini Satins swim?
Mini Satins may swim like other rabbit breeds, but it won’t swim and even take a bath because doing so can be very stressful to them.
How do you start taming a rabbit?
Establishing trust is the first thing in owning a pet, and a wild rabbit cannot be tamed because it has a distrustful nature. You may only get bitten and hurt. You may train a captive-bred rabbit instead because most of these rabbits have a docile behavior and are friendlier compared to wild rabbits.
Will Mini Satins eat fruits and vegetables?
Yes, Mini Satins will eat fruits and vegetables, and aside from these, you may also feed your Mini Satins commercially-prepared pellets or rabbit food, which contain nutrients for your pet’s good health.
Will Mini Satins eat their own droppings?
Yes, the Mini Satin will eat its poop because these still have nutrients in them. But after eating this once, they won’t do it again. Rabbits poop dry and wet poop, and the rabbit will eat the wet poop. No one knows why rabbits do this, and you can prevent this by removing their droppings.
What do Mini Satins consume meat?
Mini Satins are herbivorous, and it will eat only plants. These will eat all parts of the plant, such as roots, bark, seeds, weeds, flowers, and leaves. In captivity, this rabbit can eat commercially-prepared rabbit food, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds.
Should you get a wild rabbit from the forest?
Never pick a wild animal such as a rabbit from the forest because this cannot be tamed and will never lose its wild side. So, if you see an injured rabbit, you may call animal services to help the animal out.
Can you keep a Mini Satin as your pet?
You can keep the Mini Satin as a pet because it is docile and sweet. Because of these characteristics, this is a good pet for families and for families with children, but space is very important since Mini Satins are active.
How do you clean a Mini Satin’s cage?
To start, remove the rabbit inside the cage and place it in a clean cage. Remove the pan under the cage and dispose of the droppings carefully. Hose the cage down and use a brush and cleaning product and clean the cage walls, bottom, accessories, and toys. Change the cage bedding and make sure that everything is dry before putting your pet back inside its cage.
Where do Mini Satins live?
Mini Satins cannot be found in the wild because these are domesticated rabbits. Mini Satins are in human areas and commercial areas like pet stores, breeding areas, and human homes as pets. Mini Satins are small and thus may be housed in large indoor or outdoor cage in groups for companionship.
Are Mini Satins carnivorous?
These rabbits are not carnivorous and are, in fact, herbivores, which means that these won’t eat meat. This will only consume plant parts such as roots, bark, leaves, flowers, seeds, twigs, stems, and so many more.
Can you keep two or more Mini Satins in only one cage?
You can keep two or more rabbits in one cage as long as you have a large enclosure to keep your pets secure and comfortable.
How do you take care of baby Mini Satins?
If you want to take care of baby Mini Satins, place the kits in a comfortable and warm enclosure. Feed baby rabbits soft pureed food, and keep these warm all the time. Protect the babies from predators like your house cat or pet dog. For wild-caught rabbits, never move them or take them home. Just call animal services to have these rescued right away.
Do you need to use a heater for your Mini Satin’s cage?
Instead of a heater, you may use a cage lamp to provide heat inside an enclosure. In cold climates, you must use a small heater and place this near the cage and not inside to create a warm and comfortable place for your pets and also to house incubating baby rabbits.
Will a mother, Mini Satin, eat her young?
Yes, there is a possibility that this can happen. There are rabbit species that can eat their young. And if you spot a female Mini Satin eating her baby, remove it from the litter or nest and never allow this doe to breed in the future.
Does it hurt when a Mini Satin scratches you?
Despite their size and their strength, an angry Mini Satin can hurt you with its sharp claws, especially on its hind feet. But Mini Satins will only do this when it feels threatened or afraid; therefore, if you handle it well, then it won’t hurt you at all.
How large should a Mini Satin’s be?
Despite its size, a Mini Satin must be placed in a large enclosure because it needs space to run, play, and socialize. For two large Satins, double this area. You must never overlook the cage size and make sure that your rabbits have enough space to play, eat, and sleep and consider the number of rabbits to be housed inside the enclosure.
Are Mini Satins bites fatal?
Yes, Mini Satin may be small, but its bite can be very dangerous because the rabbit may have rabies. Also, rabbit teeth could be sharp and long, and this can easily tear off skin and flesh, which can lead to a deep wound.
Can Mini Satins escape their cages?
Although these are small rabbits, Mini Satins can escape their cages by kicking their cages down and may even use force like gnawing their enclosure just to escape.
Can you leave a Mini Satins indoors in your home?
You may let a rabbit stay indoors but only under constant supervision. Use a portable fence to keep the rabbit off from areas that are dangerous for it to go. You must rabbit-proof your home before you let these out of their cage.
Will Mini Satins have a territorial behavior?
Mini Satins may become territorial when these are kept in a small enclosure. Males can have aggressive behavior and may become very dangerous, especially during breeding. The aggressive males may bite and attack each other to fight for hierarchy.
Can you prevent a Mini Satin from eating its droppings?
You can stop a Mini Satin from eating his poop by removing the droppings right after you notice them eating their poop. However, since this is a natural behavior, it may be hard to watch out for this behavior because no matter what, these animals will still eat their dropping. They know that soft poop still has nutrients in them.
Where do you put a Mini Satin’s cage indoors or outdoors?
You can place it indoors or outdoors, depending on your preference. You may place the cage indoors to protect it from the elements, but your pet will have a limited space to play, and this could be too small for an adult Mini Satin. When the cage is outdoors, the rabbits will have a larger area for playing but will have to deal with the sun, rain, and the cold.
What will happen when the teeth of a rabbit grow longer?
When the teeth of the rabbit grow longer, these can pierce the gums, and this can cause pain, which will also affect its appetite. This is why you must feeding it hay since this can grind their teeth short as the animal chews. Take it to the vet or dentist to cut its teeth short if it has grown very long.
How often do visit the vet?
Rabbits should be taken to the vet at least twice a year. Young rabbits must visit the vet to get vaccinated against diseases as early as possible. An initial visit to a vet when they are just a few days or weeks old is another must.
Can Mini Satins stay outdoors?
A pet Mini Satin may be allowed to play outdoors even for a few hours, but you must rabbit-proof your yard or outdoor area first. Portable fencing is a safe way to limit the area where the rabbit can roam free. Bury the fence poles to prevent the rabbit from digging it out and escaping the enclosure.
Where do rabbits sleep in the wild?
Wild rabbits can sleep in holes or burrows. Rabbits dig deep holes as deep as several inches and will also dig channels, tunnels, and lairs. It will remain inside all day to sleep in their dens and nests. In captivity, rabbits live in an enclosure that can accommodate several rabbits. This enclosure is safe and secure from their natural predators.
Can rabbits see well even when in the dark?
Yes, rabbits can see well even in the dark and thus have good vision at night. This is one of the reasons why some rabbit species prefer to forage at night. Rabbits like the Mini Satin also have a good smell and hearing, which allows them to look for predators near their burrows or cages.
Can you train your rabbit to use a collar and leash?
Some pet owners were successful in training their pet rabbits to walk using a collar and a leash. However, some say that this may depend on what breed of rabbit and the training technique of the owner.
Will Mini Satins know who their owners are?
Some rabbit owners say that their pet rabbits can recognize them. They also say that rabbits can tell if they are being handled by their owners or by a stranger and may become skittish and fidget when they are forced to handle.
Can rabbits live in a place with a cold climate?
Yes, rabbits can stay in the cold and survive as they look for food that’s under the snow. Rabbits will use their legs to dig out snow and eat roots, shrubs, berries, and other food.
How many rabbits can you keep as a pet owner?
You can keep three or more rabbits as a pet but make sure that you have a large cage to keep your pets comfortable and happy. Keeping only one rabbit will make it lonely, and this can drastically affect its health.
Will rabbits eat insects and insect eggs?
No, rabbits will never eat bugs, and this will eat only plant and plant parts, rabbit pellets, fruits, and vegetables, especially when in captivity. And when you feed your rabbit fruits and vegetables, make sure that these are organic to avoid chemicals and toxins which can harm your pet.
Can pet rabbits be given to young children?
Some rabbits are not happy about being held by young children while some are calm, docile, and friendly and will be calm when held and petted by children. If you’re getting a child a pet rabbit, understand a rabbit’s behavior and temperament before you buy.
Can rabbit diseases affect humans?
Some rabbit diseases will only affect rabbits, while some may be transmitted to humans. So if your rabbit is sick, take it to the vet soon. You should also learn the different signs of illnesses such as poor appetite, loose stools, constipation, problems with breathing, and any changes in behavior. Consult your vet as soon as you notice any of these.
Do Mini Satins have good hearing?
Despite their small ears and size, the Mini Satin has good hearing. It can hear its predators even when these are still far away, and this gives it the time to jump and escape the threat.
Will your pet rabbit tolerate the cold?
Some pet rabbits can tolerate the cold and will find it fun to experience snow. Meanwhile, some rabbits can change their coat color to adapt to the winter climate. Finally, some will never survive the cold like desert rabbits breeds.
Can you place the cage of Mini Satins near other breeds?
Yes, this is the setup in most pet shops, and there’s nothing to worry about if because a Mini Satin is very friendly, docile, and calm.
How do you deal with abandoned baby rabbits?
If wild kits are abandoned, call animal service as soon as possible to rescue them. You should never get baby rabbits from the wild to take care of as pets.
Are female rabbits cannibals?
Eating their young is seen in some female rabbits, and experts say that this happens after the female delivers, and she is hungry or thirsty, and there is no food or fluids inside the cage. Meanwhile that rabbits do this to remove any tissue, blood, and smell in the nest to protect her kittens from predators.
How young do you spay or neuter a rabbit?
The age of spaying and neutering depends on the vet. Some bucks are neutered at 3 months, while some vets will wait when the rabbits are 5 to 6 months before spaying and neutering.
