How to Care for Flemish Giants

Flemish giants are one of the largest domestic rabbits in America. Senior bucks weigh over 13 lbs. and senior does weigh over 14 lbs. The giant chinchilla rabbit breed is the only other large breed with bucks weighing 12 to 15 lbs. and does 13 to 16 lbs. Flemish giants, also known as the gentle giants, have a very sweet nature. All rabbits have delicate digestive systems, so the most important aspect of raising any rabbit centers on their diet and exercise.

Things You'll Need

  • Climate-controlled room
  • Rabbit-proof exercise area
  • Hutch (minimum of 48 inches deep, 36 inches wide, 48 inches tall)
  • Plastic interlocking floors
  • Water bowl or bottle
  • Food bowl
  • Litter tray
  • Hay or straw for litter
  • Large boxes or tubes
  • Water
  • Rabbit pellet food
  • Timothy or grass hay
  • Fresh vegetables
  • Pet hairbrush
  • Pet nail clipper
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Instructions

  1. Housing

    • 1

      Place the rabbit hutch in a climate-controlled room away from drafts. A large dog crate found at most pet stores makes an excellent hutch for a Flemish giant. Other pet store rabbit hutches are too small for a rabbit of this size.

    • 2

      Cover the floor of the hutch with plastic interlocking floors. Flemish giants are prone to hock sores because of their weight and size. Plastic flooring helps protect against hock sores.

    • 3

      Secure a food dish, water bowl and litter tray to the inside walls of the hutch. If these items are not secure, the rabbit will constantly flip them over.

    • 4

      Fill the litter box with hay or straw. Most rabbits use a litter box immediately; however, if it chooses a different corner to urinate regularly, simply move the litter box to that corner.

    • 5

      Put boxes or paper tubes in the hutch. Pieces of round cement forms work well. This is to provide the Flemish giant with a place to hide as well as something to play with.

    Feeding and Cleaning

    • 6

      Put 3/4 cup of rabbit pellet food in the food bowl each evening. Wash the food bowl before each feeding.

    • 7

      Feed the Flemish giant 4 cups of chopped vegetables daily. Do this once per day or break it up into several feedings throughout the day.

    • 8

      Put fresh timothy or grass hay in the hutch. Never let the rabbit run out of hay. They need unlimited access to hay for a healthy digestive system.

    • 9

      Keep the water bowl or bottle constantly filled with fresh water. Wash the water bowl or bottle daily. Water and hay are the two most important items in a rabbit's diet.

    • 10

      Empty, clean and refill the litter box one to two times daily. Clean feces and any accidental urine spills from the hutch floor a minimum of twice per day.

    Grooming and Exercise

    • 11

      Let the Flemish giant out of its cage daily for a minimum of three to four hours of exercise each day. Rabbits love to chew, so the exercise area should be free from cords, low hanging drapes, wooden furniture legs and carpet. Always supervise when exercising a rabbit.

    • 12

      Trim nails once per week using a pet nail clipper designed for large dogs.

    • 13

      Inspect the rabbit's ears, teeth, eyes and nose weekly. Look for discoloration inside the ears, teeth that appear uneven or broken, and runny eyes and nose. These are signs of health problems. If any of these conditions exist, consult a veterinarian trained in the care of rabbits.

    • 14

      Brush the rabbit at least once per month. More often is desirable and helps promote bonding with the rabbit. Flemish giants have delicate skin, so make sure the pet hairbrush has plastic bristles or metal bristles with rubber-coated tips.