Velveteen Lop

by Lisa Selvaggio

Published: February 15th, 2017

About Velveteen Lop

Size

Medium

Weight

5-6.5 lb

Lifespan

5-11 years

Body Shape

Mandolin

Best Suited For

First-time and experienced rabbit owners who have the space available to keep their rabbit indoors

Temperament

Spunky, affectionate, playful, calm, docile, social, and friendly

Comparable Breeds

English Lop, Mini Rex Rabbit

Velveteen Lop Breed History/Origin

The Velveteen Lop is a newer rabbit breed that was actually named after the famous rabbit in The Velveteen Rabbit, a children’s story by Margery Williams. According to the Velveteen Lop Rabbit Club of America, Virginia Menden started to develop this unique breed in 1990. Her goal was to mix a mandolin body type with Mini Rex fur. She also wanted the breed to showcase lop ears and weigh around 4.5 pounds, so she bred the Mini Rex with the English Lop. Other breeders followed in Virginia’s footsteps, but the breed is not yet recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA).

One of the standout features of the Velveteen Lop is the ears.

Overall Description

The Velveteen Lop features a mandolin shape, and the top line of the body should also have a definite arch that begins around the back of the rabbit’s shoulders and reaches the highest point over the hips before sweeping in a rounded and full shape to the base of the animal’s tail. When you look at this breed from above, you should also note that its sides will taper a bit from the shoulders to the hindquarters. The shoulders, midsection, and hindquarters should be well-developed, and the chest should be rounded and full. Also, dewlaps are allowed.

The head should be wedge shaped. The cheeks can be anywhere from wide to moderately full, and the muzzle could be tapering to wide. The skull is medium in length and there is a curvature when you view the head from the profile. The neck should be short as well.

One of the standout features of the Velveteen Lop is the ears. These should be carried low on the rabbit’s head, and there should not be a noticeable crown. They should also hang close and loose, and the ear opening should face the front rather than be turned towards the rabbit’s head. Ear length should be at least 15” from one tip to the other. The width should be about a quarter of the length, and the overall length should be in balance with the rest of the body. Also, the ears are pliable, smooth, and soft, and the tips should be rounded and wide.

Finally, the legs should be short to medium in terms of length, and they should also be parallel and straight with the rest of the body. They should also be medium boned, and the toenails could be dark or light.

Coat

The fur of a Velveteen Lop should be upright, short, straight, and dense. The ideal length is 5/8”, and the fur should be the same texture and length all over the body. The rabbit’s guard hairs should not protrude noticeably, and they should be evenly distributed and plentiful. The fur should also appear lustrous and plush, and it should be springy and smooth to the touch.

When it comes to grooming, the goal would be to keep the fur clean, and you can achieve that by brushing your rabbit at least once every day. This will serve to remove dirt and loose fur. Because the ears are long, it is also important to keep them clean.

Colors

The colors of the Velveteen Lop’s fur and eyes should conform to any one of the Lop Color Guide descriptions. You should notice a nose marking, solid colored ears, and a dark circle that surrounds each eye. The color line begins behind the rabbit’s head, specifically on the shoulders, and it should sweep to the lower hips. The legs and feet should be white, though there are exceptions when it comes to elbow spots.

This breed is not yet recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA).

Care Requirements

Your Velveteen Lop should receive a diet that consists of 5% treats, 5% pellets, 10% vegetables, and 80% hay. Always provide fresh, clean water.

In addition to a large cage, you should give your pet the opportunity to exercise and roam freely, particularly in areas where he can access some fresh air and sunshine.

If you are planning on keeping your Velveteen Lop outside, only do so when the weather is warm, and be sure to bring your pet inside for the majority of the time. If your pet’s ears get wet when the weather is cold, they can become frostbitten, and these animals can be susceptible to extreme temperatures too.

To protect your pet from outdoor dangers, you can use exercise pens, lawn enclosures, and extension hutches to create a safe space.

Health

Velveteen Lops could be susceptible to viral infections and colds. You should avoid exposing your pet to drafts or sudden changes in temperatures. You should also check for signs of conjunctivitis, ear mites, and intestinal problems like bloat, coccidiosis, and hairball obstructions. Keep in mind, too, that any type of stress can lower your pet’s ability to resist sickness.

Velveteen Lops can be playful, but they are also docile and calm.

Temperament/Behavior

This rabbit breed is known for being affectionate and having a mild temperament. Velveteen Lops enjoy receiving plenty of attention, so interacting with your pet is important. These rabbits are also social, and they are typically easy to handle. They can be playful, but they are also docile and calm.

Photo credit: FrozenTime/Bigstock; Chelsea188/Flickr; Amy Youngs/Flickr

Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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Chubby kitties might be as cute as it gets, but that doesn’t mean that their extra fluff isn’t leaving a mark on their health. Coincidentally, it seems that the effect obesity has on feline health can be compared to humans dealing with the same condition – a recent scientific study claims that fat cats can help researchers better understand the way gut bacteria influence conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes.The study focused on food-related changes in the gut microbiome of chubby cats. The results showed that there are striking similarities in the way diet affects the gut of humans. The study’s results were published in the journal Scientific Reports, and are revolutionary in many ways. In fact, the researchers say that it is cats that could be the ideal source of information about the human microbiome, and whether changes in gut bacteria can help fight obesity.“Being able to see changes in cats that come up in the context of obesity and type 2 diabetes in people makes them a really good model to start looking at more microbiome-directed therapeutics for obesity in humans if we’re seeing a similar shift,” said lead researcher Dr. Jenessa Weston, an assistant professor of veterinary clinical sciences at Ohio State University.“Animals share our beds. They share our ice cream. There are all these things that people do with their pets that highlight they are a naturally occurring disease model with similar environmental exposures as humans,” she added.During the course of the study, the scientific team fed seven obese cats a specially crafted diet for 16 weeks. Gradually, the diet progressed: from free-feeding of commercial cat food to feeding a special weight-loss diet, and finally to a calorie-restricted feeding on the special weight-loss food. It was subsequently discovered that a short-chain fatty acid, called propionic, increased significantly in fecal samples of cats who were losing weight on the calorie-restricted diet. It was shown that propionic acid can help regulate appetite in other mammals, and reduce fat accumulation, as well as protect against obesity and diabetes. The team concluded that the increase in propionic acid was connected to the increase in the gut bacterium Prevotella Copri. “When the cats are on the special diet formulated for weight loss, propionic acid goes up and stays high, and then goes back down when they’re put back on the maintenance diet. So, it really is a dietary change,” Winston said.“This paper highlights that when we calorie-restrict cats that are obese, we can alter their microbial ecosystem - and those community shifts that we see likely correlate with some metabolic outcomes,” she added.What these results show is that the observed changes in the gut bacteria of fat cats can provide important insights into how diet affects the human gut microbiome. “Microbes we saw in this study also come up again and again in human studies - and clearly, people aren’t eating cat chow, right?” she said.

Does My Dog Need a Stroller?

Is a dog stroller a necessity or an extravagant splurge? While some may raise an eyebrow at the site of a dog riding comfortably in their stroller, these seemingly luxury items offer many benefits for both dogs and their owners. From providing a safe and comfortable way to transport your dog in various settings to accommodating mobility concerns and enhancing their quality of life, let’s explore why a dog stroller may be a great choice for your dog. Plus, I’ll share tips for choosing the best dog stroller for your pup and how to incorporate it effectively into your daily routine. What Are Dog Strollers? Let’s start at the beginning. What exactly are dog strollers? Are they the same as baby strollers? Can the two be used interchangeably? While dog strollers look similar to baby strollers in many ways, they have a few key features that differentiate the two. Most importantly, dog strollers incorporate a way to keep your dog secured and held in place so they can’t hop out and escape, like a zippered mesh cover or a leash attachment that can be hooked to their harness. They are often described as a “fancy dog crate on wheels.” The most basic models are soft-sided dog crates with wheels and a handle. But most offer other features, like adjustable or padded handlebars, cup holders, storage pockets and compartments, sunshades, and ramps for easy access. Is it Okay to Put Your Dog in a Stroller? An important question that every pet parent should ask when being introduced to a new product is whether it’s actually safe and beneficial for your pet. After all, just because it’s being sold and marketed doesn’t mean it’s good for them. When it comes to dog strollers, the answer is “maybe.” If you have a healthy dog, only taking them out in a stroller and not making space for the exercise and physical activity they require can lead to a whole list of health problems. However, there are many situations where a dog stroller can be used to improve your dog’s quality of health. In short, this means that, yes, there are times when it is okay to put your dog in a stroller. It is our responsibility as dog parents to recognize the right time and place for their use. Are Dog Strollers Only for Small Dogs? One of the most common misconceptions about dog strollers is that they are only designed for small dogs or toy breeds. While this is arguably the most common type of dog stroller on the market, it’s not the only option. Recognizing the benefits these products offer, many brands now make dog strollers with larger dogs in mind. This includes creating sturdier frames that can support heavier weights, offering more room for large dogs to sit or lie down comfortably, and even adding features like ramps to help our larger friends get in and out of the stroller when lifting them isn’t an option. A great example is the HPZ Pet Rover Titan-HD, designed for dogs up to 100 LBS. So, while your standard stroller may not be the right solution (not without breaking it), big dog strollers are available!

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