At a glance the quick version
US type: ARBA maximum 11 lb (5.0 kg) with ideal weights of 9.5 lb (4.3 kg) for bucks and 10 lb (4.5 kg) for does; PetGuide gives 8.5-11 lb. The UK standard is smaller at about 6-8 lb (2.7-3.6 kg).
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, silky rollback fur with a satin sheen
A well-filled, meaty commercial-type rabbit. What sets it apart is its fur: a recessive satin gene makes each hair shaft finer and see-through, so the hair catches the light, giving the short, silky coat an intense glossy shine and deeper colour.4231
Personality what they are like
A relaxed, gentle and sociable rabbit once it is used to handling. Its easy-going manner makes it a good choice for owners of any experience level, from singles and seniors to families with children.32
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Needs a few hours outside its enclosure every day for exercise and socialising.36
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Easy-care coat: a slicker brush every few weeks is usually enough, with extra brushing (or running damp hands over the coat) during moults. Animal Corner suggests twice-weekly brushing.32
Home where they are happiest
Can live indoors or in a weatherproof, raised outdoor hutch. The RSPCA recommends a total living space of at least 3 m x 2 m x 1 m high so a rabbit can run, stretch up, hide and play; a hutch alone should only be the sleeping base, joined to a large run or daily free-roam time. Indoor pens should have solid flooring; outdoor hutches should be raised and weatherproof.36
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Unlimited good-quality hay or grass should make up the bulk of the diet (around 70 percent or more), with a measured portion of rabbit pellets, a daily handful of fresh leafy greens and vegetables, fruit only as a small treat, and fresh water at all times.326
Company who they like around
Rabbits are sociable animals and the RSPCA advises against keeping one on its own; a neutered, bonded rabbit companion plus calm daily contact with people suits this breed best.6
The story where it all began
In 1934 Walter Huey of Pendleton, Indiana, noticed kits with an unusually shiny coat in a litter of his Havana rabbits, caused by a new recessive gene. Breeders developed the trait into its own breed, the American Satin Rabbit Breeders Association was formed in 1946, and ARBA recognition followed in 1956.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The satin shine comes from a see-through hair shaft that catches and reflects light.3
- 2
The satin gene was first spotted by accident while Walter Huey was working to improve his Havanas.3
- 3
A smaller Mini Satin was later developed by J. Leo Collins and recognised by ARBA in 2006.2
- 4
The British standard allows more than 30 colour and pattern varieties.5
Recognised by the official bits
- ARBA
- Recognised in 11 varieties; maximum 11 lb; commercial body type. PetGuide gives ARBA recognition in 1956. National club: American Satin Rabbit Breeders Association (founded 1946).1
- ARBA
- Recognised by ARBA in 1956.3
- American Satin Rabbit Breeders Association
- National specialty club for Satins and Mini Satins; ideal weights 9.5 lb bucks and 10 lb does; 11 varieties.4
- British Rabbit Council
- Recognised under its own UK standard (about 6-8 lb) with more than 30 colour and pattern varieties.5
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Satin Rabbit. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily while moultingevery week
- Nail trimevery 6 weeks
- Teeth checkTeeth never stop growingevery week
- Fresh hayUnlimited hay every dayevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- Full cleanevery week
- Bottom checkCheck the fur around the tail stays clean, especially in summerevery day
- Free roamAt least 4 hours of running space a dayevery day
- VaccinationsSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upevery year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Recognized Breeds - American Rabbit Breeders Association arba.netused for origin 1934, Walter Huey, maximum weight, varieties
- The Satin Rabbit - Animal Corner animalcorner.orgused for origin, ASRBA 1946, weight, lifespan, satin gene, Mini Satin
- Satin Rabbit - PetGuide petguide.comused for ARBA 1956, weight, lifespan, coat, colours, temperament, care
- American Satin Rabbit Breeders Association asrba.orgused for ideal weights, body type, varieties, coat description
- List of rabbit breeds - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for BRC recognition, UK weight and colour count
- Rabbits - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for space, diet and companionship guidance
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.