# Normal Temperature, Heart Rate & Respiratory Rate of Rabbits

> Normal vital signs of rabbits: rectal temperature 38.6–40.1 °C (101.5–104.2 °F) and resting heart rate 180–350 beats/min (MSD), with the UC Davis ranges including respiratory rate.

- Source page: https://wevet.in/normal-values/rabbit/
- Type: Normal values
- Publisher: WeVet
- Updated: 2026-11-01
- Audience: veterinarians and veterinary students

Reference ranges for the vital signs of the rabbit from the MSD Veterinary Manual tables, adapted from *Dukes' Physiology of Domestic Animals* [1][2], compared with the UC Davis California Veterinary Emergency Team chart [3]. The MSD respiratory-rate table does not include the rabbit.

## Reference ranges

| Parameter | Rabbit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rectal temperature | 38.6–40.1 °C (101.5–104.2 °F) | [1] |
| Resting heart rate | 180–350 beats/min | [2] |
| Respiratory rate | 30–60 breaths/min | [3] |

## How the references compare

Published reference ranges differ between sources. Each range below is printed as its source gives it; °C values marked * are converted from the source's °F.

| Parameter | MSD Veterinary Manual [1][2] | UC Davis CVET [3] |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 38.6–40.1 °C (101.5–104.2 °F) | 101.0–103 °F (38.3–39.4 °C*) |
| Heart rate (beats/min) | 180–350 | 120–220 |
| Respiratory rate (breaths/min) | Not listed | 30–60 |

## Other findings in a healthy rabbit

The UC Davis chart lists as normal: pink, moist mucous membranes; a capillary refill time under 2 seconds; soft, non-painful gastrointestinal findings with gastrointestinal sounds present; and a bright, alert, responsive (BAR) demeanour [3].

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the normal temperature of a rabbit?

The MSD Veterinary Manual table gives 38.6–40.1 °C (101.5–104.2 °F) [1]; the UC Davis chart lists 101.0–103 °F [3].

### What is a normal heart rate for a rabbit?

180–350 beats per minute in the MSD table [2]; 120–220 in the UC Davis chart [3].

## References

[1] Normal Rectal Temperature Ranges (table) — MSD Veterinary Manual. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/normal-rectal-temperature-ranges
[2] Resting Heart Rates (table) — MSD Veterinary Manual. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/resting-heart-rates
[3] Normal Vital Signs (vitals chart) — California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET), University of California, Davis (June 2024). https://cvet.sf.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk13661/files/inline-files/CVET%20Vital%20Signs%2006_2024.pdf

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Numbers in [brackets] cite the references above. For veterinary professionals. Information supports — never replaces — clinical judgement; always check the current product label and local regulations.
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