The Mini Rex is defined by that dense, plush coat that springs back when stroked, and by feet that carry less protective fur than most rabbits. In youth she may barely notice hard floors, but an older Mini Rex who sits longer, hops less, and grooms less precisely can develop sore hocks and matted patches surprisingly fast. Senior care therefore centers on surfaces, feet, and steady observation: everything she stands on gets softer, every check happens on a schedule, and small changes in how she moves or eats get noticed early rather than at the next big clean-out.
Soft ground under thinly padded feet
Sore hocks are the signature risk for an ageing Rex-coated rabbit. The fur on her soles is naturally shorter and less springy, so pressure on wire, bare plastic, or rough flooring can leave pink, hairless, or broken skin. Cover her whole living area with washable fleece, low-pile mats, or deep bedding, and check resting spots where she sits for hours. Look at both hocks weekly, parting the fur gently, and treat any open sore, swelling, or limping as a reason for a prompt veterinary visit. Padding her favorite sleeping corner extra deeply is a small change that pays off daily.
Nails, weight, and the way she carries herself
Long nails change how a rabbit's foot meets the ground, tipping weight backward onto those vulnerable hocks. An older Mini Rex also tolerates less handling fuss, so trim little and often, in a calm spot, rather than wrestling through a long session. Weigh her on the same schedule and feel along her ribs and hips: Rex rabbits can gain quietly under that thick coat, and extra pounds press harder on feet and joints. If she starts moving stiffly after rest, avoids a previously easy hop onto a platform, or leaves food she used to finish, write it down with the date and discuss the pattern with your veterinarian.
Eating, chewing, and keeping hay effortless
Senior Mini Rex rabbits still depend on constant hay chewing to wear their teeth, but sore feet or stiff joints can make long trips to a rack at the far end of the pen less appealing. Put hay in low piles near where she rests, offer water in a heavy bowl she does not have to stretch for as well as any bottle she is used to, and scatter a few leafy greens to encourage gentle foraging movement. Drooling, chewing on one side, smaller droppings, or a sudden preference for soft food over hay are dental warning signs in this breed just as in any rabbit, and they warrant an examination rather than a diet experiment.
Rest, warmth, and a calmer daily rhythm
Expect an older Mini Rex to nap more, explore in shorter sessions, and appreciate a hide she can enter at ground level without ducking under a low arch. Keep her space away from drafts, brush her lightly during molts because that short coat still sheds and she may not reach her back anymore, and keep handling brief and supported. When several people help, KinsLe's Care Teams keeps her routine from depending on anyone's memory, because the person who did a job logs it and the next person can see it is done.