Ruby Eyed White

Ruby eyed white rabbits, often called REWs among breeders and enthusiasts, are one of the most recognizable color varieties in the rabbit world. That pure white coat paired with those distinctive pink or ruby-colored eyes comes from a specific genetic trait called albinism, where the rabbit produces no melanin pigment at all. This is not a single breed but rather a color variety that appears across dozens of recognized rabbit breeds, from tiny Netherland Dwarfs to massive Flemish Giants and everything in between.

The reason REWs hold such an important place in rabbit keeping goes beyond their striking appearance. Because the albino gene completely masks whatever other color genetics a rabbit carries underneath, REWs have played a central role in breeding programs for generations. A ruby eyed white rabbit might carry genes for black, chocolate, blue, or any number of other colors without showing a hint of them in its own coat. This makes them incredibly valuable tools for breeders working to improve or introduce specific color lines.

People come to the REW variety for all sorts of reasons. Some folks simply love the clean, elegant look of a pure white rabbit. Others discover REWs through show competition, where the variety is accepted and often quite competitive in most breed standards. First-time owners sometimes encounter REWs at shelters or rescues without realizing the genetics behind those pink eyes, and they just fall for the personality of the individual rabbit sitting in front of them.

Owning a ruby eyed white rabbit involves the same fundamental commitment as any rabbit - roughly eight to twelve years of daily care, regular veterinary visits, proper housing, and genuine companionship. The REW color variety does come with a few specific considerations around sun sensitivity and eye care that are worth understanding before you bring one home, but nothing that should discourage an otherwise prepared owner.

This article walks through what makes the REW variety distinct, the practical considerations for their care, how to evaluate whether a ruby eyed white fits your situation, and the common misconceptions that sometimes follow these rabbits around. Whether you are considering your first rabbit and have your heart set on that white coat and ruby gaze, or you are a breeder looking to understand how REWs fit into your program, you will find honest guidance here to help you make a good decision.

The most important thing to understand about ruby eyed white rabbits is that their distinctive appearance comes from the cc genotype - a double recessive albino gene that eliminates all pigment production. This means their white coat is not the same as a blue eyed white rabbit, which achieves white fur through a completely different genetic mechanism. The ruby or pink eye color results from blood vessels being visible through the unpigmented iris, not from any special pigment of its own. This distinction matters because it affects how these rabbits experience light and how you should manage their environment.

Because REW rabbits lack melanin in their eyes, they tend to be more sensitive to bright light than pigmented rabbits. You will notice many REWs scanning their heads side to side in bright conditions, which is a natural behavior that helps them manage the extra light entering their unpigmented eyes. This does not mean they are blind or have poor vision - it simply means they are more comfortable in moderate lighting. If you plan to house your rabbit in an area with direct sunlight streaming through windows, you will want to provide shaded retreat areas where they can rest their eyes comfortably.

Skin sensitivity is another consideration that follows from the lack of melanin. Ruby eyed whites have pink skin under that white fur, and they can sunburn more easily than pigmented rabbits if exposed to prolonged direct sunlight. This is primarily a concern for outdoor housing situations. Indoor rabbits rarely encounter enough direct UV exposure to cause problems, but if you provide outdoor exercise time in a pen or run, make sure there is always a covered area available and limit exposure during peak sun hours.

Temperament in REW rabbits has nothing to do with their color genetics. You will sometimes hear people claim that white rabbits are calmer or more docile, but personality depends on the individual rabbit and its breed, not its coat color. A REW Mini Rex will behave like other Mini Rex rabbits. A REW Holland Lop will have the typical Holland Lop personality. Choose based on the breed characteristics that match your lifestyle, and let the color be a secondary consideration after temperament and care requirements.

Grooming a white rabbit does require a bit more attention to keeping that coat looking clean, particularly around the feet and hindquarters where staining can occur from urine or damp bedding. Regular cage cleaning becomes even more important because yellowing shows immediately on white fur. This is purely cosmetic for pet owners, but show exhibitors will need to be especially attentive to coat maintenance. A clean living environment solves most staining problems before they start, which is better for the rabbit regardless of color.

Since ruby eyed white is a color variety rather than a breed, your real decision involves which breed to pursue in the REW color. Small breeds like Netherland Dwarfs, Holland Lops, and Mini Rex are popular choices for REW enthusiasts living in apartments or homes with limited space. These rabbits typically weigh between two and five pounds, require modestly sized enclosures, and tend to have lively personalities packed into compact frames. The trade-off with smaller breeds is that some can be more skittish or nippy, particularly Netherland Dwarfs, which often have strong opinions about handling.

Medium breeds in the REW variety include the Mini Lop, Dutch, and Rex, typically ranging from five to ten pounds. These rabbits often strike the best balance for families - large enough to be sturdy for handling by older children, generally calm in temperament, and not so large that housing becomes a significant space challenge. The Rex breed in particular is popular in REW because that velvety coat in pure white is genuinely stunning, and Rex rabbits tend to have easygoing personalities that work well in most households.

Large and giant breeds also come in ruby eyed white, including the New Zealand White, Californian, and Flemish Giant. The New Zealand White is probably the most well-known large REW rabbit and has been a staple in breeding programs, laboratories, and pet homes for decades. These are substantial animals weighing nine to twelve pounds that require significant enclosure space and produce more waste than smaller breeds. Their temperament is generally docile and friendly, making them good companions for people who enjoy a bigger, more laid-back rabbit.

Comparing these size categories comes down to matching the rabbit to your living situation and handling preferences. Smaller REWs eat less and need less space but may be more fragile and temperamental. Medium REWs offer versatility and often the friendliest dispositions. Large REWs provide that impressive physical presence and tend toward calm temperaments but demand more space, more food, and produce more waste. There is no universally best option - only the option that fits your particular circumstances and expectations.

If you are drawn to the REW color specifically and want to find the right match, consider visiting rabbit shows or rescue organizations where you can interact with multiple breeds in person. Seeing the size differences firsthand and handling rabbits of various breeds gives you practical information that descriptions alone cannot provide. Rescue organizations frequently have REW rabbits available because they are common across many breeds, and adopting gives you the chance to learn about an individual rabbit's established personality before committing.

Start your search for a ruby eyed white rabbit by checking local rabbit rescues and shelters. REWs are among the most commonly available colors in rescue because they appear across so many breeds, and shelter rabbits are typically already spayed or neutered, which saves you a significant veterinary expense and eliminates the health risks associated with intact reproductive organs. Many rescue REWs are adults with known personalities, so you can choose a rabbit whose temperament you have actually observed rather than guessing how a baby might develop.

If you pursue a specific breed through a breeder, look for someone who prioritizes health and temperament alongside show quality. Ask about the health history of the parents, what genetic testing or screening they perform, and how they socialize their kits. A responsible breeder will ask you questions about your setup and experience too - that is a good sign. Be cautious of anyone selling REW rabbits in parking lots, at flea markets, or through casual online listings without health records or breeding knowledge.

When evaluating any REW rabbit, check the eyes carefully for clarity and brightness. Healthy ruby eyes should be clear and free of discharge, cloudiness, or excessive tearing. The coat should be uniformly white without bald patches, mats, or heavy staining. Check the feet for sore hocks, which present as reddened or raw patches on the bottom of the hind feet. Listen to the breathing - it should be quiet and even without wheezing or nasal discharge. These basic health indicators apply to all rabbits but are especially easy to assess on a white rabbit where problems are visually obvious.

Prepare your home before bringing your REW rabbit back. Set up an appropriately sized enclosure in a room with moderate lighting, away from direct sun exposure through windows. Have timothy hay, quality pellets, a water bottle or heavy crock, and a litter box ready to go. Provide hiding spaces like a wooden house or cardboard box where the rabbit can retreat and feel secure during the adjustment period. A calm, prepared environment makes the first few days dramatically less stressful for both you and the rabbit.

Schedule a wellness check with a rabbit-savvy veterinarian within the first week. Not all vets have experience with rabbits, so finding one who regularly treats them is worth the effort even if it means driving a bit further. This initial visit establishes a health baseline and catches any issues the previous environment might have missed. Discuss spay or neuter timing if your rabbit is not already fixed, and ask about the recommended vaccination and wellness schedule for your area.

The biggest misconception about ruby eyed white rabbits is that their pink eyes indicate poor health, poor vision, or genetic weakness. People sometimes assume albino animals are inherently fragile or sickly, but a healthy REW rabbit from sound breeding stock is just as robust as any pigmented rabbit. The albino gene affects pigment production only - it does not compromise the immune system, skeletal structure, or organ function. Passing on an otherwise perfect rabbit because of unfounded fears about albinism means missing out on a potentially wonderful companion.

Another common mistake involves keeping REW rabbits in environments with excessive bright lighting without providing adequate shade or retreat options. While REWs are not disabled by light sensitivity, consistently housing them under harsh fluorescent lights or in rooms flooded with direct sunlight creates chronic discomfort. This is easily avoided with thoughtful placement of the enclosure and providing covered resting areas, yet it gets overlooked by owners who do not understand how unpigmented eyes interact with bright light.

Some new owners become overly focused on keeping the white coat pristine, to the point where they bathe their rabbit frequently or use products not designed for rabbits. Rabbits should rarely if ever be bathed - they are fastidious groomers and water immersion causes extreme stress and can lead to hypothermia. Coat staining on a REW is almost always a husbandry issue solved by cleaner bedding, more frequent litter changes, and proper enclosure maintenance. If persistent staining occurs around the hindquarters, consult your vet because it may indicate a dietary or health problem rather than a grooming issue.

Finally, people sometimes acquire REW rabbits for breeding programs without understanding the genetics involved. The albino gene masks all other color genetics, which means breeding two REWs together produces only more REWs regardless of what hidden color genes they carry. This is useful if you want white rabbits, but it teaches you nothing about what those rabbits carry genetically. Informed breeding with REWs requires understanding pedigrees and test breeding, not just pairing two white rabbits and hoping for interesting results.

Deciding whether a ruby eyed white rabbit is right for you should start with the same honest assessment you would make for any rabbit, because the color variety is ultimately secondary to the fundamental commitment of rabbit ownership. Can you provide daily care including fresh hay, clean water, litter maintenance, and social interaction for the next eight to twelve years? Do you have access to a veterinarian experienced with rabbits? Is your living situation stable enough to accommodate an animal that does not travel easily and needs consistent routine?

If those basics check out, the REW-specific considerations are straightforward. You are a good candidate for a ruby eyed white if you can provide housing with moderate lighting and shaded retreat areas, you are willing to maintain a clean enclosure to prevent coat staining, and you understand that the pink eyes are a normal expression of albino genetics rather than a health concern. Families with gentle, supervised children and homes without aggressive pets make especially good environments for these calm-looking rabbits.

You might want to reconsider or wait if your primary attraction is the novelty of the eye color rather than genuine interest in rabbit companionship, if your housing situation involves unavoidable bright direct sunlight without alternatives, or if you are not prepared for the general commitment that any rabbit requires regardless of color. A rabbit chosen for looks alone often becomes a rabbit surrendered once the reality of daily care sets in.

The ruby eyed white variety offers a beautiful, classic look across dozens of breeds, with care requirements that are only slightly adjusted from any other color. Choose the breed that matches your lifestyle, find a healthy individual through rescue or a responsible breeder, set up a comfortable environment, and you will have a companion that turns heads while being every bit as rewarding as any other rabbit you could bring home.