Angora Rabbits are domestic rabbits bred for their wool coat. It can be gathered via combing, plucking, or shearing. This wool is especially useful as Angora rabbits’ coat will not induce allergies the way wool sourced from other animals will. Thought to have originated in modern-day Turkey (historically known as Angora), this rabbit became a popular pet in Europe, but it was not until WWII that they were domestically bred for their soft, silky, fibrous coat. Wool has a multitude of uses, and Angora wool is particularly popular for luxury uses.
These rabbits produce wool well, and they groom themselves much like cats do. Unfortunately, unlike cats, they cannot hack up fur balls and any fibers ingested can lethally block their digestive system (known as wool block). Regular grooming is necessary to prevent the wool, which can grow nearly 3 centimeters a month, from matting which can lead to infection. Before purchasing an Angora rabbit as a family pet, one should consider that their wool needs clipped or plucked every 90-120 days to help prevent wool block. Some breeds of the rabbit need groomed every two weeks. It is not recommended for children under 12 to be left in charge of Angoras, as incorrect handling can lead to them breaking their back and they need such frequent grooming. With these considerations in mind, these can be good investments for crafty individuals who like to spin their own wool yarn. They are intelligent rabbits and play well with cat toys. As a reminder, these rabbits are best considered to be working animals and not family pets.
Angora rabbits are usually bred for their wool production, which spins to a very plush yarn fiber, and therefore they can be raised as no-kill livestock. Some farmers raise them for their meat as well, but they are in the minority. Wool collection can be done cruelty-free so long as their living area is well kept, and care is taken to be gentle during wool collection. This wool is incredibly valuable and can sell for $10oz, as compared to sheep’s wool which sells for $10-$30/lb. For reference, there are 16 ounces in a pound, which means Angora wool is nearly 16 times more valuable than sheep’s wool.