", knowing that the mother will not be with her babies day and night like a dog, and only feeds them 1 - 2 times a day! Keep reading to learn everything you need to know if your rabbit is expecting. The mother rabbit needs peace of mind. Rabbits are intelligent, affectionate and social animals that need daily interaction with humans or other Rabbits. That is when you put the mother with its babies for up to 5 minutes. Eating hay promotes health and should be available at all times. Should we let mamma rabbit out of the cage for a break away from the babies? My wife and I recently adopted a rabbit last month and have been trying to find a way to clean the dirt off of his fur, but he tends to make loud noises whenever we try picking him up. Feed the mother a quality diet. You know me, I am always hungry so lets start with food: What Should I Feed My Rabbit? [9] :85 The best way to confirm that they are being taken care of is to weigh them on a small postage scale or kitchen scale and track their weight. 7 babies and mom are doing well. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know if your rabbit is expecting. The problem may be as simple as your vet providing a small dose of oxytocin to help with milk production. If you have two baby bunnies of different sexes together watch them carefully as you may end up with a litter of 1-14 baby rabbits! One of the basics of rabbit care is to see that your rabbit can run around comfortably. How to Care for a Pet Rabbit Step 1: Set Up Safe Indoor Housing. The rabbit's eyes are open and it hops around, but it's very small and they can't get it to eat or drink. You should know a few things in order to prepare the doe and her cage for the pregnancy, as well as how to help ensure the health of the newborn baby rabbits (or kits). For more tips, like how to take care of a mother rabbit after its kits are born, keep reading! I don’t have a heating pad to put under it (some sites said to do so) and I also don’t have any type of food/milk for it. ABOUT THE EXPERT FEEDING: Orphans that have been without their mother will be suffering from chill and dehydration. To care for newborn rabbits, make sure they're nursing from their mother for the first 8 weeks after they're born. Luckily, we haven't got any runts, "It helped me. This cute, helpless baby rabbit is spooked, confused, and "homeless". Diet for bunny: They eat very low-cost food, but we will recommend you to provide fresh vegetable, hay, and pure water as much as possible, all day.If your bunny age is below 8 months, can feed alfalfa hay, cause it has a huge amount of protein. Always consult with your veterinarian. Taking care of the baby rabbits is ultimately first and foremost to take care of the mother because she is the one who normally has to do all the work. The mom bit 2 of them. rabbits require a lot of care either you have them from pregnant mothers or from a wild nest. As soon as you see that birth has occurred, you will need to pick up each baby born. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. If you have babies, you must keep them inside for their safety. AGING THE RABBIT/HARE: In order to properly care for the baby you have found, it is important to know its age. Is it possible to feed your rabbit too much? However, it’s important to learn how to take care of baby rabbits. hays. See below for … Until then, keep an eye out for your pet and clean up after him/her as needed. I found a baby Cottontail rabbit in the woods. Baby rabbits require a lot of attention to food. Here are a few pointers to note that will ensure that the babies are properly taken care of. Once your rabbit has made their choice, place the litter box or pan there. We’ll find a grooming service that will know how to handle our pet. "My female rabbit had newborns 3 days ago and this was exciting news to me because I never had this happen before. A rabbit pregnancy goes on for about 33 to 35 days in most cases and throughout this period, you will need to provide complete and proper nutrition to the doe. They can become distressed from excessive handling and die. ", So this was very helpful to me because now I know what to do with them. Now I know she won't lay there all day and night like a dog does. Before making the commitment to a new furry friend, you should consider their lifespan and care requirements. Grooming Your Rabbit. I know what you're thinking. This is their adolescence before becoming adults. While mother rabbits take care of their kits, there are instances when human intervention is required. Rabbits need space to run around and explore. ", "I found four baby bunnies in my barn! Spayed or neutered Rabbits tend to be healthier, live longer, and are better companions. If a … By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Handle the babies as little as possible. my bunny, I was told it was a boy, and out of nowhere today she gave birth to 5 tiny pink bunnies! We didn't even know she was pregnant when we got her 18 days ago! Turns out he's a she, and I had no idea what to do; thanks for the great info! Rabbits commonly lose their first litter, so if you want babies don't give up hope! This informative video is a helpful time-saver that will enable you to get good at pets, rabbits. Hay should always be the primary source of food for rabbits, but the kind of hay will differ according to age. We had a litter of 5. ", "All of it helped, I went through it and found out what I need to know. Rabbits are prolific breeders. I know, I'll raise it myself! It's really really young. Baby rabbits should be fed Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) or goat milk, which you can buy at pet stores, or sometimes even a local veterinarian’s office. This bunny care 101 guide will help you decide if you can take care of a pet bunny properly. Taking care of the baby rabbits is ultimately first and foremost to take care of the mother because she is the one who normally has to do all the work. The 3 most important foods for a rabbit are hay, hay, and HAY! Before deciding to care for wild baby rabbits it is important that you are positive the rabbits are orphaned. Ideally, you should keep the male close enough to make contact with the female through their separate enclosures. Check out our list of The Best Rabbit Hutches. If feeding vegetables to a rabbit, feed the rabbit fresh and pesticide free vegetables. Rabbits, like all animals, have specific needs when it comes to their housing, handling, food, and providing enough interesting and stimulating activities for them to do. Supplement your rabbit’s diet with a small amount of extruded (each kibble looks the same) pellets and fresh fruit and vegetables. I fell in love when I saw her. We have hundreds of rabbits in our care who are all looking for loving new homes. It takes some does (female rabbits) 4-5 litters before they get the hang of it. Be sure to place houseplants out of reach, cover up your baseboards, and proof your wires. Sides should be low enough so the rabbit can get in and out without difficulty. I have found the, "This helped so much! This article is, "My rabbit gave birth to 6 babies 2 weeks ago. It’s 1am and my friend just brought me a baby rabbit out of nowhere because she said that her cats were going to get to it and didn’t want it to be hurt. ", "It became my last-minute briefing and helping guide. Raising a litter of baby rabbits is a unique and rewarding experience. Put a generous handful of grass (make sure no fertilizer or pesticides are present), straw, or hay in the box as well for bedding. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. After 8 weeks, you can handle them as much as you'd like so they get used to you. ", "Professional insight, so helped a lot. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. I'm used to caring. Preventive Care and Vaccinations. ", "This was the best site for learning all the information I needed! Also, start to introduce pellet food 2 weeks after the rabbits are born so they start to wean off of milk. Take your bunny for an initial health checkup to make sure that all is well. Baby bunnies have a diet different than adults. id advise against taking him/her in as a pet unless uve done a lot of research and reading about rabbits. Thanks so much. Taking care of newborn baby rabbits may seem like a daunting task, but it is fairly simple if the mother rabbit is doing her bit. Need help figuring out which hutch is best for your rabbit? They can't afford to take it to the vet, but obviously want to take care of it and make sure it lives. If the mother set up the nesting box—especially if she pulled some of her fur—then she’s paying attention to her mothering instincts. ", "It helps me a lot for how to care for newborn babies. Rabbits can grow up to weigh 20 pounds—that means they need a lot of space! You will find a lot of rabbit nests these days. Avoid the use of alfalfa after a rabbit has reached approximately 7 months of age as it is very high in calcium and protein and more than a rabbit needs. Caring for a rabbit outdoors is tough and... 02 Bunny-Proof the House. Give your rabbit pellets and fruits and vegetables as a supplement to hay. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Typically they'll live for 8 - 12 years, but some may live for longer. Male baby bunnies can be neutered around 4 months old but it’s still advisable to wait till at least 6 months old. For more tips, like how to take care of a mother rabbit after its kits are born, keep reading! ", noticed he had gained quite a bit of weight! Feeding them too much milk, not making them go to the bathroom or having them sleep at the wrong temperature can result in them becoming very sick or not making it. Rabbits are prolific breeders. Though the mother will do most of the work, there are things you need to know. Thank you! By using our site, you agree to our. She should also have constant access to clean water, which you should change two to three times per day. This creates a “miniature yard” for the rabbit, where it can sit, eat and do its business while the hay absorbs the smell. ", "Good information for those of us who are new to caring for bunnies. Lifespan of Pet Rabbits. Take your rabbit to see a veterinarian once yearly for an annual health examination. It’s important to have your house rabbit-proofed before bringing the rabbit home, both for their health and the care of your house. A daily variety of vegetables should be a part of the rabbit’s diet. Not everyone has the ideal conditions at home for a big cage or a space in which a rabbit … This means that she must be separated from any adult male rabbit, including some time before giving birth. Restrict the rabbit to a small area and place a litter box in the corner, preferably where the rabbit has already chosen to go to the bathroom. A young age formula 100 percent adapted to newborn rabbits the 3 most important foods for break! The babies as the mother and her babies helper and expert knowledge come together the of... At the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years still... 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