what to feed a 8 week old bunny

• Birth to 4-5 weeks – Mostly in the nest. No rabbit pellets. All mother’s milk.
• 5 weeks to 8 weeks – More and more walk-abouts, exploring. Finding some hay and some (Alfalfa) pellets, but mostly mother’s milk.
• 8 weeks to 6 months – Active bunny. Unlimited hay (your choice of kind) and plenty of Alfalfa pellets.
• 6 months and beyond – More of a mature rabbit. Continue with unlimited quality hay (not Alfalfa). Transition from Alfalfa pellets to a quality timothy or orchard grass pellet.

Full Answer

What do you feed a 4 week old rabbit?

By the time they reach 4 weeks, baby rabbits eat pellets and hay. Feed alfalfa hay to a baby rabbit. The protein and calcium found within will help them grow strong muscles and bones. Also mix in some standard hay, though.

What kind of hay should a baby rabbit eat?

Like adults, hay should play an important role in young rabbit's diet. Grass hay (e.g. meadow or timothy) is the one food you should introduce from the start, even if your rabbit isn't already eating it.

What do baby bunnies need to survive?

To tell you the truth, baby bunnies depend on their mother’s milk for the first few weeks. After three weeks, 1/4 cup of alfalfa hay and pellets can be a good supplement. You should provide them with food depending on their breed. When they reach the age of 7 weeks, they can handle unlimited hay and pellets.

What should I Feed my 7 week old baby chicks?

At the age of 7 to 8 weeks, you will still need to feed them with milk. However, you also need to feed them with alfalfa, which is rich in protein and calcium.

Can I give my 8 week old rabbit lettuce?

NEVER give your rabbit lettuce OR celery or cabbage or other watery items. They are small beings and can die because of diarhea because of too much water. In small small quantities and pay attention to their droppings.

What should I feed my 2 month old rabbit?

Rabbits should have a daily diet of mostly hay, a smaller amount of fresh vegetables, and a limited number of pellets. Hay is the most important part of a rabbit's daily intake. Unlimited, high-quality grass hay, such as Timothy, orchard or brome, should make up the bulk of a rabbit's diet.

Can 8 week old rabbits eat timothy hay?

Like adults, hay should play an important role in young rabbit's diet. Grass hay (e.g. meadow or timothy) is the one food you should introduce from the start, even if your rabbit isn't already eating it.

Can 8 week old bunnies eat spinach?

Yes, rabbits can eat spinach--but only in moderation. "Spinach provides a good amount of minerals, like potassium and iron, and vitamins, especially Vitamin A, necessary for rabbit growth," Dr.

How do you take care of an 8 week old rabbit?

When they are babies, rabbits need to have access to their mother's milk. They should not be fully weaned until they are 8 weeks old....Baby rabbit diet.AgeDiet3-7 WeeksMother's milk and some access to alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets7-8 WeeksMother's milk and constant access to alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets1 more row

Can 8 week old rabbits eat grass?

Rabbits eat grass (or hay)! In fact, rabbits could live on hay and water alone, but we recommend providing some fresh leafy vegetables and a small amount of commercial feed. The long fibre of grass or hay is vital to their digestive, behavioural and dental health.

When can baby rabbits eat vegetables?

about three monthsBy about three months you can begin to introduce a wide range of vegetables. If you introduce them one by one, you'll be able to tell which ones are digested more easily and which ones aren't . You should feed your rabbit three different kinds of fresh vegetables a day.

Can baby bunnies eat lettuce?

Can Rabbits Eat Lettuce? Rabbits can eat lettuce. However, a rabbit's diet should never be primarily based around lettuce. Any lettuce given to your rabbit should be given in moderation as part of their vegetable intake.

Can baby bunnies eat carrots?

After they are six months old, vegetables and fruits can be introduced in small amounts, one at a time. Sudden dietary changes can upset their digestive system, resulting in sickness and diarrhea—pleasant for neither owner nor pet. In small amounts, carrots are good for your bunny, as they contain vitamin A.

What fruit can I feed my bunny?

Fruit: Give to a bunny once or twice per weekApple (no seeds)Banana.Berries: blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries.Cherries (no seeds)Grapes.Melon.Nectarine.Orange.More items...•

Can bunnies eat bananas?

Fresh, raw bananas can be consumed safely, but only in moderation. While bananas are rich in water, potassium, vitamin B6 and antioxidants, they're also packed with starch and sugar. Too much sugar and starch in a rabbit's diet can lead to digestive problems, an upset stomach, gas and diarrhea.

Can bunnies eat apples?

Pet rabbits like to eat fresh fruits as occasional treats. Apple is a safe and harmless fruit choice for rabbits, according to Dana Krempels of the University of Miami Department of Biology. Keep apples and other treats to a minimum, however, as the sugar content is high.

How do you take care of a 2 month old rabbit?

0:432:51How To Look After For A Baby Rabbits - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou'll also need to consider a small dry mix for their food. This should be again a small brownMoreYou'll also need to consider a small dry mix for their food. This should be again a small brown pellet to form a food and just a small one that is made for baby rabbits.

What do you feed a baby rabbit?

The diet of baby rabbits adjusts steadily as they grow. They'll start eating solid hay at around 2 weeks of age. This will be supplemented by milk from their mother, though. By the time they reach 4 weeks, baby rabbits eat pellets and hay.

What do you feed a 15 day old rabbit?

To feed your baby rabbit for the first 6 weeks of its life, buy Kitten Milk Replacer and add 1 tablespoon of heavy whipping cream to each can, since rabbit milk is naturally high in calories. Use a syringe or eye dropper to feed your baby rabbit twice a day.

When can baby rabbits eat food?

two to three weeksYour baby bunnies will start to nibble solid food at about the age of two to three weeks, but this does not mean they are ready to be weaned. If the babies still beg for nursing by the age of six - eight weeks, you can begin to dilute the formula with clean drinking water to help the weaning process.

What to feed a baby bunny?

If it is not possible then feed them goat milk.

How to feed baby rabbits?

If you already have adopted a baby rabbit then the foremost job is to find the ideal food for that kit. So how will you get the ideal food and through which process you will feed them?

What do baby rabbits need?

Baby rabbits require a lot of attention to food. For wild rabbits, people face many difficulties. What to feed them becomes an important question. well, the wild rabbit needs to have constant access to hay, water, and green foods.

How to get milk out of a baby rabbit?

But do not enter the syringe inside the baby rabbits’ mouth. You will need to push the syringe when you need to pull out some milk. But make sure the milk doesn’t squirt out. You need to place it near the litter so that it can sense of smell the milk.

How old should a rabbit be to eat hay?

You should provide the young rabbit fresh hay on a regular basis. When a young rabbit is just 3 weeks old, it can feed on hay. If your rabbit’s age is less than 7 months, you can provide them alfalfa hay. You need to provide hay in order to keep the litter healthy.

Why is my bunny not having a mother?

Well, there may be a lot of reason for the rabbit to not have a mother. The mother rabbit may have died, or have run off in the wild. You are now adopting the baby bunny. At first, you may face confusion in how you should feed the bunny. We have a solution.

Why do rabbits need pellets?

Pellets play a crucial role in providing nutrients to the young rabbit. They ensure proper weight gain. Proper food pellets must be high in fiber, and nutritional balance is also crucial. But overfeeding is not good.

What should baby rabbits be fed?

If feeding duties fall to you, there are basically two options that you can consider, Kitten Milk Replacer or goat milk.

What is the first food a baby rabbit should eat?

Dietary changes are one of the major causes of gastric distress in pet rabbits. Here is an idea of what your baby rabbits’ first foods should be. Hay – It is no surprise that hay, would be one of the first solid foods that a baby rabbit may eat.

How soon can I give my baby rabbit water?

Your baby rabbit may start drinking water in addition to the formula, at about 3 to 4 weeks of age without suffering any ill effects on his digestive system.

Why is your baby rabbits diet important?

When you are substituting mother’s milk, you want to be sure that your baby rabbit is getting the nutrition that she requires. A good diet is important for two main reasons:

What does it mean to feed a baby rabbit?

Feeding baby rabbits is an important job and literally means the difference between life and death. Where rabbit mothers are absent or deceased, you must rise to the occasion and feed kits formula that closely resembles the mother’s milk. By your baby rabbit’s 8th week of life, he will be well on his way to graduating to adult food. This is a sign that you have gotten your baby rabbit through this crucial phase and congratulations are in order.

How to keep a baby rabbit from drowning?

You should put water in a shallow container in the cage or hutch. This is a safety tip to prevent your kits from accidentally drowning. Do not introduce fruits and vegetables at this stage, there will be time for that later on. Your baby rabbits may still beg for formula pass 8 weeks.

How to tell if a baby rabbit is fed?

You can examine the baby rabbits to determine whether they are being fed. If their little bellies appear rounded and full, their skin is pink and not particularly wrinkled, they are being fed by their mothers. Peaceful sleeping patterns are also a sign that they are being fed.

What is the best diet for a young rabbit?

Ideal diet for young rabbits. The diet of young rabbits and adults is very similar. Hay is the most important component and this is supplemented with dry food (pellets) and fresh foods. There are a few extra considerations for young rabbits though.

What to feed a rabbit if you don't know what they ate?

If you don't know what your rabbit was fed prior to you getting it or you can't get hold of a supply then the safest option is to start with just hay and water. You can then introduce the other components to their diet gradually.

How much pellets should I feed my rabbit?

alfalfa) and their activity levels. I also know though, it's difficult to estimate, particularly if you're a first time owner so as a rough guide 25g per 1kg of expected adult weight for high protein pellets and a little more if you are feeding adult pellets. You can split the feed into two so they are spread out over the day/night.

How long do baby rabbits eat?

Baby rabbits' diet. Like all mammals rabbit's initial diet is their mother's milk, which they'll continue to drink until 6-8 weeks old. They first start nibbling on solids (usually hay from around the nest) between 2-3 weeks and by 3-4 they'll be eating the same foods as their mum (plus milk). As rabbits are weaning between 6-8 weeks their ...

What to feed a rabbit to help it digest?

Grass hay (e.g. meadow or timothy) is the one food you should introduce from the start, even if your rabbit isn't already eating it. This is the gentlest food on the gut and will provide the fibre needed for the digestive process to function.

What to do when you get a rabbit?

When you get a rabbit you should ask exactly what food your baby has been eating and make sure you get a supply of the same brand food to start you off. In most cases it will do less harm to continue temporarily with a bad diet e.g. low quality pellets or mix, rather than make a sudden change to a 'good' diet.

How long do bunnies stay with their mother?

As rabbits are weaning between 6-8 weeks their digestive system is adjusting from milk to adult solids, which is a particularly sensitive time and why rabbits should stay with their mother for a minimum of 8 weeks. If your rabbit is younger than 8 weeks: one, never get a rabbit from that source again they shouldn't be selling them, and two, you'll need to be particularly careful about your bunny's diet and try to avoid any changes.

What is the best food for a baby bunny?

Their diet needs to reflect this fact. Ensuring that your baby rabbit is sufficiently nourished will mean healthy bones and muscle mass into adulthood. Hay and water are essential foods.

What do bunnies eat?

Rabbits love sweet tastes, so they enjoy berries, raisins, parsnips, and carrots. Their bodies are not designed to process carbs, though. A rabbit can enjoy a tablespoon of fresh fruit and vegetables for every 2 lbs. of their body weight. Again, an overweight rabbit should not receive any fruit and veg for a while.

How Can I Tell if My Baby Rabbit’s Diet is Healthy?

Young rabbits need to nap regularly, but they’ll be energetic in between. If your young rabbit is lethargic, it may be due to dietary deficiency.

How old do baby rabbits have to be to eat hay?

The diet of baby rabbits adjusts steadily as they grow. They’ll start eating solid hay at around 2 weeks of age. This will be supplemented by milk from their mother, though. By the time they reach 4 weeks, baby rabbits eat pellets and hay. Feed alfalfa hay to a baby rabbit.

What to do before bringing a baby bunny home?

Before you even bring your rabbit home, you should pull together a shopping list. Healthy food for baby rabbits is pivotal, so don’t make any best guesses after their arrival. You’ll need to buy hay in advance. Prioritize alfalfa hay, but get some traditional meadow hay too.

How old do bunnies drink milk?

Baby rabbits drink milk from their mother’s until they’re 8 weeks old. A bunny should never be separated from their mother before this. If you’re offered a rabbit younger than 8 weeks by a breeder, walk away.

What is the best hay for rabbits?

Grass Hay ( aka Meadow Hay or Timothy Hay). This is the most popular hay feed among rabbit owners. This hay is fresh grass that has been cut and dried out. This means that it replicates a wild rabbit’s diet.

What is the best food for a baby bunny?

The best food for baby bunnies is either KMR (kitten milk replacer) or goat milk. You can buy the kitten milk replacer in ordinary pet shops or at veterinarian’s hospitals. However, finding goat’s milk is not easy, and they are not present in local stores.

What is the best way to feed a baby rabbit?

As the baby rabbits are too tiny, it is not easy for you to find the best tool for feeding formula to the baby. Hence, the sterile oral syringe or an eyedropper are the best options for feeding the baby. The oral syringes let you feed the babies slowly, and you can buy them at many places like pet shops, hospitals, drugstores, or online.

What do baby bunnies eat?

When the baby bunnies are a week old, they will open their eyes, and you can feed them different kinds of food such as timothy hay, pellets, and oat hay. It is natural for the baby bunnies to not eat these foods at first, and later on, they will learn to eat them and starts growing. These baby rabbits will slowly eat the hay or pellets but don’t forget to give them milk.

Why do bunnies not drink formula?

When the baby bunnies are ignoring to drink the formula, it means that they feel full. It is not good to force more milk, and if you are feeding newborns, stimulate their back after feeding.

How to help a baby bunny digest milk?

While feeding the milk, give break intervals for the baby. Some people think it is a tiresome or time taking task, but it helps the baby bunny digest the milk.

Can bunnies die from overfeeding?

As you know, that the baby bunnies could die from overfeeding, so you have to feed them only the required food and not more.

Can you put whipping cream in baby bunnies?

If you want, you can mix one tablespoon of sugar-free whipping cream in the milk before feeding babies. The rabbit milk has high calories, so adding some whipping cream into the formula encourages the baby bunnies to grow.

What to feed a 7 week old rabbit?

At the age of 7 to 8 weeks, you will still need to feed them with milk. However, you also need to feed them with alfalfa, which is rich in protein and calcium. Alfalfa is best to give for young rabbits. Pellets are also good for them, which are rich in protein, too.

What to feed baby bunnies?

For newborn bunnies, you may feed them with milk alternatives that are widely available in the nearest veterinary clinic. If not, you may feed them with goat milk instead. In feeding the baby bunnies with milk, you should buy and use syringes.

Why Is Feeding a Baby Rabbit Important?

The mother can manage and give the necessary nutrients for the babies to grow into healthy and active rabbits. Also, the mother socializes the babies.

How to Feed the Baby Rabbits with Milk?

When your little bunnies don’t have a mother, your loving hands should take charge. Feeding them can be challenging at first. Eventually, you will finally learn how to manage and feed them with ease.

What is the best milk for a baby rabbit?

Instead of the cow’s milk, you should settle for goat’s milk. Goat’s milk is healthier and better for your baby rabbits because it contains more nutrients like the real rabbit’s milk. You may buy a rabbit formula from a local pet shop or veterinarian clinic. You can also make one right in the comfort of your home.

How to keep a baby bunny from getting full?

Be sure that you do not squeeze while the tip of the syringe is inside the mouth of the baby bunny. If the belly of the rabbit is already round , it means the rabbit is already full. Keep the milk warm at room temperature. It is extremely important.

How to get milk out of a bunny syringe?

Push the syringe only when you have to pull out the milk. However, be sure the milk does not squirt out of the syringe. What you should do is only putting the syringe’s tip close to the bunny’s mouth to let it find the smell of milk. Continue squeezing while the bunny takes the milk.