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what to feed young baby rabbits

by Bette Rath IV Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • Hay. Unlike adult rabbits, who should receive mostly timothy hay, young rabbits should have a supply of alfalfa hay.
  • Pellets. Pellets are very important to a young rabbit’s diet. This rabbit food has higher levels of proteins, nutrients, and calcium than hay, and it’s made to help rabbits put ...
  • Leafy greens. When a rabbit is about 3 months old, you can start to introduce some leafy greens into their diet. ...
  • Treats. It’s best to avoid giving young rabbits any sweet treats for the time being. ...
  • Water. By this time, your young rabbit should be weaned off of their mother’s milk and should be fully independent.

Young rabbits, under approximately 7-8 months old, should be fed alfalfa pellets and alfalfa hay free-choice; they need the extra protein and calcium as they grow. They, too, can have a variety of vegetables.

Full Answer

What and how do you feed wild baby rabbits?

What Do Wild Baby Rabbits Eat?

  • The Wild Rabbits’ Diet. If you are a rabbit owner, you know that domesticated bunnies love to eat hay, pellets, veggies, and fruits.
  • Giving milk to a wild baby rabbit. ...
  • Giving foods to wild baby rabbits. ...
  • Foods you should not give to baby rabbits. ...
  • Ways to feed a wild baby rabbit. ...
  • Frequently Asked Questions. ...
  • Summary. ...

What do you feed rabbits after giving birth?

You need to feed the litter two times a day. Newborn to 1-week rabbits require 2-2.5 cc/ml of milk formula, 1-2 weeks litter require 5-7 cc/ml milk formula, 2-3 weeks old litter require 7-13 cc/ml milk formula and 3-6 weeks old rabbit require 13-15 cc/ml milk twice a day. But try not to overfeed the rabbit.

How often do the baby rabbits need to be feed?

How Often Do Baby Rabbits Eat? FEED TWICE A DAY ONLY for healthy babies, three times if low weight. It may be easiest to start with a 3 cc/ml syringe or an eyedropper. Feed only with the bunny sitting UPRIGHT, and point syringe down towards bottom or side of mouth, so if too much comes out, the baby does not aspirate.

What do baby rabbits eat after being weaned?

What should I feed my baby rabbit during the weaning process?

  • Hay – It is no surprise that hay, would be one of the first solid foods that a baby rabbit may eat. ...
  • Pellets – Some pet owners introduce pellets at this stage. The pellets introduced at this stage should be plain and high in fiber. ...
  • Water – Make sure it’s always fresh. You should wash water bowls and refill them periodically during the day. ...

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What do you feed a 2 week old rabbit?

When the bunnies are 2-3 weeks old, you can start to introduce rolled oats, and at 30 days, you can start them on commercial pellets. It is important to slowly switch rabbits to oats and pellets or you can cause enterotoxemia, a type of intestinal infection with a high mortality rate.

At what age do baby rabbits start eating 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.

Can you feed a baby rabbit baby food?

Wait until the baby's eyes are open. Baby rabbits may begin eating solid foods when their eyes open, at about 10 days after birth. You can slowly add solid foods to their formula diet until they are weaned at about 6 weeks old. Don't feed baby rabbits solid foods before their eyes open.

What do you feed a baby rabbit without a mother?

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. Because rabbit milk is the most caloric of all mammals, we add in one tablespoon of 100% heavy whipping cream (no sugar) to each can of KMR.

At what age do baby bunnies start drinking water?

about 3 to 4 weeksYoung Rabbits (up to 8wks old) drink milk from their mothers. They may also start drinking water from their mom's water bottle or bowl at about 3 to 4 weeks of age.

Can baby bunnies drink water?

Baby bunnies will start to drink water at about 3-4 weeks old, and you can give them a very shallow bowl of water to drink from while they are small.

How do you keep baby rabbits alive?

Keep baby rabbits in a box in a warm, quiet place away from children, household noise, domestic pets and bright lights. If you have a heating pad, turn it on LOW and place it under HALF of the box. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FEED ANY TYPE OF FORMULA TO A BABY RABBIT. You may kill the animal.

What can I feed a 3 week old wild rabbit?

At 2-3 weeks, also start introducing them to 'timothy hay', oat hay, pellets and water (add fresh greens for wild rabbits) 3-6 weeks: 13-15cc/ml each feeding twice per day (less if the rabbit is very small).

What do wild baby rabbits eat and drink?

Any wild rabbit should have constant access to hay, water, and fresh greens of the type it would be able to eat in the wild. Even very young rabbits will nibble on greens and hay.

What age can rabbits eat dandelions?

Vegetables can be introduced bunnies around the 12th week of age; new food should always be given in small quantities and one at a time. Once you've introduced dandelions, watch for diarrhea and if it occurs, discontinue giving as your pet may be sensitive, but this is a rare occurrence.

How do you feed baby rabbits rolled oats?

Oats make a good treat for rabbits. Like everything else, they should be given in moderation. One teaspoon a day is plenty unless you have an underweight rabbit. Oats are low is sugar but higher in fat.

What do wild rabbits eat and drink?

Wild rabbits eat a lot of different things, including wildflowers, grasses, vegetable plants, and weeds. They do not eat eggs, meat, or dairy – or any animal based products. Vegetation that is not toxic and is readily available will often be munched by a wild rabbit.

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.

How to feed a baby bunny?

But don’t forget, start with baby steps. At the beginning, the little bunny will start nibbling on them so feed him just a few straws and pellets.

How long can a baby rabbit have milk?

Until 3 weeks: only milk. Until 3 weeks old, feed your baby rabbit only with his mother’s milk or other replacement milk (the most caloric milk from the pet store). There are more things to consider when you have such a little bunny, therefore, you better contact your vet.

What to do if your rabbit is changing the environment?

If your rabbit is changing the environment, try to feed him the same food as before. Consistency is king. Then you can make some step by step changes to healthier habits.

How long does it take for rabbits to eat vegetables?

After 12 weeks, you can start feeding vegetables. From 12 weeks on you can introduce vegetables, one at a time. Gut bacteria needs time to adapt. Check the rabbit’s droppings and if you find them changing stop feeding him that vegetable.

Do rabbits eat the same food as adults?

Young rabbits eat, you guessed it, almost the same kinds of food as adult rabbits do . However, there are a few dietary needs to consider. Their bodies are growing and their fragile and developing digestive system is a bit sensitive to big changes: environment, food, or even attachment.

Do bunnies like smooth changes?

Bunnies can have quite affectionate personalities. Don’t forget that rabbits prefer smooth changes, therefore, offer him this “luxury”. Dedicate him a lot of time and warmth, particularly during this growing period. Everything will work just fine for your growing buddy. Tags what do baby bunnies eat what do baby rabbits eat what do you feed ...

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.

Why do rabbits go downhill?

One of the key points in feeding any young rabbit is consistency. Baby's digestive systems are much more sensitive to changes in food and they are more susceptible to digestive related problems and can go downhill more quickly if they do get sick. Moving home is already a stressful time for a young rabbit so it is best to avoid changes to food ...

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.

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.

How to feed a baby bunny?

Mix the replacement milk formula. Baby rabbits will nurse from birth until they are about 6 weeks old, and you’ll need to mix enough formula to feed them at different ages. By splitting the formula into two equal feedings a day, you can help ensure your baby rabbit is getting sufficient nutrition.

When can you feed a baby rabbit?

You can slowly add solid foods to their formula diet until they are weaned at about 6 weeks old . Don’t feed baby rabbits solid foods before their eyes open. Their intestinal tracts cannot handle solids before this point.

What do rabbits eat?

However, domestic and wild rabbits feed on different solids, so know what kind of rabbit you have. Both can eat oat and timothy hay and alfalfa hay; domestic can also eat pellets; wild can also eat vegetables.

How old do bunnies have to be to wean?

Depending on what type of rabbit you have, she will wean at anywhere from 3 – 4 weeks of age to 9 weeks of age. Domestic rabbits wean at about 6 weeks.

What to do if a kitten isn't suckling?

If the baby isn’t suckling the syringe willingly, give it time to adjust. You might want to stimulate the kitten with a gentle squirt.

How long should a baby rabbit urinate?

This helps keep their intestinal tract and urinary system healthy and running smoothly. You only need to stimulate defecation and urination for the first 10 days of a baby rabbit’s life, or until their eyes are open.

What is a baby rabbit?

Baby rabbits are small, sweet and furry animals that can require a lot of care. Whether you find a nest of orphaned babies, which are also called kittens, or your pet rabbit has rejected her babies, you may need to feed the rabbits to help them thrive.

What to feed baby rabbits without a mother?

You can feed baby rabbits without a mother with a milk replacer. But since they need more nutrients and fats, this must be mixed with goat milk. As well as heavy cream and colostrum. Then as they grow older, start offering them cecotropes and solid food. Like pellets, alfalfa hay, and leafy greens.

Can a baby rabbit survive without milk?

A baby rabbit won’t survive without milk. At age 0 to 3 weeks old, it’ll be the sole part of their diet. So it’s their only way to get the nutrients and energy they need to live longer. And even though they’re already eating solid food at 6 to 8 weeks old, they still need milk for more nourishment.

People also ask

Baby rabbits can go without nursing for up to 3 to 4 days. But since they don’t get any food, they’ll get weaker as days pass by. And this could lead to a slow death.

What do rabbits need to eat?

You may need to adjust your rabbit’s diet as they get older, but they will still need access to all the basics: hay, leafy greens, water, and some pellets.

How old do baby rabbits have to be to eat?

Baby rabbit diet. Baby bunnies, also called kittens, should not be weaned off of their mother’s milk until they are about 8 weeks, or 2 months, of age. These tiny bunnies need the high concentration of fat and protein that is found in rabbit milk so that they can grow up big and strong.

What does it mean when a rabbit poops?

Rabbits also poop little, soft clusters called cecotropes that rabbits should reingest. If you notice a lot of these around uneaten, it may mean your rabbit is not eating enough hay. Bodyweight. While you are petting your rabbit, check to make sure they have a healthy amount of fat as they grow.

How old are bunnies when they are separated from their mother?

Young rabbits (2-6 months) Once a young rabbit reaches 2 months old, they should be separated from their mother and have a diet of all solid food. However, they will still have a diet that differs from adult rabbits. These bunnies are still growing a lot!

Why do rabbits eat hay?

Hay should be a large portion of your rabbit’s diet because it promotes good digestion and healthy teeth. It’s not going to make up as large a percentage of the diet as it does for adult rabbits, but you still want to make sure your young bunny is munching on hay every day.

How to help a rabbit with digestion?

Take it slow and only introduce one type of leafy green vegetable at a time. This will help to ensure that nothing is causing an imbalance in your rabbit’s digestion.

Why are babies banned from bunnies?

There are many states in the U.S. that even ban the sale of rabbits under 2 months because of the danger it poses to the newborn rabbit.

How to feed a baby bunny?

Add a pinch of acidophilus (aka Probiotic) to the formula to promote healthy gut flora. Formulas vary depending on region. Avoid Esbilac and any puppy formulas! FEED TWICE A DAY ONLY for healthy babies. It may be easiest to start with a 3 cc/ml syringe or an eyedropper. Feed only with the bunny sitting UPRIGHT, and point syringe down towards bottom or side of mouth, so if too much comes out, the baby does not aspirate. At first, they may only take a few drops at one feeding until they are not stressed and used to this.

How much should a baby bunny eat per day?

1-2 weeks : 5-7 cc/ml each feeding (two feedings per day). (depending on bunny..may be much LESS if smaller rabbit!) Newborn babies (if eyes closed) all need to be stimulated to urinate and defecate prior to or following feeding until their eyes open. (Except Jackrabbits do not). *See how to below.

Why do bunnies feed their babies?

A mother’s milk is packed with the necessary nutrients that feeding once is more than enough for the little bun. The feeding normally occurs at night to help protect the babies. The mother rabbit can be seen away from the nest during the day which is why it is important ...

How many ccm/ml for a baby?

It may be easiest to start with a 3 cc/ml syringe or an eyedropper. Feed only with the bunny sitting UPRIGHT, and point syringe down towards bottom or side of mouth, so if too much comes out, the baby does not aspirate. At first, they may only take a few drops at one feeding until they are not stressed and used to this.

How many cc per feeding for a 2 week old?

2-3 weeks : 7-13 cc/ml each feeding (two feedings). Domestic eyes open at about 10 days of age. Start introducing them to timothy and oat hay, pellets and water (always add fresh greens for wild ones).

How long does it take for a jackrabbit to get formula?

6 weeks-9weeks for Jackrabbits only, continue up to 9 weeks with formula, gradually changing to a dish for the warm formula, replacing the formula after 9 weeks slowly with a a dish of cup-up tiny banana or apple pieces. To read more on how to take care of an orphaned rabbit, read the full article from here.

What do wild rabbits eat?

A wild rabbit’s diet varies on the temperature they are living in. When the temperature is warmer, their diet consists of: clover, flowers, grasses and other plants that grow in that temperature. When the temperature is cooler, their diet becomes more sparse including: twigs, bark and remaining greens. Sounds very different from the Timothy Hay and ...

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