Finding a tiny, seemingly helpless baby bunny can tug at your heartstrings. Whether you’ve discovered a nest of domestic kits abandoned by their mother or stumbled upon a lone wild cottontail, your first instinct might be to step in and help. While your intentions are noble, it’s crucial to understand the delicate needs of infant bunnies and how to provide the best possible care. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps of caring for orphaned baby rabbits, ensuring their survival and well-being.
It’s vital to first determine if the bunnies are truly orphaned. Mother rabbits, both domestic and wild, are crepuscular feeders, meaning they typically only visit and nurse their young once or twice a day, often in the very early morning or late evening. Don’t assume abandonment if you don’t witness the mother rabbit tending to them. Instead, observe the babies. Well-fed baby bunnies will have plump, rounded bellies and appear warm and content. If the nest is undisturbed and the babies seem healthy, it’s highly likely the mother is still caring for them.
However, if the baby bunnies appear cold, weak, dehydrated, or the nest is clearly disturbed or abandoned, intervention might be necessary. For wild bunnies, the most crucial first step is to contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. These professionals are equipped with the expertise and resources to provide specialized care and increase the bunny’s chances of successful release back into the wild. You can quickly locate a rehabilitator by searching online for “Wildlife rehabilitator near me” or by consulting the directory provided by the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) for the USA and Canada. Your local humane society can also provide guidance and referrals.
When Home Care is Necessary for Domestic Infant Bunnies
In rare instances, you might find yourself needing to care for orphaned domestic bunnies. This could occur if the mother rabbit is ill, has passed away, or is neglecting her litter. In such situations, providing proper nourishment is paramount. Overfeeding is a significant danger for baby bunnies, often leading to fatal intestinal issues.
Feeding Orphaned Baby Bunnies: A Step-by-Step Guide
When it comes to feeding, gentle and careful techniques are essential:
- Feeding Tools: Use a small 3 cc/ml syringe or an eyedropper to administer formula. These tools allow for controlled feeding and minimize the risk of aspiration.
- Bunny Positioning: Always hold the baby bunny in an upright, natural sitting position during feeding. This helps prevent formula from entering their lungs.
- Syringe Placement: Gently direct the syringe tip towards the side or bottom of the bunny’s mouth. This technique ensures that if too much formula is dispensed at once, it will flow out of the mouth rather than being aspirated.
- Patience is Key: Initially, baby bunnies may only take a few drops of formula per feeding as they adjust to this unfamiliar process. Be patient and persistent, allowing them to get accustomed to syringe feeding gradually.
Choosing the Right Formula for Infant Rabbits
For both domestic and wild infant bunnies, Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) is the recommended formula. Avoid puppy formula or Esbilac, especially for wild rabbits, as they are not as easily digestible for bunnies and can cause health problems. Regular goat’s milk, available in cartons at most grocery stores, can be a suitable alternative if KMR is unavailable, but KMR remains the preferred choice.
Feeding Frequency and Amounts: Domestic vs. Wild Bunnies
The feeding schedule and quantity vary slightly between domestic and wild bunnies:
- Domestic Bunnies (Eyes Closed): Feed 2-3 times per day.
- Wild Bunnies (Eyes Closed): Feed only 2 times per day.
As the bunnies grow and start to wean, gradually reduce the number of daily feedings. Domestic bunnies typically wean around 6 weeks old, while wild cottontails wean around 3-4 weeks, and jackrabbits wean later, between 7-9 weeks. Frequent feedings can lead to bloat, so adhering to the recommended schedule is crucial. If you have any concerns or questions about feeding, consult a veterinarian experienced with rabbits or a wildlife rehabilitator.
Stimulating Urination and Defecation: A Mother Rabbit’s Role
For the first 10 days of life, or until their eyes open, baby bunnies require assistance with urination and defecation. Mother rabbits naturally stimulate this process by licking their young’s anal area. You will need to mimic this behavior after each feeding:
- Warm, Moist Cotton Ball: Gently moisten a cotton ball with warm water.
- Gentle Stroking: Gently stroke the bunny’s anal area with the damp cotton ball.
- Continue Stimulation: Continue stroking until the bunny starts to produce urine and stool. Keep stimulating until they stop eliminating.
This stimulation is essential for domestic rabbits and wild cottontails or brush rabbits. Jackrabbits are an exception and typically eliminate on their own without assistance.
Creating a Safe Nest for Domestic Baby Bunnies
Providing a secure and comfortable nest is crucial for the well-being of domestic infant bunnies:
- Box and Soft Bedding: Prepare a box lined with soft, clean towels to serve as their nest.
- Darkness and Security: Cover the box to create a dark and secluded environment, mimicking a natural burrow.
- Temperature Regulation: Maintain a room temperature between 65-70°F (18-21°C). Avoid providing supplemental heat unless the room is cooler than this range, as excessive heat can be dangerous for baby bunnies.
- Minimal Handling for Wild Bunnies: If you are caring for a wild bunny under the guidance of a rehabilitator, minimize handling to feeding times only. Excessive human interaction can cause significant stress, which can be detrimental to their health and survival.
Feeding Guide: Formula Amounts Based on Weight and Age
The following tables provide guidelines for daily formula intake for both wild and domestic bunnies. Divide the total daily amount into the appropriate number of feedings.
Orphaned Baby Rabbit Feeding Recommendations by Weight
| Rabbit Weight (grams) | Average Feedings/Day | Average Formula Intake (cc) |
|---|---|---|
| 35-50gm | 3-5 | 8-11cc |
| 50-65gm | 1.5-3 | 10-13cc |
| 65-80gm | 1.5-3 | 13-18cc |
| 80-95gm | 1.5 | 15-20cc |
| 95gm+ | Max 2 | Max 20cc |
Orphaned Baby Rabbit Formula Intake Recommendations by Age
| Age | Average Formula Intake |
|---|---|
| Newborn | Up to 5cc KMR or goat’s milk (half of this per feeding) |
| 1-2 weeks | Up to 10-15cc KMR or goat’s milk (half of this per feeding, adjust based on bunny size) |
| 2-3 weeks | Up to 26-30cc KMR or goat’s milk (half of this per feeding). Introduce hay, pellets, water. |
| 3-6 weeks | Up to 26-30cc KMR or goat’s milk (half of this per feeding, adjust based on bunny size) |
The Benefits of Cecotropes
Cecotropes are soft, nutrient-rich droppings that healthy adult rabbits produce and typically consume to obtain essential nutrients and gut bacteria. If you have a healthy adult rabbit at home, collecting cecotropes and mixing a small amount (one per day for 4-5 days) with the KMR formula can provide beneficial bacteria for the baby bunny’s developing digestive system, especially for bunnies under one week old. Alternatively, a pinch of acidophilus powder from human capsules can be added to the formula to promote healthy gut flora.
Introducing Solids and Weaning
Domestic Bunnies: Once their eyes open (around 10 days old), introduce plain alfalfa pellets, alfalfa hay, oat hay, and timothy hay. Avoid fresh greens at this stage. Domestic bunnies are typically weaned around 6 weeks of age.
Wild Bunnies: Similarly, when their eyes open, offer plain alfalfa pellets, hay (oat, timothy, alfalfa), and introduce vegetables like carrot tops, Italian parsley, and dandelion greens. Dandelion greens and hay are particularly important for wild rabbits. You can also add whole oats and grated carrots. Ensure all fresh greens are thoroughly rinsed and replaced if uneaten after a few hours. Wild cottontails should be released as soon as they are eating hay and greens and are around 5 inches long. Release should occur at dusk or dawn to provide them with the best chance of adapting to their natural environment. Jackrabbits, being larger, are released later, around 9 weeks old. Ensure wild bunnies get daily exercise to prepare them for release.
Rehabilitation and Release of Wild Bunnies: Prioritize Professional Help
It’s crucial to reiterate that for wild infant bunnies, contacting a wildlife rehabilitator is always the best course of action. Home-raising wild bunnies, even with the best intentions, often results in lower survival rates. Rehabilitators possess the knowledge, facilities, and experience to provide the specialized care wild bunnies need, including proper nutrition, disease prevention, and socialization with other bunnies, which is vital for their well-being and successful reintegration into the wild.
Caring for infant bunnies is a demanding but rewarding endeavor. By following these guidelines and prioritizing professional help for wild rabbits, you can give these vulnerable creatures the best possible start in life. Remember to always consult with a veterinarian or wildlife expert if you have any concerns or questions about the care of orphaned baby bunnies.
