Baby rabbits are cute little furry animals and require a lot of care. You need to feed the baby rabbit to keep it alive, whether the baby is alone in the nest (also known as kitten in English) or rejected by its mother. By feeding them at the right time, quantity, and type, you can help your baby rabbit start a good life.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Formula Feeding for Baby Rabbits
Step 1. Make sure the mother rabbit does not feed the babies
Before taking a baby rabbit from its mother (or feeling that the baby has been abandoned), make sure that the mother is not feeding or harmful to the baby. The mother rabbit feeds her cubs twice a day and only for five minutes. Baby rabbits don't need their mother to keep them warm. If the baby rabbit you find seems fine, even when the mother often leaves her, there's a good chance that the mother is just resting and you shouldn't disturb the baby rabbit.
- Baby rabbits left by their mothers will feel cold and "cry" for more than a few minutes at feeding time. His body is blue or his skin wrinkled from dehydration.
- Some mother rabbits reject their babies. In this case, you need to separate the baby from the mother so that she is not harmed.
- Don't assume that a baby rabbit in an empty nest is a baby left by its mother. Check on the baby as often as possible before you take him or her to feed. If the baby seems happy, there's a good chance he wasn't abandoned by his mother.
- Only 10% of baby rabbits cared for by humans survive so it's a good idea to keep them out in the open if possible.
Step 2. Purchase a replacement milk product for baby rabbits
If you want to feed a baby rabbit, you will need to purchase a milk substitute. Rabbit milk is milk that contains the most calories among other mammalian milks. Therefore, make sure you choose a replacement product and set the appropriate amount.
- Buy a cat milk replacement product (kitten milk replacer or KMR) or goat's milk to give to baby rabbits. You can buy a product like this at a pet supply store or vet's office.
- You can supplement the dairy substitute by adding a tablespoon of heavy whipped cream that is 100% sugar-free to increase the calories and mimic the consistency of mother rabbit's milk.
- You can also supplement the nutrition of milk substitutes by adding a little sour milk to the formula. With this addition, you can keep the good bacteria in the baby rabbit's intestines. Sour milk is usually available at most health grocery stores.
Step 3. Purchase an oral syringe or dropper to feed baby rabbits
Baby rabbits usually can't feed directly from a bottle so make sure you have an oral syringe or sterile pipette to feed the baby. Equipment like this also helps you adjust the amount of milk and mimic the size of the mother rabbit's nipples.
You can buy an oral syringe or dropper at most pharmacies. In addition, vet offices and pet supply stores may also have some special options for pets
Step 4. Prepare or mix a milk replacement formula
Baby rabbits breastfeed from birth until they reach about six weeks of age. You need to make enough formula to give at different ages. By dividing the formula into two equal portions each day, you can ensure that your baby rabbit is getting enough nutrition.
- Remember to mix in a tablespoon of heavy, sugar-free whipped cream for each serving/measure of milk substitute. You can also add the pinch acidophilus at this time, too.
- For baby rabbits from newborn to one week old, give 4-5 ml of formula milk.
- For baby rabbits aged 1-2 weeks, give formula milk as much as 10-15 ml.
- For baby rabbits aged 2-3 weeks, give formula milk as much as 15-30 ml.
- For baby rabbits 3-6 weeks old (or until weaned), give 30 ml of formula.
Step 5. Give the baby rabbit formula
After mixing the products, you can feed the baby rabbit twice a day. It is important that you feed your baby rabbit in the same way its mother feeds it to keep the baby healthy and thriving.
Mother rabbits generally feed their babies twice a day, in the early morning and evening
Step 6. Let the baby rabbit eat at its own pace
It's important that you let the baby rabbit eat at its pace. Otherwise, the baby may choke or his safety may be jeopardized.
- The baby rabbit will suck on the tip of the syringe and you can dispense a small amount of formula according to his liking (or ability).
- If your baby is reluctant to suck formula from a syringe, give him time to adjust. You can encourage him to eat by dispensing a small amount of formula.
- You can also rub the baby rabbit to soothe it while feeding it.
Step 7. Encourage the baby rabbit to defecate and urinate
It is important for baby rabbits to defecate and urinate before or after eating. This pattern of bowel movements keeps the intestinal tract and urinary system healthy and functioning properly.
- You only need to stimulate bowel movements or urination for the first 10 days (from birth) or until the baby rabbit's eyes open.
- Prepare a cotton swab moistened with warm water and wipe the cotton on the rectal area and genitals of the baby rabbit until he begins to defecate or urinate. Keep wiping the cotton until the baby has finished urinating.
- Don't be afraid if you make a mistake as this process actually mimics the behavior of the mother rabbit.
Step 8. Wean the baby rabbit
Keep giving your baby formula and solid food until he is ready to wean. Baby rabbits can usually be weaned once they reach three (or four) to nine weeks, depending on the breed of rabbit you care for.
- Domestic baby rabbits are usually weaned when they reach about 6 weeks of age.
- Wild baby rabbits such as cottontail species are weaned when they reach 3-4 weeks of age, while jackrabbit species are weaned when they reach 9 months of age.
Part 2 of 2: Giving Solid Food to Baby Rabbits
Step 1. Wait for the baby bunny's eyes to open
Baby rabbits can already eat solid food when their eyes are open (about 10 days after birth). You can gradually add solid foods in addition to formula until your baby is weaned by 6 weeks of age. Do not give solid food until the eyes are open. The intestinal tract is not ready to digest solid food at this stage.
Step 2. Introduce solid food to the baby rabbit
Once the eyes are open, you can add solid food as a type of food. However, domestic rabbits and wild rabbits eat different types of solid food so make sure you know what type of rabbit you are currently caring for. Both can eat oats, timothy grass, and alfalfa grass. Domestic rabbits can eat pellets, while wild rabbits can eat vegetables.
- Domestic rabbit: oats and timothy grass, alfalfa grass and pellets. DO NOT GIVE VEGETABLES to domestic rabbits.
- Wild rabbit: oats and timothy grass, alfalfa grass, and fresh vegetables (eg dark green leafy vegetables, carrot leaves, parsley). DO NOT GIVE PELLETS to wild rabbits.
- Place solid food at the end of the cage so that it can be easily reached and eaten.
- Make sure you change grass, pellets, and vegetables frequently to prevent them from rotting and becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. The vegetables given must be fresh and moist.
- You can buy grass and pellets at most pet supply stores or vet's offices. Meanwhile, green leafy vegetables and carrots are usually available in supermarkets or markets.
Step 3. Provide water for the baby rabbit
In addition to formula and solid foods, give your baby rabbit water. Water helps maintain body fluids and regulates his diet properly.
- Do not place the bowl high in the crib. Baby rabbits can drown in a tall bowl filled with water.
- Fill a short bowl with a little water and place the bowl in the corner of the cage.
- Clean and refill the water bowl regularly. This not only keeps the baby rabbits hydrated, but also ensures that the water provided does not become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Tips
- Only hold wild rabbits when you feed them. Otherwise, he will be shocked and this is very fatal.
- Use an easy-flowing syringe to give baby rabbit food or treats.
- Put the food into the baby rabbit's mouth slowly with a syringe to prevent choking.
- When feeding, wrap the baby rabbit in a towel to soothe it.
- Talk to your vet if you are unsure about how to feed your baby rabbit.
Warning
- Never give a baby rabbit liquid food too quickly using a syringe.
- Make sure you don't feed the rabbit in too little/too much "portion".
