How to Feed Baby Rabbits

Baby rabbits are tiny and as soft as little cotton balls, requiring gentle care. If they lose their mother or are abandoned, you will need to feed them for their survival. Start them on the right path by offering the correct food at the right time, in the proper amounts.

Ensure the rabbit hasn't been fed by its mother. Before separating a baby rabbit from its mother or assuming it's orphaned, make sure that the mother isn’t feeding it or endangering it. A mother rabbit usually feeds her babies twice a day for only about five minutes each time. Baby rabbits do not need their mother to keep them warm, so if they seem active and not lethargic, they may just be temporarily separated for a rest, and you should avoid intervening.

• An abandoned baby rabbit will be cold, cry a lot when it's time to eat, appear sad, or have dry, wrinkled skin due to dehydration.
• Some mother rabbits may abandon their babies, in which case, you should separate the babies from her to prevent harm.
• Don’t assume that wild baby rabbits in a nest without their mother are abandoned. Regularly check the nest before feeding them—if they are full, it’s a sign they are still being cared for by the mother.
• Only 10% of baby rabbits raised by humans survive, so it’s best to leave them in the wild if possible.

Purchase rabbit milk replacement formula. Rabbit milk is the highest calorie milk among mammals, so it’s essential to choose the right milk and provide the appropriate amount for the baby rabbit.

Buy a syringe or an eyedropper to feed the rabbit. Baby rabbits aren’t used to bottle feeding, so you will need to use a sterile syringe or eyedropper for hand-feeding. These tools resemble the mother's teats, allowing you to control the amount of milk the baby consumes.

Prepare the formula milk. Baby rabbits will rely on milk until they are about 6 weeks old, and you’ll need to adjust the amount of milk based on their age. Feed them equal amounts twice a day to ensure they get the right nutrients.

Feed the rabbit with milk. Mix the formula and feed the baby rabbit twice a day. It’s important to mimic the way the mother would feed them to ensure they grow healthy and strong.

Feed the baby rabbit at their own pace. This is vital to avoid causing choking or distress. Allow the baby rabbit to suckle the syringe, and gently squeeze a bit of milk into its mouth if needed. If the rabbit doesn’t suckle on its own, give it some time to adjust. You can also gently stroke the rabbit to comfort it while feeding.

Stimulate the baby rabbit to urinate and defecate. Baby rabbits need to urinate and defecate either before or after feeding. This ensures their digestive and urinary systems stay healthy and function properly.

• You only need to help the baby rabbit with urination and defecation during the first 10 days after birth or until their eyes open.
• Take a cotton ball, soak it in warm water, and gently wipe the rabbit's anus and genital area until they start urinating and defecating. Continue this process until they’re done.
• Don’t worry; mother rabbits also help their babies with this same behavior.

Weaning the baby rabbit. You’ll continue to feed the baby rabbit milk and solid food until they are ready to wean. Depending on the species, baby rabbits will begin weaning at 3–4 weeks or 9 weeks of age.

• Domestic rabbits typically wean around 6 weeks of age.
• Wild rabbits, such as the North American cottontail, wean at 3–4 weeks, while the larger South American wild rabbits wean at 9 weeks.

Wait until the baby rabbit opens its eyes. Baby rabbits can start eating solid food once they’ve opened their eyes, usually around 10 days after birth. In addition to formula, you can slowly introduce solid food to them until they are fully weaned at around 6 weeks. Avoid feeding solid food before they open their eyes, as their digestive system is not yet prepared to handle it.

Acquaint the rabbit with solid food. Once the rabbit opens its eyes, you can start incorporating solid food into its diet. However, domestic and wild rabbits eat different types of solid food, so you’ll need to know which type of rabbit you’re caring for. Both domestic and wild rabbits can eat oat hay, timothy hay, and alfalfa hay; domestic rabbits can also eat compressed hay, while wild rabbits can eat fresh vegetables.

• Domestic rabbits: can eat oat hay, cat-tail hay, and alfalfa hay. Do NOT feed them vegetables.
• Wild rabbits: can eat oat hay, cat-tail hay, alfalfa hay, and fresh vegetables like leafy greens, carrots, and parsley. Do NOT feed them compressed hay.
• Place solid food in a corner of the cage for easy access.
• Change the hay and vegetables regularly to keep them fresh and prevent bacteria growth. Fresh, moist vegetables are essential for the rabbit’s diet.
• You can purchase hay and hay pellets at most pet stores or veterinary clinics. Fresh vegetables like leafy greens and carrots are readily available at supermarkets or local markets.

Provide water to the baby rabbit. In addition to formula and solid food, it’s important to ensure the baby rabbit has access to water to prevent dehydration and maintain a balanced diet.

• Don’t place a water dish too deep in the rabbit’s cage to avoid the risk of drowning.
• Pour a small amount of water into a shallow dish and place it in a corner of the cage.
• Clean the dish and change the water regularly to provide fresh hydration and prevent bacterial growth.

• Only handle wild baby rabbits when feeding them to prevent stress that could lead to shock or death.
• Use a smooth syringe to feed and hydrate the baby rabbit.
• Administer food slowly with a syringe to help avoid choking.
• Wrap a towel around the rabbit while feeding to help it feel calm and relaxed.
• If unsure about the feeding process, consult a veterinarian for guidance.
• Weigh and measure the rabbit daily for the first two weeks after birth to ensure it gains about 30 grams per day.

• Don’t force the baby rabbit to drink too quickly with a syringe.
• Don’t overfeed or underfeed the rabbit.

• Syringe or small eyedropper
• Baby rabbit food
• Kitten Replacement Milk or goat's milk.
• Fresh cream (optional)