Caring for a baby rabbit
You Bought A Young Bunny
Some people still insist on selling rabbits below the age of 8 weeks. I receive emails and calls from people who have purchased rabbits from flea markets and even pet stores that are really too young to have been moved away from their original home.
Often the reason for the call is that the baby is sick. Too often they die.
Rabbits do not finish weaning until around 7 weeks of age. They may be eating solid food, but if they were still with their dams, they would also be nursing.
Their digestive systems are undergoing huge changes in PH and in the development of intestinal flora during the weeks from 3 through 7. Rabbits below the age of 8 weeks simply have not finished that transition and are vulnerable to the extra stress of a move: a change in feed, a change in water, and a change in environment.
The moral of the story is to purchase an older rabbit. I suggest 12 to 26 weeks of age, if you want a young rabbit. And a young adult is probably an even better bargain still (because their personalities are more apparent and stable, and they can more easily handle the stress of a move).
But what if it is too late? What if you already have a baby at
home? How can you increase the chances that
your baby will survive?
Consistency
Now is not the time to give your baby treats. A consistent diet of hay or straw, water, and pellets is your best bet. Rabbits have different reactions to different vegetables, grains, and fruits. Now is not the time to make an error and stress your baby's digestive tract.
Keep your baby's environment constant, too. Your rabbit can tolerate noise, but not sudden noises. Try to keep the temperature as constant as possible, erring on the cool side rather than the hot side, if possible.
Delay traveling and visits. I know you want to show off your bunny,
but let him or her get a few more weeks under the belt before show and tell
begins.
Facilitate The Development Of Intestinal Flora
Even though we cannot duplicate the intestinal flora that your rabbit is developing, the addition of probiotics will help him or her develop their own.
You can use any of the following:
- Fast Track liquid dispersible for exotics in the drinking water
- Bene-Bac Gel
(Cat or Dog or generic)
- Plain Yogurt, if other products are not available to you
Just remember that these things stress a rabbit: too much protein, too much carbohydrate, low fiber, too much activity, sudden noises, swift changes in temperature, being too hot, being handled by different people, and traveling.
Eating hay or straw reduces stress. After water, it's the most important thing you can give your rabbit.