🐇 Orphaned Rabbits Are Rare – Here's What You Should Do | Vet Guide 2025 by Dr Duncan Houston

When it comes to rabbits, appearances can be deceiving—especially when it looks like a baby bunny has been abandoned. 🐾 Before jumping into rescue mode, it’s crucial to understand natural rabbit behavior. This 2025 guide from Dr Duncan Houston walks you through identifying truly orphaned rabbits, safe feeding techniques, and how to give them the best chance at survival. 💚

🌄 Mother Rabbits: Surprisingly Absent but Fully Present

Unlike dogs or cats, mother rabbits only nurse their babies twice a day—typically at dawn and dusk. Each session lasts about five minutes. That’s all it takes! Why? Because rabbit milk is extremely rich, allowing babies to get their full day’s nutrition quickly. 🍼✨

What may seem like neglect is actually strategic. Rabbit mothers stay away from the nest during the day to avoid attracting predators. This means finding a nest alone doesn’t mean it’s abandoned. ❌🐦

✅ Signs Baby Bunnies Are Being Cared For

• Warm to the touch 🌡️
• Plump stomachs, not sunken 🍑
• Pink, healthy skin—not pale or blue 💗
• Minimal crying (quiet most of the day) 🤫
• Active movements—not lethargic 🐾

If these signs are present, leave them be! Intervening can drastically reduce their chance of survival. 🛑

🚫 Don't Kidnap a Healthy Wild Nest!

One of the biggest mistakes well-meaning people make is removing wild bunnies from nests that look “abandoned.” In reality, the mother may be nearby, returning under cover of darkness. 🌒

NEVER remove wild rabbits unless you're 100% sure the mother is gone or dead. If you’ve already disturbed a nest, gently put the babies back and cover them with natural materials. Then monitor from a distance. 🕊️

🍼 What To Do With a Truly Orphaned Rabbit

If you’re absolutely certain the baby is orphaned—due to a mother’s death or rejection—there are ways you can help. But be warned: rabbit care is delicate, and over-handling or overfeeding is a fast track to complications. 💔

🚨 First Step: Know If It’s Wild or Domestic

• Wild rabbits (like cottontails) must be taken to a licensed wildlife rehabber. DIY care often ends in death. 😔
• Domestic rabbits may be cared for at home using special protocols if a mother is not present. 🐇

🏠 Create a Safe Nesting Area

Use a box lined with clean towels to simulate a nest. Cover loosely to keep it dark and quiet. Wild bunnies are extremely sensitive to stress. Keep handling to a minimum. 🤫

🔥 Heat Control

• If room temp is 65–70°F (18–21°C), do not add heat.
• If cooler, use a heating pad under only half the box on low.
• Never use heat for furred wild rabbits. ❄️🔥

🥛 Feeding Guidelines

Use kitten milk replacer (available at pet stores) or goat’s milk in emergencies. Avoid formulas like Esbilac, low-fat, or puppy formulas. ❌🐶

Feed only twice daily. Overfeeding causes fatal intestinal issues. Begin with a small 3cc syringe or eyedropper.

Feeding Amounts (Per Feeding):

Feed upright and angle syringe down to avoid aspiration. 🩺

🐇 Gut Health: Probiotics & Cecotropes

If you have a healthy adult rabbit, collect one soft cecotrope daily and mix into formula for 4–5 days. This introduces vital bacteria. If unavailable, use a probiotic like acidophilus. 🦠

🚽 Stimulating Elimination

If eyes are closed, gently rub the anal area with a warm, moist cotton ball to stimulate urination and defecation after feeding. This mimics mom’s cleaning behavior. 🧼

🌿 Introducing Solid Foods

Once eyes open (around 10 days for domestics), begin introducing:

• Timothy hay 🌾
• Oat or grass hay 🌱
• Small pellets (for domestic rabbits only) 🍽️
• Dark leafy greens (for wild bunnies): dandelion, parsley, carrot tops 🥕

Always provide fresh water. 💧

🕊️ When to Wean and Release

Domestic rabbits wean around 6 weeks. Wild rabbits (cottontails) can be released at 4–5 weeks, when eating solids and reaching about 5 inches in body length. 🏞️

Jackrabbits take longer—typically 9+ weeks. 🐾

🧳 Preparing for Release (Wild Rabbits Only)

Keep handling minimal. Use carriers lined with grasses and hay to simulate their environment. Do not allow kids to handle wild bunnies. They are not pets. 🛑

Place them in quiet, natural areas for release. The longer they are in captivity, the less likely they are to survive in the wild. 🐰🌳

🆘 Still Not Sure What to Do?

Use the Ask A Vet app 📱 for immediate guidance on baby rabbit care, or head to AskAVet.com for expert support and rehab referrals.

💬 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

In most cases, nature knows best. Intervene only when absolutely necessary—and always with caution. Baby rabbits are incredibly fragile and need specialized care. Whether you’re supporting a domestic bunny or rescuing a wild orphan, remember: expert help is only a tap away with the Ask A Vet app. 🐾

💚 *Your vigilance can save lives—thank you for caring.*