Keeping baby rabbits as pet is very much in the trend. Generally, it is seen that people are not aware of the diet and food of baby rabbits. So they give them whole milk and fruit juice. Due to this, the baby rabbit may face different issues or it can be caused to death. So what does one give to the little rabbit?
Do Baby Rabbits Need Milk?
–Yes baby rabbits also need milk like all other mammals. They very much depend on their mother’s milk. A mother rabbits do not feed milk continuously but it requires at least once in a day. A baby rabbit starts eating when it reaches two weeks but it needs milk from its mother for up to six weeks. It provides additional nourishment.
From all the types of animals, rabbit’s milk is unique. It contains extra calories. Thus baby rabbits need less food. Sometimes it may happen that baby rabbits get lost or separated from their mother. In such a case, a wild baby can find orphaned. However, a pet rabbit needs extra attention and care. Some More About Can Bearded Dragons Eat Broccoli.
How To Bottle Feed Orphaned Baby Rabbits
In order to feed the baby rabbits one needs to ask for an animal feeding bottle in near pet store.
- First, get a towel and wrapped that baby rabbit in it. Try to not allow to rabbit to roll into her back so her lungs will not flood with fluid.
- Fill the bottle with special milk formula. Try to place a nipple on the corner of her mouth. Make sure that baby does not chew the syringe. It takes a few attempts to get used to it.
- Once you place the bottle in her mouth, try to release a small amount of quantity. Do not release the entire milk at once because the rabbit can be choked.
- Try to repeat this method only twice a day. It will help baby rabbits to get fit and healthy.
Can Baby Rabbits Drink Cow Milk?
No, baby rabbits cannot drink cow milk. Baby rabbits for their survival require milk. Rabbits consume milk in very less quantity but often they need it. Once a baby rabbit reaches two weeks older it starts taking solid food. Often it requires milk.
Some people think that it is okay to give cow milk. However, the cow’s milk is not suitable for baby rabbits. Cow’s milk is full of hormones, blood, and pus. The little baby’s stomach cannot digest cow’s milk.
In fact, if a rabbit consumes cow’s milk it can easily die Because rabbits cannot do vomiting. So it is advisable not to give cow’s milk.
Can Baby Rabbits Drink Goat Milk?
Yes, in case of emergency baby rabbits can drink goat milk. Instead of giving cow milk better to give goat milk. It can easily be digested by baby rabbits. The goat’s milk is easily tolerable. The main difference between cow and goat is Protein & sugar. Secret Healthy Food For Rabbits Eat Cucumbers?
The goat milk is much lighter and contains less lactose. So in case of emergency goat milk can be given to rabbits. Wild rabbits can easily cope with goat milk. However, it is also advisable that baby rabbits should be given special milk formula only.
Then What Types of Milk Is Best For The Baby Rabbits?
The best product for baby rabbits is a kitten milk replacer. This formula is specially made for baby rabbits only. It helps them flourish. The baby rabbits are known as kittens.
Recommended Dose of Feeding the Baby Bunnies
| Age | Quantity |
| 0 – 7 days | 5 – 7 ml twice a day |
| 1 – 2 weeks | 7 – 13 ml twice a day |
| 2 – 3 weeks | 7 – 13 ml twice in a day |
| 3 – 6 weeks | 13 – 15 ml twice a day |
By following the guidelines the baby rabbits can be flourishing. The maximum time required for babies is up to six weeks. This is a basic guideline that allows baby rabbits to maintain protein and cope with all types of weakness.
Caring For An Orphaned Baby Rabbit
In the rural area, you often found the rabbit nest. Mother rabbits build a nest where the young baby feels safe. It is very common to find a rabbit nest without a mother. A mother rabbit leaves her best for 23 hrs. She comes to the nest only once a day when she needs to feed her baby.
So whenever you find a orphaned baby leave them alone. Do not try to remove babies from their nests.
By doing this you decrease their chance of survival. If you have a baby rabbit then it should give a kitten milk replacer only twice in a day. Overfeeding can cause of death or other problems. On the other hand, if you found wild rabbits better to leave them in a nest because the mother rabbit feeds it’s child in the middle of the night.
What To Feed Baby Rabbits Without A Mother
Kitten Milk Replacer is the best product for baby rabbits. A baby rabbit drinks milk only once a day from its mother. However, if the mother rabbit is not available, then it requires giving them other replacements. This help to satisfy their hunger.
One can use the animal bottle for their rabbits. Apart from milk, one can also provide water. It is essential to give water to babies. One needs to hydrate their babies throughout the day. Once a baby reached the age of 8 weeks, you can give should food like hay, pellets, or lettuce.
How To Make A Baby Bunny Milk Substitute
For feeding the baby rabbits one can use a kitten milk replacer. However, on some places, this formula is not available. So one can use homemade milk replacer. The recipe includes the following points
- Take one cup of goat milk and add 56 gm of additional powered goat milk.
- Stir one tablespoon of heavy cream without sugar. It makes the formula richer and adds calories in rabbit milk.
- Heat this formula at 98-100 Fahrenheit. This formula satisfies the needs of baby rabbits.
So, Why You Should Never Give Milk to Rabbits?
It causes death in baby rabbits. In most mammals, Milk is essential. It is considered a whole food. However, not all mammals can digest dairy milk. A rabbit is one of them. The main problem with baby rabbits is that they cannot digest lactose. Moreover, they cannot vomit. Thus, one should not provide any type of dairy milk to the baby rabbit. Related Post Can Your Rabbits Eat Celery?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Often Should Orphaned Baby Rabbits Be Fed?
The baby rabbits are fed by their mother only once a day. However, if you find an orphaned baby, then it requires feeding twice a day. By using a kitten milk replacer or goat milk, one can feed baby rabbits easily. The diet of the bay rabbits is very limited. It is better to feed them in small quantities. Once the baby reached the age of 8 weeks, you can give them fruits or vegetables up to 25 gm per kg as per rabbit weight.
2. Can rabbits drink anything other than water?
It is not recommended to give anything other than fresh water. The baby rabbit may have digestive problems. So it is better to give them fresh water only. However, you can add a few drops of fresh juice or vegetables to the water,
3. Can you feed a baby rabbit whole milk?
No, you cannot give whole milk to baby rabbits. It is evident if anything is given to baby rabbits by force then it can enter the lungs or choke it. you should be very careful with the baby rabbit in terms of their diet. So, whole milk must be avoided from the diet.
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