How to Make Bunny Formula

When you encounter a rabbit kit that has been orphaned, you can help the bunny by providing substitute formula, which mimics the milk the animal would receive from its natural mother. Rabbits' digestive systems are different from the systems of all other animals, and require special care.

Things You'll Need

  • Kitten milk replacement
  • Electrolyte replacement, such as Pedialyte
  • 3 tsp. heavy cream
  • Cotton swab
  • 1 egg yolk
  • Sulfered molasses
  • Rabbit vitamin supplements
  • 1 cc syringe
  • Rabbit pellets
  • Hand blender
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Instructions

  1. Very Young Bunnies With Eyes Closed

    • 1

      Add one part kitten milk replacement to three parts electrolyte replacement (such as Pedialyte). Combine with three teaspoons of heavy cream. Purchase kitten milk replacement at the vet's office or the local pet store and electrolyte replacement at the drug store.

    • 2

      For an alternative formula for very young bunnies, combine one cup of kitten milk replacement with one egg yolk. Flavor with one teaspoon of sulfered molasses. Add three drops of rabbit vitamin supplements.

    • 3
      A cotton swab allows liquid to seep into the bunny's mouth.

      To feed either of these two supplements, soak a cotton swab in formula. Put the swab gently into the bunny's mouth and allow the bunny to suck. Slow feeding helps prevent choking or aspiration. Repeat until the bunny has received at least 1cc twice a day.

    After 10 Days of Age

    • 4
      At 10 days old, the bunny's eyes will be open.

      Soak one part rabbit pellets in two parts electrolyte replacement for 20 minutes. Add rabbit vitamin replacement. Blend until smooth.

    • 5

      Fill a small syringe with liquid. Place the tip of the syringe in the bunny's mouth so the liquid goes behind the front teeth and down the side of the throat. Feed one cc twice a day.

    • 6
      Hay is a natural food for rabbits.

      Begin supplementing the formula with solid food at 4-6 weeks. Options include oatmeal, hay, and high-protein rabbit pellets. Wean the bunny gradually from the formula to the solid food by cutting back replacement formula each day.