How to Care for Infant Bunnies

Infant bunnies are dependent creatures that require care for survival. If you find yourself charged with the task of tending to a new bunny litter, you must faithfully follow an appropriate system of care to ensure their survival. These creatures, like many other baby animals, are susceptible to illness and starvation. Additionally, these creatures' under-developed digestive tracts require specialized care to replace actions that their mother normally would perform.

Instructions

    • 1

      Create a nest. Prepare a soft space for your infant bunnies to call home by filling a small box with towels. Place several layers of towels in the box to create soft folds for your bunnies to nestle into. Store this box in an area that is kept between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, recommends Zooh Corner Rabbit Rescue. If you cannot provide an environment that is between these two temperatures, place a heating pad set on "low" in the box beneath the towels. Put the heating pad on one side of the box only to allow the bunnies to decide for themselves whether they rest on or off the pad.

    • 2

      Feed the babies kitten milk replacer mixed with one tablespoon of cream per can. Purchase kitten milk replacer at a pet store and fortify it with the cream to raise the calorie content as rabbit milk is high in calories. Feed the bunnies no more than two times a day. Give the rabbits approximately 5 cubic centimeters of food spread between the two feedings. Exercise caution as overfeeding can be deadly.

    • 3

      Nestle the bunny in the crook of your arm or wrap it loosely in a towel and lay it on your lap while feeding. These feeding positions ensure that the bunny feels safe and supported while it eats. If the bunny refuses to adopt one of these positions, do not force it, but instead let it rest in position that is comfortable for it.

    • 4

      Rub the bunny on the belly with a moist cloth from between the front legs to the anal area to promote defecation and urination. Mother rabbits encourage their infants to expel waste by licking their bellies. By imitating this behavior you can produce the same result.

    • 5

      Introduce the babies to hay and food pellets when their eyes open at approximately 10 days of age. Lay the hay and food pellets in the corner of the box and allow the bunnies to explore them independently. As they show an interest in these additions and start to nibble upon them, begin to slowly transition them to this diet.