How To Feed Wild Baby Bunnies Milk

When coming across tiny newborn bunnies all by themselves, our instincts kick in and we want to immediately snatch them up and care for them. Unfortunately, this isn't usually in the rabbits' best interest. Human interaction can be deadly for rabbits and can undermine any chance of them rehabilitating in the wild. It's important to first know whether the rabbits are truly orphaned, and if they are, then to seek the assistance of a veterinarian.

Things You'll Need

  • Kitten milk replacer (KMR)
  • 1 tbsp. heavy cream
  • A pinch of acidophilus (Probiotic)
  • OR
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 3 tbsp. heavy cream
  • 3 tbsp. Karo corn syrup
  • 1 egg yolk
  • AND
  • Feeding syringe or eye or medicine dropper
  • Soft cloth
  • Cotton balls
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Instructions

    • 1

      Criss-cross two twigs over the nest just before dusk. In the morning, look to see if the twigs were disturbed. If they weren't, then it's likely the baby rabbits have been orphaned. Next, check to see if there is a white "blaze" on their foreheads. Lack of a white blaze indicates they're able to care for themselves.

    • 2

      Call a veterinarian. He may be able to either take in the rabbits or connect them with a wildlife rehabilitater. Handle the rabbit as little as possible and be wary of ticks, lice and other parasites that may be on it.

    • 3

      Prepare a baby rabbit formula. Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) can be bought at pet stores and is appropriate for use on baby rabbits as long as it is mixed with 1 tbsp of heavy cream. Mixing a pinch of acidophilus (found at vitamin stores) will also help with their chance of survival. If you do not have access to KMR, you can use the following mixture found at Rabbitweb.net: 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 3 tbsp. heavy cream, 3 tbsp. Karo corn syrup and 1 egg yolk, heated in the microwave until slightly above room temperature. It is imperative that you only feed the rabbits once or twice per day. Overfeeding is the leading cause of baby rabbit death by humans. In one day, a newborn rabbit should only get 5 ml, a 1 week old should get 10 to 15 ml, a 2 week old should get 16 to 26 ml, and a 3 week old should get 27 to 30 ml. Since it's difficult to determine the age of rabbits (eyes open at 10 days old), it's best to have them examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

    • 4

      Wrap the baby rabbit in a soft towel and lay it on its back in your lap or the crook of your arm. This will be most natural. It is imperative you don't squirt the formula into its mouth. The lungs will fill with fluid and it will suffocate. The rabbit needs to eat at it's own pace. Let it suckle the tip of the dropper instead.

    • 5

      Rub the baby rabbit's stomach with a soft cloth or cotton ball to promote urine and feces. Start from the front legs and move to the rear with a soft pressure. This replicates the mother licking it. It's important in keeping the digestive track running smoothly.