How To Keep A Wild Baby Rabbit Alive

Have you ever come across a helpless wild baby rabbit, abandoned and alone? Taking in orphaned wildlife is an incredibly rewarding experience, but also carries great responsibility. These tiny, vulnerable creatures rely entirely on your care and have very specific needs in order to survive. Be prepared for an intensive journey that will require round-the-clock feedings, meticulous sanitation, and emergency readiness. From building a proper nest to stimulating waste elimination, you’ll gain fascinating insights into the development of these lovable animals. If you’re ready for a truly heartwarming challenge, learn step-by-step how you can help keep an orphaned wild baby rabbit alive! This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to nurture the kit from fragile infancy to adulthood. Let’s begin the adventure!

How to Help A Wild Baby Rabbit Survive

Caring for a wild baby rabbit can be very rewarding but also challenging. Wild rabbits have very specific care needs in order to survive, especially when they are orphaned at a young age. If you find a wild baby rabbit, here are some tips to help it survive:

Build A Nest

One of the most important things you can do is create a proper nest for the wild rabbit. In the wild, mother rabbits make nests by digging shallow holes in the ground and lining it with fur plucked from their own bodies. To recreate this, get a small cardboard box or plastic tub and line it with soft fabric like t-shirts or towels. Make sure the nest is at least 4 inches deep so the baby has room to burrow down. Place the nest in a quiet, sheltered area away from dangers like predators, lawn mowers, or cars.

Maintain the Right Temperature

Baby rabbits, called kittens, cannot regulate their own body temperature until around 2-3 weeks old. The nest needs to be kept between 90-97°F. Monitor the temperature with a thermometer and make adjustments as needed. Place a heating pad or hot water bottle under one side of the nest, being careful to not overheat. Insulate the nest by covering it with fabric or even crumpled newspaper. Make sure part of the nest stays unheated so the kit can crawl to a cooler area if needed.

Feed the Wild Rabbits

Mother rabbits only visit their nest 2-3 times a day to nurse, so orphaned kittens need special care when it comes to feeding. Wild rabbit kittens should be fed kitten replacement milk formula, which can be found at most pet stores. Place a small dish in the nest and let them lap up the milk. They will need to be fed every 2-3 hours. As they grow older, around 3-4 weeks, you can introduce solid foods like timothy hay, dark leafy greens, pellets, and fresh produce. Provide a constant supply of fresh water as well.

Stimulate Urination and Defecation

Young rabbits are unable to urinate or pass stool on their own, so you will need to help them go to the bathroom after feedings. Use a warm, damp cloth or cotton ball to gently rub their genitals and anus to stimulate elimination. They should urinate and/or pass stool once per day. Skipping this step can be fatal to their health.

Provide Cecotropes

Rabbits digest their food twice, and the process results in the excretion of soft, nutrient-rich pellets called cecotropes that the rabbit eats directly from its anus. Baby rabbits are unable to do this themselves until 4-5 weeks old. Starting around 2 weeks of age, use your fingers to take some of the stool directly from their anus and feed it to them. This provides essential nutrients and healthy gut bacteria.

Caring for An Injured Wild Baby Rabbit

If you find a wild baby rabbit that is sick or injured, it will need specialized care and rehabilitation. Here are some common injuries and illnesses seen in wild baby rabbits:

Rabbit Is Dragging Back Legs

Often a sign of nerve damage, possibly due to trauma. Support its lower body by placing it on a towel and allow access to food and water. Seek veterinary care. Recovery depends on the severity of nerve damage.

Rabbit Keeps Falling Over

This is usually caused by an inner ear infection which causes loss of balance. Seek veterinary care for evaluation and antibiotics. Support recovery by limiting space to prevent injury from falling.

Rabbit Is Lethargic

Lethargy and unresponsiveness can indicate serious illness in a baby rabbit. It may not be responding due to hypothermia, dehydration, or malnutrition. Check its vital signs and get emergency vet care if needed. Warm it gradually, give fluids/nutrition by syringe until stabilized.

Rabbit Isn’t Moving

If a baby rabbit is motionless, not responding, and seems to be having seizures, it is likely suffering from late-stage hypothermia. Warming too quickly at this point can cause death. Seek emergency veterinary care immediately for euthanasia or treatment guidance.

Rabbit Has Been Attacked

predicate the severity of wounds. Clean bite and scratch wounds with antiseptic. If there are broken bones, internal damage, or the rabbit is in shock, euthanasia may be the most humane option. Pain medication can help short-term pending vet care.

Caring for wild baby rabbits requires dedication! Set alarms for night feedings, research care techniques, and be prepared to provide around-the-clock intensive nursing. If challenges arise, consult wildlife rehabilitators. With patience and compassion, you can successfully raise orphaned wild rabbits!

Build A Nest

Building a proper nest is one of the most important things you can do to help a wild baby rabbit survive. Here are some tips:

Get a small cardboard box or plastic tub and line it with soft fabric like t-shirts or towels. Avoid loose bedding like hay which can tangle around the rabbit.
The nest should be around 4 inches deep so the kit has room to burrow down and be covered. Make sure the sides are high enough to prevent them from crawling out.
Place the nest in a quiet, sheltered spot away from dangers. An indoor location like a bathroom or spare room works well. Or you can place it in a shed or covered porch outside.
Insulate the nest to help hold in warmth. Cover the sides and top with fabric. Crumpled newspaper also helps retain heat.
Leave one section uncovered so they can crawl to a cooler spot to regulate their temperature as needed.
Monitor the temperature with a thermometer and make adjustments to maintain 90-97°F. Place a heating pad or hot water bottle under one side.
Keep the nest lined with soft, worn fabrics that hold the baby's scent and provide comfort. Replace bedding if soiled.
Avoid direct handling of wild rabbits if possible. However, some periodic cuddling can help socialize them.
Check on the rabbits every few hours to make sure the nest remains clean, dry, and heated. Adjust as needed to meet their needs.

Following these nest-building tips will help satisfy a wild baby rabbit's needs for security, warmth, and comfort – giving them the best chance to survive and thrive. Be prepared to make adjustments as the rabbits grow.

Maintain the Right Temperature

Baby rabbits cannot regulate their own body temperature until 2-3 weeks of age. Keeping them at the ideal warmth is crucial for their survival. Here are tips for maintaining proper temperature:

The ideal temperature for the nest is 90-97°F. This can be monitored with a thermometer.
Place a heating pad or hot water bottle under one side of the nest to provide warmth. Make sure the rabbits can crawl away from direct heat if needed.
Insulate the nest by lining it with fabric like t-shirts or towels. You can also use crumpled newspaper around the outer walls.
Do not overheat the nest. Signs of overheating include panting, skin redness, and lethargy. The nest should have a cooler area.
When feeding the rabbits, check their body temperature by touch. Healthy temperature is around 101°F.
The surrounding air temperature can also impact nest warmth. Adjust ambient temperatures to help maintain the ideal 90-97°F range.
If the nest becomes too cold, gradually warm it back up to prevent shock. Cold rabbits may stop moving – seek emergency vet care.
Add extra insulation like blankets or cardboard if the room itself gets very cold, such as at night.
As the rabbits grow, they will need less heat. Slowly reduce temperature by 4-5 weeks old.

Monitoring nest temperature routinely and making adjustments is a critical part of caring for wild baby rabbits. Maintaining proper warmth supports healthy development and enables their survival.

Feed the Wild Rabbits

Feeding is one of the most important parts of caring for orphaned wild baby rabbits. Here are some key tips for successful feeding:

Wild rabbits need kitten replacement milk formula, not cow's milk. Use a kitten milk replacer from a pet store.
Feed the rabbits every 2-3 hours. Gently open their mouth with a fingertip and let them lap up the formula.
Only prepare enough formula for a single feeding session. Leftovers must be discarded after an hour.
Heat milk to around 100°F before feeding. Test temperature on your wrist.
Feed using a small pet nurser bottle with a long tip to reach into the nest. Hygiene is critical.
Feed while rabbits are in their nest to avoid stressful removals. They will not willingly nurse outside.
Once around 3-4 weeks old, introduce solid foods like timothy hay, greens, veggies and rabbit pellets.
Provide a constant supply of fresh water once they begin eating solids. Use a tip-proof dish.
Transition gradually from formula to solid foods over a period of 1-2 weeks.
Monitor weight gain and increase food as needed if growth seems too slow. Healthy is around 5-10 grams per day.

With a commitment to frequent feedings, a proper diet, and safe preparation, you can ensure orphaned wild rabbits get the nutrition they critically need to survive and thrive.

Stimulate Urination and Defecation

Young wild rabbits under 2 weeks old cannot urinate or pass stool on their own, so human assistance is needed. Here is how to safely stimulate elimination:

Use a warm, damp cloth or cotton ball to gently rub their genitals and anus. Do this after every feeding.
Apply light pressure and massage in a circular motion over these areas to mimic a mother's tongue.
Stimulate until the kitten urinates and passes stool. This should happen once per day.
Kits may not stool every day. But urine should be expelled after every feeding session.
Without this external stimulation, urine and stool will build up and can be fatal.
Signs of constipation or urinary issues include lethargy, lack of appetite, bloating, or straining. Seek vet help.
Dispose of any soiled materials and replace nest bedding promptly to avoid unsanitary conditions.
Wash hands thoroughly before and after stimulating elimination and handling babies.

Assisting orphaned wild rabbits with this natural bodily function is crucial for their health and survival. Be diligent, gentle and committed to their care. If issues arise, consult a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian.

Provide Cecotropes

Cecotropes are soft, nutrient-rich fecal pellets that rabbits naturally re-ingest directly from their anus in order to fully digest their food. Baby rabbits under 4-5 weeks old cannot produce cecotropes or eat them on their own, so human assistance is needed:

Around 2 weeks of age, start collecting cecotropes directly from the rabbit's anus with your fingers. The pellets are soft, shiny, and clustered together.
Feed the cecotropes to the rabbits right away – they cannot be stored. Gently open their mouth and place inside.
Provide cecotropes at the same frequency the kits are defecating, usually once per day. Monitor their stool.
This mimics the mother rabbit's role in the wild and provides essential vitamins, minerals, proteins and healthy gut bacteria.
If cecotropes are not eaten, the rabbits can develop diarrhea or become malnourished. Seek vet help if issues arise.
Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling cecotropes to prevent contamination or spread of bacteria.
Once rabbits reach 4-5 weeks old, they will begin eating their cecotropes directly on their own.

Assisting orphaned wild baby rabbits with cecotrope consumption is an unusual but essential part of their care. It supports healthy development and may literally save their lives. Stay committed to their wellbeing.

References:

https://rabbitbreeders.us/questions-and-answers/how-to-keep-a-wild-baby-rabbit-alive/
https://www.onlinerabbitcare.com/questions-and-answers/how-to-keep-a-wild-baby-rabbit-alive/