Baby rabbits should have unlimited access to Alfalfa pellets and Alfalfa hay. Once a baby rabbit turns 12 weeks, you can add a small amount of fresh veggies into their diet. It is also important to provide fresh water to baby rabbits throughout the day.
If you’ve just brought home a baby rabbit, congratulations! These furry little creatures make great pets. One of the first things you’ll need to know is how much to feed your new friend.
The type of food you’ll want to give your baby rabbit will depend on their age. You’ll need to give newborns up to two weeks old a special milk replacer designed specifically for rabbits. After two weeks, you can start transitioning them to a diet of hay, pellets, and fresh vegetables.
But how much food should you give your baby rabbit? And are there any foods they should avoid?
What You'll Learn
- 1 The Best Foods For Baby Rabbits (And How Much They Should Eat)
- 2 What Food Should Baby Rabbits NOT Eat?
- 3 Don’t Forget About Water!
- 4 How Many Times Per Day Should Baby Rabbits Eat?
- 5 How to Tell if a Baby Rabbit is Eating too Much
- 6 How to Tell if a Baby Rabbit Isn’t Eating Enough
- 7 What To Do if a Baby Rabbit Refuses To Eat
- 8 Adding Water To Their Food
- 9 How Should You Adjust The Diet As The Rabbit Grows?
- 10 Is Your Baby Rabbit Healthy?
The Best Foods For Baby Rabbits (And How Much They Should Eat)
Before we get into how much baby rabbits should eat per day, it’s essential to know what kinds of food are safe for them.
For the first two weeks of their lives, baby rabbits should drink a milk replacer explicitly designed for rabbits. These can be found at most pet stores. After two weeks, you can start slowly transitioning them to hay, pellets, and fresh vegetables.
Alfalfa Hay
Alfalfa hay is an excellent source of fiber for rabbits and should be a staple in their diet. It’s also a good source of protein, calcium, and other nutrients.
How Much Should They Eat?
Baby rabbits can eat an unlimited amount of alfalfa hay each day.
Alfalfa Pellets
Alfalfa pellets are a good source of protein and other nutrients for rabbits. They can be given to rabbits of all ages but are especially beneficial to baby rabbits.
How Much Should They Eat?
Baby rabbits can eat an unlimited amount of alfalfa pellets each day.
Fresh Veggies
Fresh vegetables are an essential part of a rabbit’s diet and should be given to them every day once they reach 12 weeks of age.
Some good options include dark, leafy greens like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard. Just be sure to avoid giving them any vegetables that are high in sugar, like corn or peas.
How Much Should They Eat?
Baby rabbits should not eat fresh veggies until they are 12 weeks old. Once they are 12 weeks old, they can have a small amount of fresh veggies daily. Start off with just one veggie to see how they respond. If they handle it well (don’t have digestive issues), you can feed them a little more each day.
What Food Should Baby Rabbits NOT Eat?
There are also some foods that you should avoid giving your baby rabbit. These include:
Fruit
Fruit is high in sugar and can cause gastrointestinal problems in baby rabbits. It should be avoided altogether.
Lettuce
Lettuce is low in nutrients and can cause problems with a rabbit’s digestive system.
Anything Treated With Pesticides or Other Chemicals
You’ll want to avoid giving your rabbit any vegetables treated with pesticides or other chemicals.
Don’t Forget About Water!
Baby rabbits should have access to fresh water at all times. You can provide this by filling a water bottle with fresh water and attaching it to their cage.
You can also use a water bowl instead of a bottle. Studies show that rabbits actually prefer drinking water out of a bowl. The only downside is that it can cause a mess.
How Many Times Per Day Should Baby Rabbits Eat?
Baby rabbits should eat several times throughout the day. They’ll usually eat the most food in the morning and evening.
You can free-feed them hay, pellets, and fresh vegetables. This means you’ll fill their food dish with enough food for the day, and they can eat whenever they’re hungry.
You can also feed them several small meals throughout the day. This is a good option if you’re worried they’re not getting enough to eat.
How to Tell if a Baby Rabbit is Eating too Much
Even though you should let your baby rabbit eat as much as they want, there is still a chance they will overeat. If you think your rabbit is overeating, here are a few signs to watch out for:
Lethargy
If your rabbit is sleeping more than usual, it could be a sign of overeating. We all know what it’s like to be in a food coma!
Soft Stool
Overfeeding will cause the digestive system to become upset, resulting in soft stool or diarrhea.
Gaining Too Much Weight
This is an obvious one. Gaining weight and overeating go hand in hand. If your rabbit is gaining too much weight, it means they are overeating.
Unhealthy Coat
If your rabbit’s coat starts to look unhealthy, it could be a sign of overfeeding.
How to Tell if a Baby Rabbit Isn’t Eating Enough
There are also some signs that your baby rabbit isn’t eating enough. These include:
Dry and Brittle Fur
If your rabbit’s fur is dry and brittle, it could be a sign of malnutrition.
Low Energy
Rabbits who aren’t eating enough will have low energy levels and may not be as active as usual.
Weight Loss
If your rabbit is losing weight, it’s a sign that they’re not getting enough to eat.
Dehydration
Dehydration can also be a sign of malnutrition. You can check for dehydration by gently pinching your rabbit’s skin. If the skin takes a long time to return to its normal position, it’s a sign of dehydration.
What To Do if a Baby Rabbit Refuses To Eat
If your baby rabbit is refusing to eat, the first thing you should do is figure out why. There are a few reasons why a rabbit might not want to eat, including:
They’re Sick
If your rabbit is sick, it may not have an appetite. This is especially true if they have a gastrointestinal problem.
They’re Teething
Baby rabbits go through a teething process, just like human babies. This can make them cranky and not want to eat.
They Have Oral Issues
Rabbits can develop problems with their teeth. If they have an abscess or any other type of dental issue, it can make eating painful.
They Don’t Like The Food
Rabbits can be picky eaters. If they don’t like the food you’re offering, they may not want to eat it.
If you think your rabbit isn’t eating because they’re sick, teething, or have oral issues, the best thing to do is take them to the vet. They can help you figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it.
If you think your rabbit is refusing to eat because they don’t like the food you’re offering, there are a few things you can do. These include:
Adding Water To Their Food
Rabbits need to consume a lot of water to stay hydrated. They may not want to eat their food if they do not drink enough water. Try adding a little water to their food to see if that helps.
Offer New Foods
If your rabbit is picky, it may just need some variety in its diet. Try offering new foods and see if that makes a difference.
Try Soft Foods
If your rabbit is used to their mother’s milk, they may not want to eat solid food. Try offering soft foods to see if that helps.
Speak With a Vet
If you still have trouble getting your rabbit to eat, speak with a vet. They may be able to give you some tips or offer medication that can help.
Be Patient
Remember, rabbits are creatures of habit. It may take a while to adjust if you’ve recently introduced a new food or changed their diet. Be patient and keep trying. They’ll eventually come around.
How Should You Adjust The Diet As The Rabbit Grows?
As your rabbit grows, you’ll need to adjust their diet to ensure they’re getting enough to eat. The amount of food they need will depend on their age, weight, and activity level.
For example, a baby rabbit will need more food than an adult rabbit. This is because they’re growing and need the extra nutrition.
You should also adjust their diet if they start to gain or lose weight. If they’re gaining weight, you may need to feed them less. If they’re losing weight, you may need to feed them more.
You should also speak with a vet if you have questions about your rabbit’s diet. They can help ensure they’re getting everything they need to stay healthy.
Is Your Baby Rabbit Healthy?
It’s important to make sure your baby rabbit is getting enough to eat. If they’re not, it can lead to health problems. If you’re having trouble getting them to eat, speak with a vet. They can help you figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it. Remember to be patient and adjust their diet as they grow.
