A pregnant rabbit may still mate with a male rabbit. However, it is not recommended as this can lead to complications during pregnancy. If a female rabbit is pregnant, she should be kept away from males to avoid any potential breeding.
If you are new to rabbit breeding, you may wonder if your pregnant rabbit will still mate. The answer is complicated and depends on a variety of factors, including the stage of pregnancy and the health of the rabbit.
This blog post will explore the topic in-depth and provide some helpful information for rabbit owners.
What You'll Learn
Female Rabbits Can Mate While Pregnant
Those new to the rabbit world may be surprised to hear that a female rabbit can get pregnant twice. This means she can carry two separate litters at the same time.
But how is this possible? Rabbits have two uteruses. If a female rabbit mates while pregnant, she may become pregnant in both uteruses.
While this may not seem like a big deal, it can be dangerous for the mother and her babies.
Why This Puts Her and Her Litter at Risk
At first thought, a double pregnancy might sound like a great thing. It means twice the bunnies in half the time, right? Not so fast.
There are quite a few risks to both the mother and the bunny, and there’s a chance you’ll end up with no surviving bunnies.
Female Rabbit Will Give Birth Twice in a Short Time Period
The biggest risk to the mother is that she will have to give birth twice in a short period of time. This can be incredibly stressful on her body and may even lead to death. If she survives, it will take her much longer to recover, and the psychological stress will continue.
The Second Litter Likely Won’t Survive
Another significant risk is that the second litter is unlikely to survive. This is because the mother’s body cannot produce enough milk for two litters of bunnies. The second litter will compete with the first for food, and since the second litter will be smaller and weaker, they won’t stand a chance.
The First Litter is Also At Risk
Even the first litter is at risk. This is because they may be born early. While this isn’t always the case, it’s more likely to happen when the mother carries two litters. The momma rabbit can only grow so big. At some point, she will run out of room and may go into labor before the rabbits reach full term.
Should You Let Your Rabbit Mate While Pregnant?
In short, no. It’s not worth the risk to either the mother or the bunnies. If you want to breed your rabbits, wait until the mother has given birth and weaned her litter before letting her mate again. If you’re still considering letting your pregnant rabbit mate, here are some things to consider.
Double Pregnancy Causes Stress on the Body
As previously discussed, a double pregnancy is very stressful on the mother’s body. This can lead to a variety of health problems, including death.
Stress Will Continue When Second Litter Doesn’t Survive
Even if the mother survives the pregnancy, the stress will continue if the second litter doesn’t survive. This can lead to health problems down the road.
Increased Chance of Uterine Damage
Another big concern is that a double pregnancy can lead to uterine damage. This is a severe problem and may even require surgery to fix.
How to Stop a Pregnant Rabbit from Mating
If you’re worried about your pregnant rabbit mating, you can do a few things to stop it from happening.
Keep Her Away From Males
First, keep her away from males. This is an obvious solution, but the best way to prevent a female rabbit from mating is to simply keep her away from the males. This means they shouldn’t be in the same cage. It’s also important their cages aren’t touching.
Get The Male Neutered
Another option (although not possible in every situation) is to get the male neutered. This will prevent him from being able to mate. However, it’s important to note that this won’t stop him from trying to mate. He may still try to mount the female, but he won’t be able to get her pregnant.
What Should I Do if It Already Happened?
If your female rabbit has already mated while pregnant, it’s important to speak with a vet immediately. They will be able to help you determine the best course of action. No matter what you decide to do, it’s important to keep a close eye on the mother and the bunnies. This is a high-risk situation and things can go wrong quickly.
Taking Responsibility For Your Rabbits
Mating while pregnant is a risky proposition and should be avoided if at all possible. If you’re still considering it, carefully weigh the risks and benefits. It’s also important to speak with a vet beforehand. They will be able to help you make the best decision for your rabbits.
