Baby Rabbit Diet Care

[Mimi&Momo]

Hello Everyone! I got two new baby rabbits named Mimi and Momo! They are 5 weeks old and I’m worried about their diet. When I got them, I did not know that rabbits should stay with their mother until 8 weeks of age. The lady I got them from kept assuring me it was fine and I already paid for them, so she wanted me to get them at 5 weeks old. They eat in such tiny amounts, I don’t know if they’re getting enough food. They seem happy, they binky all the time and flop over. I don’t give them but a teaspoon full of pellets and I put so much hay in their cage, but they only eat little of both. Is it because they’re so tiny? I mix alfalfa hay with timothy hay and give them oxbow pellets for young adults.

[Bam]

If they binky all the time, seem happy and flop over, it seems like they’re doing very well. If the babies were weaned by week 5, they will be fine without their mother since they have each other. 8 weeks is more ideal, but now that you have them, you have them.

Baby bunnies can be fed freely, meaning they themselves regulate how much food they eat. You just refill the pellet bowl when it’s been emptied. Hay and water should be available 24/7. This is what baby bunnies should be fed, unless they were used to getting vegs with their mum. If they have never had vegs, 12 weeks is a suitable age to introduce them.

You could start weighing them if you have kitchen scales. Then you note down their respective weights and make a weight curve that you can follow. That way you can keep close track of how they grow/increase in weight and you can see if one falls behind.

Do they look very skinny? Are their eyes clear?

[Wick & Fable]

I can’t provide any insight to your concerns because I’m not experienced with such young rabbits… but Mimi and Momo are ADORABLE. They’re practically twins in pattern!

I can say that there are times when Wick doesn’t eat all his pellets (small amount as well; he’s a dwarf), and he doesn’t eat it all in one sitting anymore. If you don’t see any health issues which may cause loss of appetite, I think they’re doing well and simply want to binky in lieu of eating at the time being (maybe because they know they have food security!)

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Mimi&Momo]

Thank you so much for responding! And I don’t have a kitchen scale, but I was thinking about getting a baby because I saw some affordable good ones on Amazon. Will that work? Their eyes are clear, and they don’t look like they’re malnourished or skinny. They are SUPER tiny though. Like each one is the size of my hand. I know they are 5 weeks of age for sure though because the lady who sold me them was in contact with me when they were born and sent me pictures when they were! Should I record their weight every week? Or more frequently?

[Mimi&Momo]

Thank you so much for the response! They are brother and sister xD I’m sure they don’t have a loss of appetite because I see them eating, just not as much as I think I’m normally used to. I used to have two older bunnies who sadly passed and they ate SO much. I think  Mimi and Momo are just so young that’s why, but I wanted to just ask around. They’re definitely binkying and running around ALL the though! I will definitely just make sure they have food 24/7. If I see a change in their behavior I’ll definitely take them to the vet! 

[Mimi&Momo]

I’m very new to BinkyBunny so I don’t know if the replies actually went to you both. If not, I really do appreciate the response. Bam, I don’t have a kitchen scale, but I heard a baby scale will work! I will try that. And they don’t look skinny, and their eyes are clear. It’s just that I think because they’re so small and young they don’t eat like my old bunnies did. The bunnies I had before, they were older so they ate SOO much lol. I just wanted to make sure. And Wick! They are definitely brother and sister so it’s adorable how they have the same pattern. They even have the same pattern on their backs! They definitely don’t have loss of appetite because if I hand feed them, they’ll eat it. I’m definitely going to start weighing them to make sure they’re gaining weight in a healthy manner since they are so young! Thank you!

[Vienna Blue in France]

Hi and welcome. They are very cute indeed! Stay around and let us know how you get on
As they’re so young you may have to get them sexed again…..sometimes a Christine becomes a Christopher.. or vice versa… lol

[Mimi&Momo]

Thank you so much for the responses! Bam, I’m sorry, I don’t have a kitchen scale, but I’m going to get a baby scale. I heard that’s ok! How often should I weigh them? I’m thinking once a week! Their eyes are super clear too. They just don’t eat as much as I’m used to seeing my previous bunnies eat. My previous bunnies were a lot older when I had them, before they passed. Wick, thank you so much They are brother and sister haha! They don’t have a loss of appetite I don’t think because they eat when I hand feed them, I just think they don’t eat as much as I’m used to seeing bunnies eat haha Because they are a lot younger. And Vienna! Thank you so much! I will definitely let everyone know how it goes! I’m pretty sure they are boy and girl because it’ts a very clear slit and very clear hole, but I am definitely going to the vet again in 3 weeks to make sure they are ok and still the same gender

[Author]

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