Can you keep a cottontail baby bunny?

Wild baby rabbits don’t do well in captivity. Not only do their natural survival instincts prevent them from being a suitable pet, but they spread dangerous diseases. Most bunnies become stressed and depressed living in small hutches and cages. Their diet is also not as varied when living in captivity than the wild.

How can you tell how old a cottontail rabbit is?

Wild rabbits are considered adults at 6 weeks of age, although they are not sexually mature and are not able to reproduce until 8 weeks. When they are fully grown, cottontail rabbits are about 12 to 20 inches long. They may not reach their full size until they are 10 to 12 weeks old.

What do cottontail baby bunnies eat?

The House Rabbit Society recommends feeding pet cottontail rabbits a combination of pellets, hay and fresh vegetables. The young cottontail can be weaned off of pellets as it ages. As for vegetables, a combination of dark leafy vegetables, root vegetables and those of varying colors are best.

Can a cottontail be a pet?

Unfortunately, cottontail rabbits are not the right candidates for a lavish pet lifestyle. These beautiful animals have lived in the wild for eons, and that is where they should continue to stay. Keeping a cottontail might sound appealing, but they won’t do well in captivity.

What do you feed a 3 week old cottontail?

baby food applesauce per baby in low dish in box with morning feedings. Baby food applesauce does not contain added sugar like ordinary adult applesauce. Eyes open 4 – days Add baby food squash to the diet. They can start with one tablespoon per bunny and build in amount.

What does a two week old cottontail rabbit look like?

Two Weeks Old: The fur should be starting to stand up and be less slick against the body. Eyes and ears are wide open. They should weigh 55-70+ grams and be 4″ or longer — he should fit in your palm but not fill your hand. Two and a Half Weeks Old: Cottontails should begin to look “fluffy” at this stage.

Can you keep a cottontail rabbit as a pet?

Wild cottontails cannot be kept as pets or education animals because of this; they are far too easily stressed to live a comfortable life in captivity,” Dr. Wilkinson warns. On the other hand, domesticated rabbits are often used to people, so may approach you – even if found outside.

Can I raise a cottontail rabbit?

Baby cottontail rabbits are the most difficult of all furry wildlife orphans to successfully raise or rehabilitate. Wild bunnies have the same basic needs and medical problems that domestic rabbits do. However, the conditions in which they survive and thrive is much narrower than that of domestic rabbits.

How can I tell how old a wild baby bunny is?

While there’s no surefire way to tell a wild bunny’s exact age, certain characteristics of wild rabbits can help you estimate how old they are. From the amount of fur they have to their size and whether or not their eyes are open, small signs can help you figure out a wild rabbit’s age.

What do wild baby bunnies drink?

Most rehabilitators feed a combination of KMR (Kitten Milk Replacer) and Multi-Milk, available from rehabilitator supply stores.

What do you feed a 3 week old Cottontail?

Do baby cottontails need water?

When the bunnies are four days old or older, put a small flat container lid of water and a small flat container lid of the formula in their hutch. Keep a vigilant eye on the rabbit babies to see how they are doing. They should begin to eat the formula and drink the water without help. Check the hutch for wetness.

Will a wild baby rabbit survive in captivity?

Very young wild baby bunnies with eyes closed and ears back rarely survive in captivity, even given the most expert human care; and so it is very important to determine whether they really need help. Try to assess whether the infants seem warm and healthy or cold, thin, and dehydrated.

Can you keep a wild cottontail rabbit?

Can wild baby bunnies survive without their mother?

Young rabbits disperse from the nest at 15-20 days old. By three weeks of age, they are on their own in the wild and no longer require a mother’s care. This means that young rabbits found on the ground may be completely healthy. Even though they look small, they are not orphans and do not need any human intervention.

What do baby wild rabbits drink?

Feed the baby rabbits a mixture of goats milk formula. Mother rabbits feed at dusk and dawn for only about five minutes, so baby rabbits (depending on size and age) may only need to be fed twice a day, however formula is not as nutrient rich as mother’s milk, so more frequent feedings are often necessary.