Rabbit Comfort

Rabbit Bed

Baby bunny, Information, Pet rabbit, Rabbit Comfort, Rabbit Habitat / By

Wild rabbits take shelter in warrens, dens, or holes in the ground. And unlike their indoor or domesticated counterparts, they fill their home with fur and warm natural materials. But do rabbits really need bedding? 

If you own a rabbit, it is a requirement to make one in a litter box. You can also make bedding in a cage, but that’s optional.

It is also essential to determine the type of bedding that will suit your rabbit. Maze rugs and seagrass can make excellent bedding for rabbits who love to chew their bedding while towels and mats can be used by non-chewers. 

Various types of rabbit beddings are available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The bedding materials are available for rabbits but there are still some factors you need to consider when choosing the appropriate rabbit bedding.

Beddings for Rabbits

A good cage and food are not the only things your rabbit requires. Bunnies must also feel warm, safe, and comfortable, just like humans.

Beddings help rabbits to live longer and have a healthy life. And these beddings must be non-toxic because rabbits frequently feed on them. You should also consider the cost and how often the bedding needs to be changed.

Some of the best materials you can use for your rabbit beddings include hay, shredded paper, and specialist litter.

Private Bedroom

Most rabbits normally sleep at night as well as in the afternoon or early evening. They are more likely to rest at dusk and dawn.

Just like humans, rabbits also require their own private area. Your rabbit will feel cozier if it has its own dedicated sleeping area.

Several factors may influence a rabbit’s sleep, this includes noise from their surroundings and disturbance in their hutches.

When building a bedroom for your rabbit, be sure to make it dark, warm, shielded, and enclosed. A clean cardboard box that was turned to its side can make an ideal sleeping area for a rabbit. In addition, you should also provide them with the appropriate bedding material inside their bedroom.

What to Consider when Choosing A Rabbit Bedding

Rabbits require great care and attention to reduce the risks of health difficulties.

The essential factors to remember when choosing rabbit bedding are their breed and potential health complexities. Typical health issues in rabbits include overgrown or misaligned teeth and ear mites.

Consider these several factors when choosing a bedding for your rabbit:

Odor Control

Rabbits can be very smelly and messy at some times. Therefore, choosing rabbit bedding that provides excellent odor control is essential.

Some rabbit beddings have a built-in odor control to eradicate bad odors.

Absorbent Materials

You should also consider the absorbency of the bedding material. Absorbent materials reduce the need for constantly changing. It also makes the rabbit hutch cleaner and more comfortable.

In addition, this bedding material is best for both play and sleep.

Safety

Rabbits sometimes spend most of their time lounging, sitting, and lying on their beddings, and some beddings are deemed to be toxic for rabbits.

It is crucial to choose rabbit bedding that is safe and harmless to your pet.

Dust-free

Choosing dust-free bedding for your rabbit can make it easier and quicker every time you change them.

Dust-free beddings also support the respiratory health of your rabbit.

Comfort

As said earlier, rabbits spend most of their time sleeping and lying on their bedding. Therefore, you have to make sure that the bedding you choose for your pet will make them comfortable and relaxed.

Feel the bedding with your hands first to find out if it is soft enough for your rabbit before giving it to them. You should also make sure that the bedding does not include any sharp or coarse objects that may harm your rabbit.

Environmentally Friendly

Use eco-friendly bedding, especially if you own multiple rabbits. Eco-friendly beddings are great for the environment and your rabbit as well.

Eco-friendly beddings are biodegradable which means that they do not have adverse effects on the environment and can also be turned into compost.

What Rabbits Like to Sleep On?

Rabbits love to sleep in very comfortable surroundings. There are some beddings alternatives that your rabbit will enjoy sleeping on, including:

Shredded Paper

This type of bedding is probably one of the simplest and cheapest to make.

Shredded paper is a great absorbent and provides outstanding odor control.

Feed standard, plain paper straight through a shredder, and then you can use the shreds as rabbit bedding. On the downside, this type of bedding can be a mess if it gets blown around.

Sand

This type of bedding is affordable and helps to support your rabbit’s paws.

Sand is very comfortable when used as a bedding material for bunnies. In addition, it can be reused and has low bacterial counts which limit the growth of pathogens.

Aspen

The significant benefits of this type of bedding are its softness and absorption. This rabbit bedding is best suited for young rabbits that pee frequently.

Aspen provides excellent thermal insulation and enhances the lying experience of rabbits. Also, aspen is perfect on the paws of bunnies.

This bedding material is excellent for people who consider odor control. However, it may cling to your pet rabbit and get dragged around your house.

Hay

Most rabbits will prefer to sleep on hay because of its softness and it is something they can play with. This type of bedding can be simply obtained from farms or backyards

Despite its popularity as a bedding material, hay also has its disadvantages. It can be sticky and messy, especially when it combines with rabbit waste and pee.

Hay is not the best bedding material for promoting the paw health of bunnies, either.

Rabbit Bedding Options

Several rabbit bedding options are available on the market. You can determine what suits best for your rabbit by knowing its breed and your living arrangement.

Good rabbit bedding can make your pet feel safe and comfortable.

For some instances, your pet does not like the bedding you have chosen for them. But instead of buying a new one, try to move the bed into a different location first.

Pets sometimes refuse their homes not because of their condition but because of their location.

Plush or Fabric Beds

These beds are soft, cuddly, and can be purchased in different sizes, shapes, and designs. Most pet stores offer this type of bedding, and you can find them most of the time in the cat/dog isles. They can be washed or sometimes feature a removable and washable cover. 

While some rabbits may like this type of bedding, plush materials are generally too soft, and your pet might only use it for peeing and not for napping. But if this is the case, try using the flat ones instead.

Towels, Blankets, or Rugs

A very cheap and washable alternative for beds is 100% cotton towels, rugs, or fleece blankets. They can provide a soft and cuddly spot without creating an unstable surface on which most rabbits can’t properly stand. 

Towels can be washed repeatedly at high temperatures and can also be replaced if needed without breaking the bank. Ikea’s Signe rugs have this characteristic. 

Fleece fabric or blankets are also a great option because they don’t fray and can be easily cut to your desired size. Look for anti-pill fleece, as it will definitely last longer without pilling.

Wooden Beds

By now, we’ve already seen adorable photos of rabbits resting in doll beds. And you can also buy this type of bedding at Ikea.

If you own an old American Doll or Melissa & Doug bed, it’ll surely do the trick. Most of these materials are not soft enough to be confused for litter boxes, so that’s a definite plus!

Baskets

If your rabbit doesn’t have a chewing and peeing habit on your furniture, then a simple basket can be a great option.

Baskets are sometimes made of willow or wicker, seagrass, or even plastic ones. Some come in an oval shape and some have a lid that can be a pathway for your pet. Regardless, it is a good idea to go with one best suited for pets. 

Most pet furniture is not coated with a water-based finish. Try placing a towel or fleece blanket around the basket to provide extra comfort.

Grass Mats/Beds

Some pet stores sell this type of material. 

Most rabbit owners use Grass mats because they are somewhat soft, edible, and rabbits love them! This type of material is not just for sleeping, but to tear apart slowly in between naps as well. Rabbits will surely love this bedding until his single days are over.

Hammocks

While neither of your pet rabbits would ever be willing to jump onto a moving surface, some rabbits will surely enjoy the amenities of a hammock. 

You can find different makes out there, but most pet owners like the one that looks like a small side table with a hammock underneath. In that way, your pet rabbit can sit on top of the frame, too! 

The hammock itself can easily be stitched by hand or bought from various sellers on Etsy. Most hammocks utilize a simple metal hook on each end to fasten the frame securely. 

Pee Pads

If your pet rabbit loves to sleep behind the couch, try placing a washable pee pad on the floor for added protection. Pee pads can protect your carpet and can be used as a comfortable sleeping spot as well.

Alternative Ideas

You can find several unique rabbit beds on Etsy, and our favorite would probably be the Ugli Donut by The Hare Apparent.

It is comfortable, seems to meet a rabbit’s needs, and solves the pee problem. Plus, some of the proceeds go to a rabbit shelter! They also have fun beds for single or disabled rabbits that can be shipped all through the US.

Etsy also sells an up-cycled jean jacket, various pillows, blankets, and hammocks, as well as the MiniBun, which can also be used for small dogs and cats.

Best Bedding for Baby Rabbits

Beddings for young rabbits are crucial to their overall health. Rabbits younger than six months old only have their babyfurs and are required to be kept warm.

Apply comfortable bedding for baby rabbits until they reach their maturity when they can manage their own body temperatures. The body temperature of a baby rabbit should not drop below 101 degrees Fahrenheit to give them the comfort they need and make them sleep better.

The materials used for bedding for baby rabbits should be absorbent. Baby rabbits pee most of the time because they still haven’t figured out how to control their bladders.

Training baby rabbits to pee outside their hutches is very challenging due to their short attention spans. Therefore, looking for bedding that is absorbent and affordable is crucial.

Best Beddings for Adult Rabbits

Healthy adult rabbits do not have many necessities for their beddings.

They can maintain their own body temperatures and can easily learn how to be comfortable in different surroundings.

Still, choose comfortable and reliable beddings for your adult rabbits. Also, consider the characters of your adult rabbits when preferring their beddings. 

Best Bedding for Senior Rabbits

Senior rabbits may spend a lot of their time in bed. They are frequently not interested in plays and exercises.

Comfort should be your number one priority when looking for beddings for senior rabbits. They are often sickly, which is why they need comfortable beddings.

Senior rabbits are also more prone to joint difficulties than younger bunnies. Therefore, their beddings must be as smooth and soft as possible.

Older rabbits have weak immune systems and can be adversely afflicted when they become sick. So be sure to make their beddings non-toxic, warm, and free of irritants.

Best Bed and Hideaways for Rabbits

Your furry friend will feel safe when they have their own comfortable and cozy shelter to hide away and sleep in. 

Check these great ranges of beds and hideaways!

Cool Club Small Animal Square Bed Grey Large

This summer in style, the Cool Club Range is exclusive to Pets at Home. This wonderful range of bold and colorful holiday-themed products is wonderfully colorful and vibrant, excellent for attaching splashes of color to your pet’s accessories.

Small pets adore feeling warm and cozy when resting and snoozing, and the Cool Club Small Animal Bed is an excellent spot for them.

A comfy accessory to your pet’s house, this large bed is the ideal place for your pet to nestle up and sleep life’s troubles away. To get the best out of your pet, they encourage you to improve their small homes with toys and accessories to keep them amused

JW Pet Walk-Up Small Animal Barn

This cute walk-up small animal barn gives your furry friend a place to provide privacy and a sense of security. It also offers opportunities for climbing fun. It also comes with an easy-to-clean translucent plastic which also allows you to see the inside, and a flat top for additional play space.

Ferplast Maxi Rabbit and Guinea Pig Hideaway

This product is not just for rabbits, but for guinea pigs as well.

For 50 years, Ferplast has been producing innovative pet accessories, with precise attention to quality and design to ensure that all products are enjoyed by owner and pet alike.

A hideaway is an excellent place for your rabbit or guinea pig to get a little tranquillity from the hustle and bustle of their busy daily routines.

The Maxi Rabbit hide is constructed from wood, which comes from responsibly maintained forests.

This product is easy to assemble and arrives in flat packaging.

Woodlands Seagrass Large Munchable Mattress

The Woodlands Seagrass Large Munchable Mattress is ideal not just for rabbits, but for guinea pigs, rats, chinchillas, and degus as well.

Their Large Munchable Mattress has been intricately constructed to support comfort, warmth, and security, as well as a great place to play.

Made up of natural fibers, this mattress is excellent for nibbling on, helping to keep your small animal’s teeth in a perfect length.

Pets at Home Small Animal Spotty Hoody Bed

Small animals love to play, and this product can enable your pet to enjoy an enriched playtime activity. At the end of a busy day, give your pet a reliable hideaway to allow them to feel safe and cozy.

Small animals love to take their time by resting and snoozing. A soft plump bed is just what they require, and their Hoody Bed will surely fit the bill.

The product features a machine washable cover to keep your pet’s home clean and fresh. It also boasts a warm and cozy surrounding perfect for a good night’s sleep. It also offers your pet a comfortable place to rest to create a safe and secure environment.

Woodlands Seagrass Basket

The Woodlands Seagrass Basket is not just perfect for rabbits, but for guinea pigs, rats, chinchillas, and degus, too.

The Seagrass Basket has been constructed to keep your small animal entertained.

Made from seagrass, it is an excellent product to explore inside and out.

Rabbits Eating Their Bedding

Rabbits can eat almost anything, including their beddings. They usually chew objects for play and for grinding their teeth down.

It is normal to notice rabbits nibble on their beds occasionally. However, choose the best bedding material if your rabbits are habitual chewers.

Always consider the fact that rabbits may chew their bedding. Therefore, prefer bedding that is not likely to obstruct the intestines of your bunny once eaten. Also, avoid rabbit beddings that may potentially pack in their stomach, and look for non-toxic bedding material.

You can also provide your pet rabbit with chew toys to turn their attention away from eating their beddings. And give them extra hay to chew on.

What You Shouldn’t Use as Rabbit Bedding?

Some materials are hazardous or toxic and should not be employed as rabbit beddings.

These materials are not recommended as rabbit bedding:

Cat Litter

Although this can produce soft and comfortable bedding for your pet rabbit, it is not the safest alternative for rabbits. Bunnies may die if they nibble and swallow cat litter.

Cat litter is also dusty and may create allergic effects in rabbits and humans as well (a major consideration if you have an asthmatic family member).

Straw

Some people utilize this bedding material as an alternative to hay. Straw is an irritant that can also discolor and stain the fur of your rabbits.

This bedding material can also be expensive because it demands a significant amount to make a standard bed. Also, straw is lightweight and can be easily blown around the house.

Sawdust

Some animals prefer to sleep on sawdust due to its softness. However, sawdust can aggravate the rabbits’ eyes and noses.

Although sawdust is receptive and non-palatable, it still needs to be changed frequently. Sawdust is also very flammable and not advised for use in hot climates.

Cardboard

This material makes great bedding for several types of animals. However, bunnies love to chew on cardboard, which can be a choking risk.

Cardboards can attract worms, which may place the overall health of your bunny in peril and may alter the neatness of its hutch.

Wood Shavings

Although aspen can be a great bedding material for rabbits, pine and cedarwood shavings do not.

They can produce harmful effects on the liver and respiratory problems to your bunny.

It is also not recommended to apply generic wood shavings as bedding. It is hard to tell the source of generic wood shaving and whether it is safe for your pet rabbit.

Newspaper

Rabbits love to eat paper and ink-printed newspapers, which could be very harmful to the digestive system of your pet rabbits.

Final Thoughts

Your pet rabbit is a great addition to your family. As such, you may naturally want to make your pet rabbit feel at home.

Spoil your cuddle buddy while ensuring his environment is safe and healthy with beddings that are easy on the wallet, pet-friendly, and eco-friendly.

Want your rabbit to be happy and healthy?

How to raise happy & healthy rabbits!
How to raise happy & healthy rabbits!

Click here to order the ebook How to raise healthy & happy rabbits!

Need other things for your rabbit?
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bonding two female rabbits

Bonding two female rabbits: Is same-gender bonding possible?

Leave a Comment / Bonding Rabbits, Information, Pet rabbit, Rabbit Behavior, Rabbit Comfort / By

Bonding two female rabbits is not an impossible task if the rabbit guardian does it the correct way.

Having two female rabbits can cause a deadly fight in the scene if proper measures are not taken like described in this post.

In this post, I wrote about how to bond two female rabbits without complications and allow them to live in harmony.

Can two female rabbits together?

Yes, two female rabbits can live together. It is necessary to bond the two female rabbits first. If a new female rabbit is introduced to your female pet rabbit abruptly, then you might contribute in a deadly fight.

Rabbits are very territorial animals. Regardless of gender, rabbits can be very territorial, and a newcomer in their territory will not be accepted.

Thus if two female rabbits bond together, only then can they live together.

But bonding female rabbits come with some other complications. Several measures must be taken before trying to bond female rabbits, such as spaying the rabbits.

I have seen several house rabbits living and playing together. And surprisingly, I have seen pairs that are both females, and they are chasing and grooming each other.

Is spaying essential before bonding female rabbits?

Regardless of gender, it is best to desex rabbits before bonding them with each other.

Spaying/neutering a rabbit will aid in a healthy life for rabbits. Desexing a rabbit contributes to a longer lifespan in house rabbits. Likewise, after a few weeks from desexing, as the hormone will slowly wear off from their body, the rabbits will become less aggressive.

It is tough to bond unneutered/unspayed rabbits because the hormones in their body will keep them aggressive towards the other.

And female rabbits are even more territorial than male rabbits. Therefore if your female rabbits are unspayed, indeed, the older rabbit will not tolerate a new rabbit in her territory.

If the older female house rabbit is more prominent in size and shape, your new rabbit will suffer as soon as you bring them together.

You might wonder what if only one rabbit is spayed and not the other?

I know spaying a rabbit can be costly in some places as they can’t be treated with ordinary veterinarians. But the best practice is to spay both rabbits before the introduction process begins.

I cannot positively say the bonding process will work if one of the female rabbits is unspayed.

How to bond two female rabbits?

Assuming you own a pet rabbit that is a female. Your cute pet does not have any bunny friend. So, you want to present her with a new bunny friend.

There are rabbit owners that cannot spend adequate time with their pet rabbits, which results in a lonely rabbit.

I have seen rabbit owners that have one rabbit initially, and they enjoy the rabbit’s companion.

Similarly, the house rabbit enjoys the companion of their guardian.

Rabbits are not lonely at all if the rabbit guardian spends adequate time with the pet rabbit.

Nevertheless, in some cases, the rabbit guardians may get busy with work and can’t manage enough time to play with the rabbit.

That may cause loneliness in rabbits, and the rabbits will suffer.

Hence many rabbit guardians, once they realize they are spending sufficient time with their pet rabbit, buy a new rabbit.

However, trying to bond a male rabbit and a female rabbit is an excellent idea.

Because the process will be a lot easier, unlike bonding rabbits of the same sex. The situation will be a lot worse if the rabbits are not desexed.

However, the topic of this article is about bonding two female rabbits, and I will not discuss anything that is not related to the issue here.

What are the steps for bonding two female rabbits?

Let’s think of it like this:

You already own a female rabbit and raise it in a free-range environment.

A free-range environment such as the pet rabbit has access to most rooms in your house and has a cage where she goes to relax only.

Rabbits growing up in such conditions consider most of the house as her territory.

Although your rabbit is litter trained, occasionally, she will poop here and there within the house to mark her territory.

I am using this example because bonding such a female rabbit will be the most complicated of all.

Why is that?

Because most of your house is the rabbits running space and she considers it as her territory.

If a rabbit stays most of his/her life inside a hutch, then only the hutch will be the rabbit’s territory.

Thus trying to bond a free-range female rabbit will be considerably hard because a new member in her territory will not be taken lightly.

On the contrary, it will be difficult for you to find a neutral territory to introduce the older rabbit with the new one.

STEP 1

The first thing to do is when you get your new female rabbit, you must visit a vet to spay her and ensure her longer lifespan.

Likewise, if the older rabbit in your house is unspayed, you must take her to a vet to do the same task.

Until today if you have believed your female pet rabbit behaves nicely then, you might be wrong. As your pet rabbit had no competitor in her territory, and she did not feel any threat. Therefore she had no one to fight.

Hence, spaying your older rabbit is crucial because if she is unspayed and meets a younger female rabbit, she will bring down wrath on the newcomer.

So step 1 is ensuring the female rabbits are desexed, and at least a couple of weeks have passed after the desexing.

STEP 2

Now the introduction process must start assuming both female rabbits are spayed.

At this stage, what you must do is find a place where the older rabbit never goes.

Consider that location as neutral territory.

If the older rabbit is in neutral territory, then she has no reason being territorial.

You must do that so that both the female rabbits at this stage will not consider the other one as a threat.

In this neutral territory, you must set an x pen. The simplest way to create an x pen is by using a DIY rabbit playpen. Use the DIY rabbit playpen to create two separate enclosures.

And keep the two female rabbits in two separate enclosures.

Set the enclosures at least several inches apart.

Do not set the cages so far that the rabbit cannot communicate and not so close that they can grab each other to fight.

STEP 3

Give these female rabbits new litter boxes with fresh hay. Do not give them any litter box that has the smell of older rabbits.

New litter boxes will prevent the older rabbit from acting territorial.

Now there is a trick you can do.

You can interchange the litter boxes every two days during the bonding process.

I mean, you can take the litter box from the older rabbits cage and shift it to the newcomer’s cage.

Similarly, take the newcomer’s litter box and place it in the older rabbits cage.

That way, they both will get used to the smell of each other. And being in neutral territory, they will not count each other as a threat.

STEP 4

Now it is your turn to observe the rabbits. You have the rabbits in the cage doesn’t mean you are done with the process.

You have to keep your eyes on the rabbits.

Do not allow the rabbits to stay on the opposite side of the cages. If they are sitting on the furthest corner from each other, then it means they don’t like each other’s companion.

It is a sign for the female rabbits that they can’t stand each other.

Consequently, if you notice such behavior, bring the rabbits close to each other inside the cage.

Do so for at least a week. By this time, observe their behavior.

You can at least assume now that the rabbits are used to each other’s smell.

Yet do not judge that they will bond with each other unless you see them inside one cage.

STEP 5

Now, the next step is to let the rabbits outside of the cage together. Do this in the neutral territory, and keep eyes on them. You can let them out together for hours in the beginning.

You must slowly increase the time they spend together.

First, let them spend 15 minutes together and observe their behavior during the period.

See if they are aggressive or they are staying far from each other.

If they start to fight with each other, immediately stop them and place them back into the individual enclosure.

At this stage, if a female rabbit is yet acting territorial, highly likely, it will be the older one. So keep an eye on the older one so that she behaves appropriately with the newcomer.

The older rabbit may mount the younger rabbit to prove her dominance and claim her territory. She might spray urine and poop around this unclaimed territory.

If she does not, then you must place them back into their x pen and go back to STEP 4 again.

Allow the rabbits to stay close to each other. Compel them to get used to with each other’s smell by frequently shifting their litter boxes.

Also, pet them frequently one after another.

That way, the rabbits will get used to the smell of the other female rabbit’s smell from your hand.

They need to be comfortable with each other. 

If you fail at step 5, do not give up yet. Bonding same-sex rabbits are intricate work.

If you have chosen to complicate things by bringing two female rabbits home, then you have to take the hassles.

STEP 6

Step five might take you back to step 4. In case you pass level 5, now you may allow the rabbits out of the cage frequently.

Allow the female rabbits to play with each other. And slowly increase the time they spend with each other.

Always be observant of their behavior. You are the guardian, and if you notice anything unusual, take them back to their cages.

But give them more time to play together gradually. Suppose start by 15 minutes everyday, and progressively raise to 30-40 minutes and 1 hour.

The whole process may sound very complicated before you work on it.

But once you see your female rabbits living with each other in harmony, you will realize the time commitment has paid off.

Conclusion.

Bonding two female rabbits is not impossible, but the task is intricate.

If you follow the steps, indeed, you can bond two female rabbits.

Nevertheless, bonding rabbits require patience and time of the rabbit guardian.

Usually, bonding rabbits may take only two weeks. All the steps I described above can be completed within two weeks.

However, trying to bond two female rabbits may take longer than usual. It might take up to six months to get your female rabbits to like each other.

Think of it like this:

If a human meets another human, it may take a while for person A to befriend person B.

They will need some time to become friends at first. Then after a few more dates, they will become close to each other.

And casually, they will create a bond, and person A will become friends forever with person B.

The same is applicable for bonding rabbits, regardless of gender.

Although in most cases, two female rabbits will get used to each other within a month or two, in more complicated cases, it will take up to six months.

Learn how to raise your rabbit!

Read it now!

Want your rabbit to be happy and healthy?

How to raise happy & healthy rabbits!
How to raise happy & healthy rabbits!

Click here to order the ebook How to raise healthy & happy rabbits!

Need other things for your rabbit?
Click on the links below for:
Rabbit food
Rabbit Toys
Rabbit cages and houses
Rabbit health and hygiene

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what to do if you find wild baby rabbits

What to do if you find wild baby rabbits?

Leave a Comment / Information, Rabbit Comfort / By

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Your kindness can spell their demise.

Your ill awareness of what to feed wild baby rabbits can result in a painful death for wild bunnies.

Assuming you have come across some wild rabbits and you want to feed them.

Reading this article is crucial before you treat those wild bunnies on your lawn.

See, I know you may believe the wild baby rabbits out there on your patio don’t have their mother, but I will explain in this article why you are probably wrong.

I will give you an idea of why you might be mistaken about the wild baby rabbits out there and how it is not a good idea to take care of wild baby rabbits.

How to verify if the rabbit is without a mother?

The foremost thing to notice is whether the rabbits are healthy or not. If it seems the baby rabbits are healthy, the best thing you can do is stay away from their nest.

Understand this:

  • Rabbit mothers only feed their newborns twice a day.

It doesn’t matter what you deem:

  • The rabbit mother will always take care of their newborns.

And like all kinds of rabbits, domestic and wild ones, all rabbits are most active during dawn and dusk.

Therefore any rabbit mother feeds their child only during these hours.

So it is highly likely you will not be there to see when the wild rabbit’s mother is back in the nest.

Every dawn and dusk, the wild baby rabbits mother will come back to the nest to nurse her infants.

Unless you are awake around that time to check on the nest, whether the mother is back or not, you will probably never see the mother.

However, the parent is taking care of the baby wild rabbits.

The entire time the mum of the baby rabbits remains away from the nest because rabbits are prey animals. Hence coming back to the rabbit nest more often may attract predators.

That will make the baby rabbits more vulnerable to attacks.

Yet if you stumble upon a rabbit nest and think you are trying to help is a foolish concept.

If you are going close to the rabbit nest every time you believe you are taking care of them, you are probably doing the opposite.

In reality, you are doing what the mother of the wild baby rabbit is trying to prevent; You are just attracting wild predators to the nest, making the baby bunnies more vulnerable.

In the worst-case scenario, you might even startle the mother of the baby rabbits, and she might be scared to come near the nest.

Because wild rabbits are wild mammals, it is best to leave them be. Trying to take care of wild creatures is not the best idea to fall, and that is a harsh reality.

If you notice that the wild baby rabbits are healthy and not cold, it means the mother is always coming back to the nest to feed them.

On the contrary, the rabbit milk is exceptionally nutritious, and the mother only has fed the baby rabbits not more than five minutes a day.

Now that’s why it isn’t straightforward to see the wild baby rabbits mother around.

Not only because her milk is nutritious as well as she does this for the baby rabbits safety and keep the predators away.

So it is very likely you don’t see the baby wild rabbits mother, yet she is going to feed them every dawn and dusk.

However, how to be sure that the baby rabbits are orphans?

One beautiful morning you found a rabbits nest near your house or on your lawn.

All you must do is check on the baby rabbits, whether they are cold or not. If they’re chilled, it is best to call your area rabbit rehabilitator.

They might not be the right one for the wild baby rabbits, but they can certainly take care of them better than you.

What if the rabbits are not cold and look healthy?

You can check on the baby rabbits’ tummy if it is not sunken, it means the rabbit is well fed.

If a rabbit is not well fed, his/her tummy will not be round. In that case, you may assume the rabbit is orphaned.

However, you cannot be sure.

Furthermore, if you want to be sure it is wise to come back in hours and check back on them, whether their tummy is round and full.

Do not try to move the nest or try to take care of the wild baby rabbits by carrying home. Do not do that at any means.

Because what may happen is once the wild rabbit’s mother comes back later looking for the baby rabbits, she will be unable to locate them.

Similarly, if you bring wild baby rabbits home assuming you can take care of them, you are simply misunderstanding the circumstances.

Doing so means you are only risking the life of the wild baby rabbits.

As I have mentioned earlier, the brightest thing you can do is check back on the baby rabbits within the next hours.

In case after hours, you see the baby rabbits are not looking healthy; you may try to feed them. But it is best to contact someone who knows how to supervise baby rabbits.

What to feed baby rabbits without a mother?

I suppose you have really read the situation and figured out the baby rabbits are orphaned, so you are willing to take care of them.

Where to begin?

You can start by feeding them milk. But what you feed wild baby rabbits will depend on how old they are.

A wild baby rabbit’s diet is similar to any rabbit. If you do not have a domestic rabbit, you may not understand their food.

Any rabbit’s digestive system is very delicate, and if they ingest anything out of their natural menu, that can cause stress in their stomach, as well as diarrhea.

Rabbits demand hay and grass. Hay and grass will keep a rabbits diet filled with fiber and a happy tummy.

Nevertheless, if you try to feed a young baby rabbits hay and grass, it is going to kill them.

Baby rabbits require milk. Feed them milk depending on their size and age.

And what kind of milk and the proportion milk for a baby rabbit’s diet is well written in this article here >>> Orphaned bunnies diet.

A few things you must remember when taking care of orphaned wild rabbits, which is not to overfeed them.

Rabbits are delicate animals overfeeding them, and your kindness towards them may injure them.

Do you remember what I told you earlier?

You were not supposed to play with wild baby rabbits in the first place.

Rabbits usually can start feeding on hay and grass once they are three to four weeks old.

Baby rabbits, when they are born, they are born with no fur. They usually grow a full fur coat within a week.

A rabbit will open their eyes in 10 days. During this period, it is best for rabbits only to have milk.

By the time the rabbits are three to four weeks old, they do not depend on nursing anymore.

Until four to five weeks, the baby rabbits stay with their family, and then they are ready to go out in the world to explore.

Will baby rabbits return to the nest?

Returning to the nest of baby rabbits depends on the person who found the baby rabbits.

Baby rabbits are not supposed to leave their nest until they are five weeks old and ready to explore the world.

Before that, it is normal for baby rabbits to stay in their nest, and their mother will take care of them.

That is why I mentioned many times not to engage with wild baby rabbits because they are taken care of by their mother.

Nevertheless, if you remove them from their nest, they cannot return to their nest until unless you restore them.

And their mother will be helpless to find her babies and cannot feed the wild baby rabbits.

The wild baby rabbits need their mother’s care and love, not your kindness.

And transferring a wild baby rabbit will make it more vulnerable to predators.

Even if you bring a wild baby rabbit home with a cat, it is advisable to keep the cat away from the baby rabbit.

The cat has a predator characteristic, and cats like to play with anything they fancy and find smaller than them.

So bringing wild baby rabbits home to a place with a cat is very dangerous.

The cat may kill the baby rabbit.

And the mother of the wild baby rabbits will never see the children and wonder what has happened. So I suggest again not to touch wild baby rabbits and move their nest.

Let them be where they are as they are. And always believe the rabbit mother and nature is taking care of them.

Can baby rabbits drink cow milk?

It is common for people to ask such strange questions. And it means how endangered rabbits are today if they are in the wrong supervisor’s care.

Yet I have to answer this question for the safety of baby rabbits out there.

The truth is that rabbits cannot drink cow’s milk. Cow’s milk is not suitable for any small animals like rabbits, ferrets, and guinea pigs.

Cow’s milk has more large molecules, which will result in an upset stomach for baby rabbits, and that may even lead to their demise.

So preventing rabbits from their early painful demise, we must not give them cow’s milk.

Want your rabbit to be happy and healthy?

Need things for your rabbit?
Click on the links below for:

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Rabbit Toys
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do rabbits need to live in pairs

Do rabbits need to live in pairs?

Leave a Comment / Bonding Rabbits, Information, Rabbit Behavior, Rabbit Comfort / By

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Before you decide to buy a rabbit and bring home to raise it as a pet, let us clear all the confusion first.

Do rabbits need to live in pairs?

The answer is YES. And it depends on the rabbit guardian too whether he/she can keep a single rabbit or not.

This post will ensure that you can raise pet rabbits well and understand why is it important for rabbits to have a companion. In this article, I will explain why should a rabbit owner get a second rabbit if they only have one pet rabbit. Because bunnies can get lonely on their own.

Yet a rabbit guardian can prevent their single bunnies from getting lonely by simply using the techniques I have provided in this article.

Do rabbits need to live in pairs?

YES, it is BEST to have a couple of pet rabbits. On the contrary, keeping a single rabbit is not a problem in a household.

But a rabbit guardian not bonding with the rabbit will create problems.

I have mentioned in my other articles many times that rabbits are very friendly and social animals. If you do not give your rabbit a friend. your rabbit will be lonely.

Regardless of who the friend is. You as a guardian can be your rabbit’s friend. A house rabbit spending time all by itself will be very bored in time. A bored rabbit will be very stressed in no time.

Stress will develop into loneliness. As result loneliness will aid in to deteriorate the lifespan of your domestic rabbits.

In order to have your bunny friend with you for a long time, a rabbit owner must buy a pair of rabbits. If you are hesitant that you cannot spend enough time with your single bunny friend, then you must not think of buying a single rabbit.

Keeping a single rabbit isn’t good for the rabbit’s health. You should buy a pair of rabbits or you decide that you will have plenty of time to bond with the house rabbit that you plan to keep single.

Do bunnies get lonely on their own?

Bunnies get very lonely on their own which most rabbit owners cannot understand. In order to understand your single rabbit is very lonely, you have to recognize the lonely rabbit behavior.

Unless you recognize the lonely rabbit behavior it will be difficult on your side to comprehend whether you should bring a second rabbit home or not.

Should I get a second rabbit?

Often a single rabbit owner is confused about getting a second rabbit because they think it is going to more expensive.

Which is not true in real life. Getting a second rabbit and raising them together is not as expensive as it seems.

Getting a second rabbit is less costly on your side if you think in the long run. Keeping a single rabbit can cause stress in your current pet rabbit.

A lonely single rabbit is more prone to getting sick, and you may have to visit the rabbit vet more often which is more expensive.

If you do not want to visit a vet more often and do not have plenty of time to spend with your bunny, it is best to bring another bunny companion for your older rabbit pet.

Which pairing of rabbits is best?

Pairing a male rabbit and a female rabbit is the best match. Therefore if you intend to buy new rabbits or simply bring home a second rabbit do bring a rabbit of the opposite gender.

Nevertheless, it is not impossible to pair a rabbit from the same gender. Two male rabbits or two female rabbits can easily go along with each other.

Rabbits from the same gender can be a great pair too.

In case you have decided to buy a male rabbit and a female rabbit, make sure they both are neutered and spayed.

Neutering and spaying ensure longer domestic rabbit lifespan, as well as the rabbits, will be less territorial.

It is equally important for pet rabbits that are paired with the same gender to be neutered and spayed. the reasoning for that is an unneutered/unspayed pair rabbit may get into a fight.

It will be difficult for you to pair them and create bonding among them. Due to the fact, unneutered and unspayed rabbits are extremely territorial.

What to do if you can’t afford a second rabbit?

In case you cannot afford a second rabbit at all, it is OK to have a single pet rabbit.

Keeping a single pet rabbit requires your attention. As the pet rabbit is alone and does not have a friend to bond with.

So in such scenario the rabbit owner which is you have to manage time to bond and play with your rabbit more often.

You have to learn to play with them and pet your rabbits. Toss some bunny toys.

Give them enough time to realize it is safe to be around with you and bond with them.

Though doing all the mentioned above, you have one downside of keeping a single rabbit. In case you are willing to take a vacation.

Maybe you intend to go out for the whole weekend. Your single rabbit is going to be very lonely and bored. Yet there is a way you can leave your rabbit alone for the weekend with proper precautions.

Are rabbits Ok living alone?

NO, rabbits are not OK at all living alone. A rabbit needs a companion to stay lively.

A lonely rabbit is stressed and more prone to getting sick.

You cannot keep a single rabbit as a pet without bonding with him. But one interesting fact about pet rabbit is that you can raise pet rabbits together with other pets like cats and dogs.

So if you already have a cat in your house and you have decided to buy a single domestic rabbit, it is not a problem at all.

Rabbit can bond with other pets like cats and dogs but with proper introduction and following the proper bonding stages.

Similarly, rabbits can have a friendship with a dog and they can play with each other, live with each other without getting bored.

But as rabbits are delicate small pets, you have to introduce a dog and a rabbit very carefully. A dog may hurt a rabbit without intention.

So as rabbits are not OK living alone, you must find a companion for your rabbits.

A companion for your rabbit can be another rabbit of the same gender or opposite gender.

Your old pet cat and dog can become friends with your rabbit.

Finally, if you really want to have a single rabbit, ensure that you have adequate time to play with your rabbits daily.

Regardless of a paired rabbit or a single rabbit always give your rabbits some bunny toys.

Want your rabbit to be happy and healthy?

Need other things for your rabbit?
Click on the links below for:
Rabbit food
Rabbit Toys
Rabbit cages and houses
Rabbit health and hygiene

Read more

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lonely rabbit behavior

Lonely rabbit behavior

12 Comments / Bonding Rabbits, Information, Rabbit Behavior, Rabbit Comfort, Rabbit in distress / By

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Realize all the lonely rabbit behavior first to better understand whether your new pet rabbit is lonely or simply stressed due to some unusual changes in its environment.

Knowing your rabbit’s lonely behavior will aid you to prevent your house rabbits from further feelings of depression.

I have described in this article several actions of rabbits which determines the rabbit is lonely. Unless you understand that your rabbit is lonely you can’t prevent your rabbits from getting stressed or sick.

A bunny has to be lively in order to stay healthy.

Below is an audio file which you can listen to if you do not want to read the full article.

Lonely rabbit behavior: Is my rabbit lonely?

In order to know if your rabbit is lonely or not you have to pay attention to your rabbit’s behavior.

A lonely rabbit may show signs of aggression towards other rabbits or its guardian. Similarly, a lonely rabbit will overeat and pull at its own fur.

A rabbit will act in different ways when they are lonely:

  1. A lonely rabbit will seek your attention and nudge at you;
  2. It may simply refuse to interact and bond with you. A lonely rabbit will not show any interest when you pet him/her or try to play with your rabbit.
  3. A lonely rabbit will show aggression towards other rabbits;
  4. A lonely rabbit will become destructive. They will bite furniture and rip off carpets with their tooth.
  5. A rabbit that is eating more than usual and pulling on its own far is also a lonely rabbit.

How to stop your pet rabbits from being lonely?

To stop your rabbits from being lonely or depressed, you can do any one of these:

  1. Introduce a rabbit of the opposite gender to your current pet rabbit. Allow time for them to become friends and follow the rabbit bonding stages for proper rabbit introduction.
  2. OR if you are not willing to bring home another pet rabbit, then make sure you spend plenty of time with your current pet rabbit.

Two above mentioned are the only ways to stop your pet rabbits from being lonely.

As well as you can bond a rabbit with other pets like cats and dogs. In order to bond a rabbit with a cat, you will have to be patient and follow the steps I have discussed here >>> Do cats and rabbits live together?

In case you have a dog as a pet and want your new rabbits to live happily with your dogs >>> Read HERE.

Human interaction to prevent rabbit depression.

A rabbit guardian must prevent their rabbit from getting depressed at any cost.

What shall you do if you do not have any other pet to bond with your bunny?

Do you have plenty of time to spend with your rabbits? If you have enough time to bond with your rabbit and be the best companion of your rabbit you can do as follows:

  1. Do not lock your rabbit inside a cage all the time. Rabbits like to run around and explore. Give them a running space and make sure you bunny-proof your house.
    If you cannot bunny-proof your house then choose a play-pen for bunnies to build a bunny running space.
  2. Your rabbits will explore themselves and in time slowly they will come close to you. Once they come close to you pet them slowly. Learn here how to pet a rabbit the right way?
  3. Do not pick up your bunny. Rabbits are prey animals and if you pick them up they may get scared. Get down to their level and play with them.
  4. Use rabbit toys for your rabbits. Toss some rabbit toys and see your rabbits playing with and chewing on them.
  5. Do not invade their space or they can think of you as their enemy. Allow your pet rabbits to come close to you.

Lonely rabbit after the death of a bonded partner.

A rabbit will get very lonely after the death of its bonded partner. Rabbits are very social animals and require a companion to remain happy and healthy.

Rabbits build a strong relationship with their partner and the death of their partner will cause severe stress and depression in a rabbit.

What can you actually do to prevent?

To prevent your pet rabbit from further loneliness you have to spend a lot of time with your rabbit. Do not allow your rabbit to remain lonely.

Try to bond with your grieving pet rabbit.

Your rabbit will grief and it will cause extreme stress in your rabbits. Once they are stressed beyond limits they will get sick very fast.

If you can’t spend sufficient time with your rabbit you can help your rabbit to come out of depression by introducing a new rabbit friend to improve the scenario.

However proper introduction is required before doing so. Do not expect your older rabbit to accept a new bunny companion right away.

Without correct rabbit bonding stages, the older rabbit may show signs of aggression towards the new bunny.

Follow the correct steps and perhaps it will help your grieving rabbit come out from depression.

Can rabbits die of loneliness?

YES, rabbits can die of loneliness. There have been several cases where a rabbit passed away after a few days of its bonded partner’s death.

Losing a friend or a bonded partner will cause the rabbit to grieve and depression. As a result, the grieving rabbit will be stressed.

AND in time the stressed rabbit will become unhealthy.

Staying in such a condition may result in the death of a lonely rabbit.

Therefore it is always a rabbit guardian duty to look after a lonely rabbit and do everything possible to keep the pet rabbit in a good shape.

Learn how to raise your rabbit!

Read it now!

Want your rabbit to be happy and healthy?

Click on the links below for:
Rabbit food
Rabbit Toys
Rabbit cages and houses
Rabbit health and hygiene
Get a portrait of your rabbit

Click here to order the ebook How to raise healthy & happy rabbits!

How to raise happy & healthy rabbits!
How to raise happy & healthy rabbits!

Read more

  • Do Rabbits Need Shots?
    All pet owners want their pets to have long, happy, healthy lives. The same goes for those who own rabbits. However, there is one concept that can be very complicated for rabbit owners: Vaccines. Do bunnies require vaccinations? Are they even safe? These questions pose a real concern for bunny owners. We all want our …

    Do Rabbits Need Shots? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Pumpkins?
    Pumpkins are believed to be rabbits’ second-favorite orange vegetable, right after carrots. These winter squashes are mostly used as holiday pies, but they’re also packed with nutrition that’s important in a rabbit’s diet. Pumpkin is not toxic for rabbits but they should not be fed with it too often or in larger amounts. If you …

    Can Rabbits Eat Pumpkins? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Bell Peppers?
    Picking the appropriate fresh vegetables to supplement your pet rabbit’s diet can be an excellent way to turn out their nutrition. While bunnies receive most of their nutrients from fresh hay, attaching a regular supplement of fresh greens and veggies will equip them with vital vitamins and minerals. While most vegetables can aid in keeping …

    Can Rabbits Eat Bell Peppers? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Cilantro?
    Cilantro gives a touch of fresh taste to a variety of foods. Just like any other spices, cilantro also carries antioxidants that can remove dejected and unwanted metal particles in our bodies. It has also been proven that cilantro carries an element that can fight off Salmonella. Thus, providing its partaker a more salutary digestive …

    Can Rabbits Eat Cilantro? Read More »

  • Can Rabbits Eat Corn?
    Fresh, dried, or cooked corn, all of them are not safe for your bunny. It is very unfortunate to say because some bunnies love to munch on fresh and sweet corn very much. While the hull of corn kernels carries complex polysaccharides. Normally, rabbits find it hard to digest complex polysaccharides. So, corn is considered …

    Can Rabbits Eat Corn? Read More »