Have you ever found a tiny baby rabbit and wondered, what do baby rabbits eat? For the first 3 weeks, baby rabbits (called kits) drink only their mother’s milk. By 3 to 4 weeks, they start nibbling on alfalfa hay and pellets. At 7 weeks, they can slowly try leafy greens.
Never give them cow’s milk, fruit, or human snacks—it can make them sick.
First 3 weeks, baby rabbits drink only their mother’s milk. By 3 to 4 weeks, they start nibbling on alfalfa hay and pellets. At 7 weeks, they can slowly try leafy greens.
Baby rabbits have very special food needs. They eat different things as they grow up. This guide will help you learn all about what baby rabbits eat and how to care for them.
Key Takeaways
- Baby rabbits (kits) drink only their mother’s milk for the first 3 weeks
- Wild and domestic baby rabbits have similar diets
- Baby rabbits begin eating solid foods around 3 weeks old
- Alfalfa hay is a good first solid food for baby rabbits
- Never feed cow’s milk to baby rabbits – it can be deadly
- Baby rabbits need special care and feeding schedules
- If you find an orphaned baby rabbit, contact a wildlife expert
Table of Contents
What Are Baby Rabbits Called?
Before we talk about food, here’s a fun fact: a baby rabbit is called a kit or kitten. They’re born in groups called litters. A litter usually has 3-8 kits. Baby rabbits are very tiny when born. They have no fur and their eyes are closed. They grow very fast!
What Do Newborn Baby Rabbits Eat?
Newborn baby rabbits eat only one thing: mother’s milk. For the first three weeks of life, baby rabbits depend 100% on milk from their mom. This milk is perfect for them. It has:
- All the nutrients they need to grow
- Antibodies to keep them healthy
- The right amount of fat and protein
Mother rabbits feed their babies just once or twice a day. This might seem strange! But rabbit milk is very rich. It has everything baby rabbits need to grow strong.
Fun Fact: Mother rabbits only visit their nest for about 5 minutes each day to feed their babies. This helps keep the nest safe from predators!
Can You Feed Baby Rabbits Cow’s Milk?
No! Never feed baby rabbits cow’s milk, goat’s milk, or any milk from the store. These milks can make baby rabbits very sick or even cause death. Baby rabbits have very sensitive tummies.
If a baby rabbit has no mother, you need a special milk called rabbit milk replacer. You can find this at pet stores or from a vet.
Feeding Schedule for Baby Rabbits
Baby rabbits need to eat on a strict schedule. Here’s a simple guide:
Age: 0-3 Weeks
- Food: Mother’s milk only (or rabbit milk replacer)
- Frequency: Once or twice a day
- Amount: They drink until full (about 2-2.5 tablespoons)
Age: 3-4 Weeks
- Food: Mother’s milk plus small amounts of alfalfa hay
- Frequency: Once a day for milk; hay always available
- Amount: They start nibbling hay while still drinking milk
Age: 4-7 Weeks
- Food: Less milk, more hay, introduce pellets
- Frequency: Hay and water always available; pellets in small amounts
- Amount: Unlimited hay; 1/8 cup pellets daily
Age: 7+ Weeks
- Food: Weaned from milk; hay, pellets, and some vegetables
- Frequency: Food available all day
- Amount: Unlimited hay; 1/4 cup pellets; small amounts of veggies
What Do Baby Rabbits Eat When They Start Solid Foods?
Around 3 weeks old, baby rabbits start to eat solid foods. They still drink milk, but they also begin to nibble on:
Alfalfa Hay
This is the best first food for baby rabbits. Alfalfa hay is:
- High in protein and calcium
- Soft and easy to chew
- Tasty for young rabbits
Baby rabbits should have unlimited access to fresh alfalfa hay. They can eat as much as they want!
Rabbit Pellets
At about 4 weeks old, you can start giving baby rabbits pellets. Choose pellets made just for young rabbits. These have:
- Extra protein for growth
- Added vitamins and minerals
- The right balance of nutrients
Start with a small amount of pellets. Give about 1/8 cup per day at first. Slowly increase as they grow.
Fresh Water
Once baby rabbits start eating solid food, they need fresh water too. Use a shallow dish or a water bottle made for rabbits. Change the water every day to keep it clean.
What Do Baby Bunnies Eat Without Mom?
Finding a baby bunny without its mom is serious. These little ones need special care and the right food to stay alive. Here’s what you should do:
- Check if they really need help. Mother rabbits often leave the nest during the day. If the babies look healthy, their mom is probably coming back to feed them.
- Call an expert. Contact a wildlife rescue center, rabbit rescue, or a vet who knows about rabbits.
- Keep them warm. Baby rabbits need to stay warm. Use a box with soft towels.
- Feed them properly. If they must be fed:
- Under 3 weeks: Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) or goat milk mixed with Colostrum
- Over 3 weeks: KMR plus solid foods like alfalfa hay and pellets
Homemade Baby Rabbit Formula
If you can’t get rabbit milk replacer right away, here’s a very short-term emergency formula:
- 1 cup of whole goat’s milk
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon corn syrup
Warning: This should only be used for a few feedings until you can get proper rabbit milk replacer!
What Do Wild Baby Rabbits Eat?
Wild baby rabbits eat very similar foods to pet rabbits. They start with mother’s milk. Then they begin to eat plants from nature.
Wild Baby Rabbit Diet by Age:
0-3 weeks: Mother’s milk only
3-4 weeks: Mother’s milk plus nibbling on grasses and plants
4+ weeks: Gradually eating more plants and less milk:
- Native grasses
- Clover
- Dandelion leaves
- Plantain leaves
- Wild herbs
Wild baby rabbits never eat:
- Fruit
- Vegetables like carrots
- Seeds or nuts
- Human foods
Important: Wild baby rabbits usually don’t survive when raised by people. Unless they’re hurt or in danger, it’s best to leave them alone.
How to Feed a Baby Rabbit
Feeding a baby rabbit takes special care. Here are the steps:
For Babies Under 3 Weeks (Milk Feeding)
- Warm the formula to about body temperature (100°F/38°C).
- Use the right tool. The best option is a:
- 1ml or 3ml syringe (no needle)
- Special pet nursing bottle
- Never use a human baby bottle – it’s too big!
- Feed slowly. Place a tiny drop on the lips and let the baby swallow.
- Feed the right amount:
- Newborn: 2-2.5cc per feeding
- 1 week: 5-7cc per feeding
- 2 weeks: 7-13cc per feeding
- 3 weeks: 13-15cc per feeding
- Help them go potty: After each feeding, gently clean the baby bunny’s bottom using a warm, damp cotton ball. This helps them pee and poop.
For Babies 3+ Weeks (Starting Solid Foods)
- Offer alfalfa hay in a shallow dish. Make sure it’s fresh and green.
- Add a small amount of pellets when they reach 4 weeks.
- Always provide fresh water in a shallow dish that won’t tip over.
- Start with tiny pieces of green vegetables at 7 weeks.
Safe Foods for Baby Rabbits
Once baby rabbits reach 7 weeks old, you can start to give them small amounts of vegetables. Start with one type at a time. Give a piece the size of your thumb.
Safe First Vegetables:
- Romaine lettuce
- Carrot tops (the green leafy part)
- Small piece of cilantro
- Tiny bit of parsley
- Small piece of kale
Foods to Avoid:
Some foods are dangerous for baby rabbits. Never feed them:
- Iceberg lettuce
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Potatoes
- Beans
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Corn
- Bread
- Chocolate
- Any human foods
Baby Rabbit Feeding Problems
Sometimes baby rabbits have feeding problems. Watch for these warning signs:
- Not eating or drinking
- Runny poop or diarrhea
- Bloated tummy
- Very sleepy or not moving much
- Making crying sounds
- Cold to the touch
If you see any of these signs, call a rabbit vet right away! Baby rabbits can get sick very fast.
Can 3 Week Old Bunnies Survive On Their Own?
No, 3-week-old bunnies cannot survive on their own. At 3 weeks, baby rabbits:
- Have just opened their eyes
- Can’t control their body temperature well
- Are just starting to eat solid foods
- Still need mother’s milk
- Don’t know how to find food or water
- Can’t protect themselves from danger
Baby rabbits need their mother until they are at least 8 weeks old. In the wild, they stay near their mother’s territory and learn from her.
How To Keep A Wild Baby Bunny Alive
If you find a wild baby rabbit that truly needs help, follow these steps:
- Don’t kidnap healthy babies. If they look plump and warm, their mother is caring for them. Leave them alone!
- Call for help first. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator before trying to help.
- Handle as little as possible. Too much handling causes stress.
- Keep them warm. Use a box with soft towels and keep it in a quiet place.
- Get expert help for feeding. Wildlife experts know the right foods and techniques.
The best thing you can do for wild baby rabbits is to find a wildlife rehabilitator who specializes in rabbits.
What To Do With Newborn Rabbits
If you find newborn rabbits or your pet rabbit has babies, here’s what to do:
For Wild Rabbit Nests:
- Leave them alone! The mother is probably nearby.
- Keep pets and children away from the nest.
- If you think the mother is dead, call a wildlife expert.
For Pet Rabbit Babies:
- Give the mother and babies a quiet, private space.
- Provide the mother with extra food and water.
- Don’t handle the babies for the first two weeks.
- Watch from a distance to make sure the mother is feeding them.
- If the mother rejects them, call a vet right away.
Diet for Baby Rabbits at Different Ages
Here’s a quick reference table showing what baby rabbits should eat as they grow:
| Age | Main Food | Secondary Foods | Treats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 weeks | Mother’s milk only | None | None | Feed once or twice daily |
| 3-4 weeks | Mother’s milk | Alfalfa hay | None | Begin introducing hay |
| 4-7 weeks | Alfalfa hay | Mother’s milk, pellets | None | Begin weaning process |
| 7-8 weeks | Alfalfa hay & pellets | Small amounts of greens | None | Fully weaned from milk |
| 8-12 weeks | Alfalfa hay & pellets | Variety of leafy greens | Tiny bits of carrot tops | Gradually introduce greens |
| 12+ weeks | Timothy hay | Pellets & greens | Occasional herbs | Start switching from alfalfa to timothy hay |
Summary: What Do Baby Rabbits Eat?
Baby rabbits have special dietary needs that change as they grow. So what do baby rabbits eat by ages:
- Newborn to 3 weeks: Mother’s milk only
- 3-4 weeks: Mother’s milk plus alfalfa hay
- 4-7 weeks: Decreasing milk, more hay, introducing pellets
- 7+ weeks: Hay, pellets, and beginning to try vegetables
If you must feed a baby rabbit without a mother, seek advice from a rabbit expert or vet. They need special formula and care to survive.
Remember that wild and pet baby rabbits have similar needs. The best food for any baby rabbit comes from its mother. Human care is only needed if the mother can’t feed her babies.
By knowing what baby rabbits eat, you can help them grow healthy and strong!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do baby rabbits eat?
Mother’s milk (0-3 weeks), then alfalfa hay and pellets. Never cow’s milk. Gradually add leafy greens after 7 weeks.
What do newborn bunnies eat?
Mother’s milk only. If orphaned, use special rabbit milk replacer formula. Never cow’s milk.
What do you feed a wild baby rabbit?
Leave wild babies alone if possible. If truly orphaned, contact a wildlife rehabilitator for proper feeding advice.
What do baby bunnies eat without mom?
Special rabbit milk replacer until 3 weeks, then add alfalfa hay, pellets, and water. Never cow’s milk.
How to keep a wild baby bunny alive?
Keep warm, minimize handling, contact wildlife expert immediately. Use proper formula if feeding is necessary.
What to do with newborn rabbits?
Leave wild nests alone. For pet rabbits, provide mother with quiet space, extra food, and avoid handling babies.
What do baby bunnies eat?
Mother’s milk first, then alfalfa hay, rabbit pellets, and eventually some leafy greens. Water after 3 weeks.
What is a baby rabbit called?
A baby rabbit is called a kit or kitten. They are born in groups called litters.
What to feed a baby rabbit?
Mother’s milk or rabbit milk replacer (0-3 weeks), alfalfa hay (3+ weeks), pellets (4+ weeks), greens (7+ weeks).
Can 3-week-old bunnies survive on their own?
No. At 3 weeks, they just opened their eyes and are starting to eat solid foods. They still need their mother.
