what do i feed a newborn rabbit - High Altitude Science

What Do I Feed a Newborn Rabbit? A Complete Care Guide for Newborn Bunnies

Welcoming a newborn rabbit into your care is a delicate responsibility that requires proper nutrition to ensure healthy growth and development. Whether you’ve rescued a helpless hatchling or are caring for familial kits, knowing what to feed a newborn rabbit is essential for their survival and wellness. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the ideal diet, feeding schedule, and best practices to give your newborn bunny the best start in life.

Understanding the Context

Why Newborn Rabbits Need Special Nutrition

Newborn rabbits are altricial, meaning they’re born blind, hairless, and entirely dependent on their mother—or you, if she’s unavailable. Unlike older rabbits, they cannot digest solid food and rely completely on nutrition provided through milk for the first few weeks of life.

Without proper feeding, newborn bunnies face high risks, including weakness, failure to thrive, and increased susceptibility to illness. That’s why understanding the right kind of milk, timing, and transition is vital.

Key Insights

The Top Choice: Do You Need to Feed Planet-Approved Milk?

Important: Never feed cow’s milk, goat’s milk, or pet store “baby formula” designed for kittens or calves to newborn rabbits—these are too rich, improperly balanced, and can cause serious digestive issues.

Best nourishment for newborn rabbits is queen milk—if the mother rabbit is available, she is the perfect source of nutrition. Rabbit milk is highly concentrated and perfectly tailored to a bunny’s digestive system and nutritional needs.

If the mother rejects or abandons her kits:

Option 1: Encourage Mother Feeding
Provide a quiet, stress-free environment where the doe can nurse. Monitor closely to ensure the kits are gaining weight.

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Final Thoughts

Option 2: Hand-Feeding with Rabbit Milk Replacement (RMR)
Use a pure, unflavored rabbit milk replacer (not kitten or puppy milk substitute). Popular and reliable brands include Harrison’s Rabbit Milk Replacer or Oxbow Organic hay-based mix.
Avoid human infant formula—its ingredients are not suited for rabbits.

How Much and How Often to Feed

First Few Days (0–3 weeks):
Newborn bunnies should nurse frequently—every 2–4 hours—for 5–10 minutes each session. If hand-rearing, mimic natural feeding: hold the kit snug but comfortably against the mother’s or bottle, ensuring they swallow without inhaling.
Weight Checks Are Key:
A healthy baby rabbit gains about 10–15 grams (0.35–0.5 oz) per day in their first week. Regular, gentle weighing helps confirm they’re thriving.

Starting Solid Food: When and How?

Around 3–4 weeks of age, newborn rabbits transition gradually to solid foods:

Introduce High-Quality Hay:
Start with limited amounts of high-fiber, import-quality hay (like timothy or orchard grass). Fresh hay helps develop their digestive system and provides essential fiber.
Pellets (Optional and Delicate):
Official rabbit pellets formulated for neonatal or young bunnies can be offered sparingly around 4 weeks. Avoid adult rabbit pellets, which lack needed nutrients and fiber.