• Forum/Server Upgrade If you are reading this you have made it to the upgraded forum. Posts made on the old forum after 26th October 2023 have not been transfered. Everything else should be here. If you find any issues please let us know.

  • Please Note - Medical Advice

    Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.

    You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.

    We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.

    Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.

baby rabbits

J

jackiek

New Kit
my baby rabbits are nearly 3 weeks old and are growing wonderfully, they are now venturing out of the nest. they are starting to show interest in the foodI put out for their mom, can they eat this, or do they need specail kind of food thanks
 
They should be fine eating the food their mum is eating and if it was me i would put some probiotics in the water which you can buy from a good pet shop:)
 
same as mom, but strictly no veg or fruit-as it can kill them being so young. A good pellet should be fed to all and the muesli avoided. Start their teeth off on the right track lots of hay :) I wouldn't add anything to use water or give any supplements being so young it's risky. Just the good old basics.
 
No idea if you should give probiotics to the babies, but just a bit of advice. Pet shop probiotics do not generally list how much bacteria is in them (e.g a good human probitic has 16billion per capsule) this is because the amount in them is pathetic. If you want a good probiotic get one from a healthfood store. Get capsules and just sprinkle the contents over the food. You can also buy powder for children but make sure this hasnt got anything added.

The low-range and cheap probiotic I give my hamster and rabbit is by Natures Aid and has 2 billion per capsule. This is not very high for humans but great for them as they are obv a lot smaller :lol: you cant OD on it, and for your piece of mind know that my hamster has been having half a capsule a week since she was 8 weeks old.

If you see diaorhea I would feed it, otherwise it isnt needed as such but you may want to give it anyway up to you. We never gave anything special to our baby rabbits when I was a kid, and none were ill (we had maybe 50-75ish? I was about 8 so dont know precisely)
 
kits..

I leave it to mum... All my kits have nibbled what mum has... But i fed her seperate with fresh food.. As this can give the kits the runs.. But i put junior pellets in and lots of hay. My kits and mum also had goats milk.... Ive reared 9 now and all are fine....My 6 week kits eat fresh food now to..
 
Some people have found that if their baby rabbits eat what mum is eating (including fresh) that the immunity in her milk will help them stay ok and healthy and not struggle. I personally wouldn't risk this, but if it happens that may help calm you.

I would just let them eat whatever pellets mum is eating and obviously lots and lots of hay and water.

If you wanted to give probiotics you're looking for a specific ingredient and I'm not sure I've found it in any UK products. I can't even remember exactly what its called but L. casei springs to mind. Acidolphus is what is normally used but apparently that's not actually useful for them.

With mine I just gave water in bowls, loads of hay and unlimited pellets. Super easy :)

The crucial time for the gut is 4 weeks onwards so be very vigilant around that time and onwards for any signs of any gut issues or 'sloshing' when they move.
 
thanks everyone, great advice :) the mommy rabbit does eat the museli stuff, but I think I will get soem pellets for the babies. Also I will be very careful they dont eat the fresh.
 
jackiek said:
thanks everyone, great advice :) the mommy rabbit does eat the museli stuff, but I think I will get soem pellets for the babies. Also I will be very careful they dont eat the fresh.
Click to expand...

I'd gradually transfer mum and babies over to something healthier ASAP.
 
I agree with Sky-O, most probiotics sold are designed for human and other carnivore digestive systems and aren't of benefit to a rabbit digestive system as the bacteria aren't those that would normally be found in a herbivore system. As far as I am aware only Protexin products have appropriate microbes that can survive the very acidic conditions of the rabbit stomach (although it was their rep that told me this so I remain slightly sceptical that they are the only ones!!). Saccharomyces yeast is the microbe they use and is one of the main components of the rabbit digestive flora and has been shown to help altered gut flora.
If you are concerned about the babies' intestinal function (e.g. diarrhoea/soft faeces) then seek veterinary advice as coccidiosis tends to cause intestinal upsets in young rabbits and needs rapid treatment.
Avoid large amounts of fresh foods in one go, but gradual introduction of a variety of foods will mean they are more accepting of new food items later in life. Plenty of hay and provision of good quality of pellets and freely available water is the best diet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Gi stasis, no vets available
Replies
9
Views
204
ERCD
E
E
Are my baby rabbits healthy weights?
Replies
1
Views
204
InspectorMorse
InspectorMorse
rosaleen
Panacur needed? Yes or no.
Replies
4
Views
199
rosaleen
rosaleen
Back
Top