Taking care of a
rabbit after she has given birth (a doe with a litter of kits) is crucial to
ensure both her health and the wellbeing of her babies. Here's a comprehensive
guide to caring for a mother rabbit post-birth:
1. Immediate Post-Birth Care
· Let her rest: Avoid disturbing the mother and her kits during the first
24–48 hours unless absolutely necessary.
· Check for complications: Discreetly check for any signs of distress, bleeding, or
retained kits (call a vet if you're unsure).
2. Housing and Nesting
· Quiet, safe space: Keep the nesting area in a calm, quiet room away from noise
and predators.
· Clean nest: The mother should have made a nest from hay and fur. If not,
provide soft hay or straw and ensure it’s dry and clean.
· No cage cleaning for a few days: Avoid fully cleaning the cage for about 3 days to
prevent stress; spot-clean only.
3. Feeding the Kits
· Mother’s milk: Kits nurse just once or twice a day, usually for just a few
minutes. This is normal.
· Don't handle kits too much: Only touch if needed (e.g., to check for dead kits or
help a cold kit back into the nest).
4. Feeding the Mother
· High-calorie diet: She needs more nutrition while nursing:
-
Unlimited hay
(timothy or alfalfa)
-
Pellets formulated
for nursing does (higher protein and calcium)
-
Fresh leafy greens
(avoid gassy veggies like cabbage early on)
-
Fresh water at all
times — she’ll drink a lot more now
5. Monitor Health
· Mother: Watch for signs
of mastitis (swollen, red nipples), lethargy, or refusal to eat — see a vet
immediately if so.
· Kits: They should be
warm, have round bellies (indicates feeding), and stay quiet (excessive crying
= hunger or cold).
6. Milestones & Weaning
· Day 10–12: Kits’ eyes open.
· Day 14+: They start hopping around and nibbling solid food.
· Week 6–8: Begin gradual weaning (solid food, less nursing).
· Week 8: Kits can be
separated and adopted out.
7. Avoid These Common Mistakes
· Don’t force the mother to stay with the kits all the time
— she only nurses briefly.
· Don’t handle kits with strong smells on your hands (like
perfume or food).
· Don’t breed her again immediately — give her several weeks
to recover.
When to Call a Vet:
· The mother seems listless or has abnormal discharge
· Kits are cold, underfed, or not gaining weight
· You suspect retained kits or mastitis
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