How to care for a pregnant rabbit

How long are rabbits pregnant for?

The rabbit gestation period isn’t long at all. Rabbits reproduce quickly, with pregnancies typically lasting around 31-33 days . As if that isn’t impressive enough, rabbits can produce a litter of up to 14 kits (baby rabbits). 

Such a short gestation period means rabbits can become pregnant again within hours of giving birth. Kits are born blind, deaf and hairless, but will begin to develop features after about 10 days.

While your rabbit is pregnant, make sure she has plenty of bedding material, a clean enclosure and constant access to clean, fresh water.

Pregnant rabbit labour signs 

Before a rabbit gives birth, known as kindling, she will likely spend most of the time hiding away in her nest. She may dig a burrow for privacy in preparation for giving birth.

Kindling usually happens early in the morning, when the mother-to-be feels safest, and typically lasts around 30 minutes.

Rabbits may show their face and move around between kits if she is having difficulty kindling, but obstruction is rare.

How to care for a rabbit in labour

Once a rabbit gives birth, it’s important to give her time alone with her kits. She will lick and clean her young and eat the placentas as they pass. Kits normally nurse from their mother the night after the birth.

Avoid disturbing the mother for at least day after her giving birth. Frightened rabbits may harm their kits or stop feeding them.

Caring for baby rabbits

After kits are born, the mother rabbit may display behaviours that might seem odd at first. What’s most important that you leave the mum to do her job. But you can also help to keep her loveable kits happy and healthy.

Normal behaviour

If your female rabbit stays away from her litter after birth, don’t panic. Mother rabbits leave their young to avoid drawing the attention of predators. This is normal behaviour, and not doing so can be very distressing for the mother and her kits.

It’s important that she has her own space in the enclosure to retreat to. Female rabbits will return to the nest to feed the litter a few times a day, before leaving again for long periods of time.

Handling baby rabbits

It might be tempting to stroke your rabbit’s babies, but avoid handling them until they are at least ten days old. Sometimes infant rabbits may leave their nest, in which case you should stroke the mother rabbit before gently putting them back. This will transfer her scent onto your hands before you touch the kits, reducing the chances of a kit being rejected.

Gentle handling of baby rabbits is extremely important. Interact positively with them for a few minutes a day to socialise them. Once they’re about three weeks old, provide them with plenty of space to explore, exercise and play. 

Diet for baby rabbits

Good quality hay is crucial for a rabbit’s diet. Baby rabbits practice eating hay from about two weeks old, along with their mum’s milk. Once they start leaving the nest from three weeks old, you can slowly introduce fresh veg.

At five to six weeks old, kits can eat a mix of fresh daily greens. Once they’re around eight weeks old, they will be fully weaned. Always provide fresh water in a shallow bowl . If they have a lack of appetite or facial swelling, it might be worth checking their teeth.

How to prevent unwanted rabbit pregnancies

If you want to avoid a surprise litter, there are two things you can do.  

Keep males and females separate

If your rabbit has already given birth, it’s a good idea to identify the kits’ gender. Siblings will mate with each other if given the chance, and it will only be a few weeks’ time before they are able to breed.

If you can’t verify their gender, your vet can assist you . After that, keep them separated in different areas of the enclosure. If you can, pair them by gender to make sure they’re not left alone. 

Have your rabbit neutered

It’s worth speaking to your vet about getting your rabbits neutered. Neutering has countless benefits for rabbits, including:

• Preventing life-threatening health issues such as cancer.
• Giving rabbits a fulfilled life with a companion.
• Reducing aggression and fighting between siblings.

A neutered male and neutered female pair bond works best for pet rabbits, as they aren’t frustrated by hormones produced by one another. Female rabbits can be neutered from four months while males can be neutered from ten weeks.

Sainsbury's Bank Rabbit Insurance 

Keep your rabbit hopping and happy with rabbit insurance. We can help cover the cost of expenses for vet visits, health conditions and more, so you can care for your pregnant rabbit and her little thumpers for their lifetime. 

Please note that we won't cover any pre-existing conditions and that terms, conditions, excesses, exclusions and limitations apply.