Q&A for How to Care for Newborn Rabbits

Yes. Mother rabbits often leave their young for hours at a time, so she will appreciate the opportunity to take a break. Just make sure that she can access the cage and return to her babies whenever she wants to. Try leaving the cage door open and provide a ramp for the mother rabbit so that she can return when she is ready.

Where possible let the mother rabbit take care of the babies, as hand-rearing a rabbit is fraught with problems. Be aware that the mother only feeds her babies twice a day and she may well leave them unattended for long periods in between. Thus, although the babies may appear abandoned, if the mother can still get back to them the chances are they are not in difficulties. If you know the mother is dead, then feed twice a day (as she would) to tide them over until they are two to three weeks of age, when they start eating solid foods.

It is easier to litter-train an older rabbit than a youngster, because the latter's attention span is limited. That said, even young rabbits tend to use one corner of the hutch to toilet in, so you can put a tray there as soon as the kits start to be more independent and move away from their mother - just don't expect too much too soon.

Sadly, it is not possible to revive a dead baby.

Don't confuse feeding a good quality diet with overfeeding the rabbit. Female rabbits that are overweight during pregnancy are more likely to have problems than those in good body condition.