Is it okay to feed wild rabbits?

While some people see wild rabbits as pests that they need to keep out of their garden, many of us actually love seeing rabbits in the yard and worry about their well being. Still, it’s usually best not to feed wild rabbit’s directly, because it will make them wholly dependent on humans for food.

What can I feed a wild rabbit?

During warmer seasons, rabbits will eat weeds, grasses, clover, wildflowers, and flower and vegetable plants. When the weather turns cold, rabbits will munch on twigs, buds, bark, conifer needles, and any remaining green plants.

Can you keep a wild baby bunny?

Wild baby rabbits don’t do well in captivity. Not only do their natural survival instincts prevent them from being a suitable pet, but they spread dangerous diseases. Most bunnies become stressed and depressed living in small hutches and cages. Keeping wild rabbits is illegal in many areas.

What do baby wild bunnies eat?

When they start eating at about 2 weeks, they will eat alfalfa hay, carrots, and rabbit pellets. Don’t feed them lettuce or cabbage. Baby wild rabbits are like domestic rabbits – they will not bite you and are safe to raise.

What do you do with baby bunnies in your yard?

If you encounter a nest of baby rabbits, you should leave them alone and immediately leave the area. If you have accidentally disturbed a nest, put on gloves and gently return rabbits to their nest or the general area where you found them.

Can I keep a wild baby bunny?

Can a wild baby bunny be domesticated?

In most US states, it’s actually illegal to keep a wild baby rabbit as a pet. In most places, you cannot legally tame a wild rabbit unless you have a license with your state’s Department of Environmental Protection. Unless you see a wild baby rabbit that’s severely injured or sick, the animal must be left alone.

Do baby rabbits carry diseases?

‘ They could carry a deadly disease called Tularemia or “Rabbit fever”. “This year there are a lot of rabbits, and it could be that there is a rise or an uptick in that as well,” Dr. Greg Hurst of the White Oaks Went Animal Hospital said.

What foods can rabbits not eat?

Beans

How to tell if a rabbit is wild or domestic?

Things to look out for include: Approachability. Wild rabbits will never approach you. Movement. If the rabbit moves with confidence, it’s likely wild. Coloring. Wild rabbits are almost exclusively light brown in color. Head Shape. The head of a wild rabbit will be longer and thinner. Ears. No wild rabbit native to the U.S. Size. Weight. Companionship.

Can you keep a wild rabbit as a pet?

In most states, it is not legal to keep a wild rabbit as a pet. Even if a baby rabbit is orphaned, it is better off in the hands of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, notes House Rabbit Connection.

How often should rabbits eat?

A general guideline is to feed one to two cups of vegetables per 5 pounds of rabbit per day. Rabbits should be fed twice per day, once in the morning and once in the evening, ideally around dawn and dusk when they are most active.