Wild Baby Rabbit Diet: Nutritional Needs Explained

Imagine you're out for a walk and stumble upon a rabbit's nest that looks disturbed. Maybe a predator has been near, or the mother hasn't returned. As you move closer, you notice a tiny, helpless baby rabbit inside. Your first instinct is to help—but do you know what a wild baby rabbit diet looks like?

Click Here For a Guide to Feeding Your Baby Rabbits.

Before you intervene, it's important to understand what wild baby rabbits eat, when they need human care, and how to best support them. Feeding an orphaned rabbit requires special care; the wrong food can do more harm than good. Let's break down exactly what a wild baby rabbit diet should include at each growth stage.

Do Wild Baby Rabbits Need Human Intervention?

Before feeding a wild baby rabbit, the first step is determining whether it truly needs help. Many people mistakenly assume a baby rabbit alone in a nest has been abandoned. However, mother rabbits only feed their young once or twice a day, usually at night. This helps keep predators away and increases their babies' chances of survival.

If you find a nest with baby rabbits, check for signs of distress before assuming they need care. A mother may still be tending to them, even if she's not present. Some signs that a baby rabbit may be orphaned include:

• Cold body temperature or shivering.

• Weakness or lethargy.

• Visible injuries or signs of a predator attack.

• A noticeably sunken stomach, indicating a lack of food.

• No signs of the mother for over 24 hours.

If you suspect the mother is still caring for the babies, leave the nest undisturbed. If you're certain the baby rabbit has been orphaned, you may need to step in temporarily until a licensed wildlife rehabilitator can take over. Learn more about how to care for orphaned wild rabbits.

What Do Wild Baby Rabbits Eat?

A wild baby rabbit's diet changes as they grow. Unlike domesticated rabbits, wild bunnies rely on specific foods found in their natural environment. Orphaned wild rabbits need a temporary substitute for their mother's milk before transitioning to solid food.

Newborn to Three Weeks Old

Newborn wild rabbits are dependent on their mother's milk. If you are caring for an orphaned baby, you'll need to mimic this diet as closely as possible. The best formula substitute is Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR), which is designed for newborn animals. Goat milk (not low-fat) can also be used as an alternative.

Here's a general feeding guideline for wild baby rabbits:

• Newborn to One Week Old: 2-2.5 cc of formula per feeding (twice a day).

• One to Two Weeks Old: 5-7 cc per feeding (twice a day).

• Two to Three Weeks Old: 7-13 cc per feeding (twice a day). At this stage, you can start introducing small amounts of Timothy hay and wild greens.

Feeding must be done carefully. Always keep the baby rabbit in an upright position, and use a syringe or an eyedropper to deliver the formula slowly. Never force-feed, as this can cause the rabbit to aspirate (inhale liquid into the lungs), which is fatal.

Three to Six Weeks Old

As wild baby rabbits grow, they start to eat more solid foods. By three weeks of age, they should be introduced to fresh grasses, clover, dandelion greens, and hay. Avoid feeding them fruits, sugary vegetables, or dairy products.

During this stage, the feeding schedule changes:

• Three to Four Weeks Old: 13-15 cc of formula per feeding (twice a day). Introduce more solid foods.

• Four to Six Weeks Old: Start reducing formula feedings. Wild rabbits should be eating mostly hay, grass, and leafy greens.

Six Weeks and Older

By six weeks, wild rabbits should be completely weaned from milk and eating solid foods. A healthy wild rabbit diet includes:

• Fresh grasses and hay (Timothy hay, oat hay).

• Leafy greens (dandelion leaves, clover, plantain weeds).

• Twigs and bark in colder months.

At this stage, rabbits are independent and should be released back into the wild if they are strong and healthy.

Foods to Avoid in a Wild Baby Rabbit Diet

Some foods that are safe for domesticated rabbits can be harmful to wild baby rabbits. Avoid feeding them:

• Cow’s milk – It can cause serious digestive issues.

• Puppy formula – Unlike kittens, rabbits cannot process the ingredients in puppy milk.

• Carrots – Despite common belief, carrots are high in sugar and should only be given in small amounts.

• Lettuce – Iceberg lettuce has no nutritional value and can cause digestive upset.

• Human food – Bread, crackers, nuts, and processed foods are dangerous for rabbits.

  

How to Safely Release a Wild Baby Rabbit

If you've cared for an orphaned wild baby rabbit, the goal should always be to return them to their natural habitat as soon as they are old enough. Wild rabbits do not make good pets—they are easily stressed in captivity and rely on their natural instincts to survive.

Here are some steps for a safe release:

1. Choose a quiet, safe location away from predators.

2. Release them near a natural food source (grassy fields, meadows, or brush areas).

3. Provide a small shelter (such as a box with an opening) where they can hide if needed.

4. Observe from a distance to ensure they acclimate well.

Final Thoughts on a Wild Baby Rabbit Diet

Raising an orphaned wild rabbit is a challenge, but with the right care and diet, they have a good chance of survival. Their diet should transition from formula to hay and fresh greens before they are ready to be released into the wild.

If you find a wild baby rabbit in need of help, always contact a wildlife rehabilitator first. While temporary care can be life-saving, professionals can provide the best long-term solution.