What to Do If You Found a Stray Rabbit
- Alert The Animal Rescue. Inform veterinary clinics, shelters, and/or animal rescue centers in and around the area about the stray.
- Capture The Rabbit.
- Determine The Rabbit Specie.
- Assess The Rabbit’s Health.
- Search For a Nest.
- Keep The Rabbit Safe.
Can I release my pet rabbit into the wild?
Never release a pet rabbit outside. Releasing a domestic animal into the wild is a crime. Unfortunately, every year, thousands of rabbit guardians decide to abandon their pets in the great outdoors. They may believe the rabbit can survive and thrive in the wild but this is an inaccurate and deadly assumption.
Can you keep a bunny that you found outside?
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.
Can I take my bunny to the store?
Not really. It’s stressful to the rabbit and I wouldn’t risk it. Sure letting your rabbit free roam in a bunny proof area of your home is a great idea, but bringing them to public places to show them to everyone isn’t.
For the wild rabbits in your yard, you can give them:
- Collard greens (high in vitamin A)
- Beet greens (the tops, high in vitamin A)
- Lettuce: Romaine, Red or Green leaf (no iceberg or light colored leaf)
- Spinach.
- Parsley.
- Basil.
- Mint.
- Bok Choy.
Should I rescue a wild bunny?
If you happen to spot a wild baby rabbit in your yard, your first instinct might be to “rescue” the poor, defenseless creature and care for it in your home. However, to ensure the little bunny’s best chance for survival, the best action you can take is to leave it alone.
Should you feed stray rabbits?
It’s best to help feed wild rabbits by providing food for them naturally. This will prevent them from becoming dependent on you for food. Big piles of food in the yard can also attract other unwanted animals that may be more dangerous or prone to spreading disease (such as raccoons).
What can I feed a wild bunny?
Adult wild rabbits eat clover, grass and other plants, as well as twigs and even bark, if other food sources are scarce. Gardeners may find that rabbits nibble their flower and vegetable plants in spring and summer and the bark of fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs in the fall and winter.
Is it OK to feed wild rabbits?
5 Things I Recommend Feeding Wild Rabbits
Baby Carrots-another one that would be good for you to put some of yours out first before you buy some. They’ll eat them for sure but it may take a few nights. Just remember that carrots have a high sugar content so they should be fed sparingly. This is true of ALL fruit!
What do you feed abandoned rabbits?
As soon their eyes are open, you may introduce the bunnies to hay, such as alfalfa, timothy and grass hay, oat hay, and for wild bunnies–dark leafy veggies such as dandelion greens, Italian or flat-leaf parsley, carrot tops, small carrots, etc. Provide a source of water.
What should I feed a stray bunny?
Dandelion greens and hay (timothy and oat hay) are extremely important for wild rabbits. You can add whole oats from a feed store, and some grated carrots. The greens must be fresh, rinsed, and replaced if not eaten in a few hours.
Can you feed wild rabbits carrots?
Planting some vegetables, such as carrots and leafy lettuces, are also a great way to help feed wild rabbits in a natural and nutritious way. Rabbits can snack on the delicious leaves, but usually, there’ll still be some left over for you to eat. Herb gardens are also excellent for wild rabbits.
What should I feed the rabbits in my yard?
You’ll want to feed your rabbit grass hays. Good types of grass hay for bunnies are timothy, orchard grass, brome and oat hay. You can feed your bunnies either one type or a mixture of different grass hays. Buy the freshest hay possible and check for the presence of mold or dust, which could make your rabbit sick.
Is it OK to feed a wild rabbit?
Still, it’s usually best not to feed wild rabbits directly, because it will make them wholly dependent on humans for food. You can help wild rabbits have food resources by planting shrubs and greenery that will live through the winter.
What is a wild rabbit’s favorite food?
Their favorites include goldenrod, plantain, chickweed, sheep sorrel, buttercup, smartweed, wild strawberry, cinquefoil, and violet. After autumn frosts kill green plants, rabbits switch to eating bark, twigs, and buds. Among the woody plants they feed on: blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, and willow.
Can I feed wild rabbits carrots?
So, if you’re wondering “Do wild rabbits eat carrots?” the answer is, “Yes, they will, but it’s not their favorite.” The same applies to most other vegetables. Although we like to give our own pet rabbits lots of fresh veggies, wild rabbits will eat whatever nutrient-dense foods are availabl.