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My bunny just had babies! Do I need a nest box and can I clean her cage?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Small Animal | Rabbit | Female | unspayed

I bought a bunny about a week ago and I had no clue that she was pregnant. And about 3-4 days ago she had babies. I seen online you are suppose to have a nest box? But I don't have one at the moment. I'm not sure what to do. Do I get a nest box and put them in it? Will she still care for them? I also want to clean her cage but I'm not sure if I'm suppose to touch anything?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 21st, 2017

Your bunny should still care for the babies even if you move them (your smell shouldn't cause her to abandon them). A nestbox is nice for her to have privacy and keep the babies warm. Be sure there is thick soft bedding in the cage and the nestbox so the babies are warm. I would wait

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Sorry, my answer sent before I was finished! I would make sure she is caring for the babies ok and then you could clean her cage, at least partially (i.e. clean half at a time) or spot cleaning at first. Keep the cage in a quiet/private area of the house. Unfortunately some rabbits don't make great moms no matter what if they are young and high strung, but if she is caring for them so far, hopefully she will continue as long as she has some privacy and soft warm bedding (such as care fresh bedding and soft hay).
0Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on May 21st, 2017
If she made a nest using her fur and bedding, then you don't need to add a box. You can clean around the nest if necessary. If you need to move the kits (baby rabbits), gently scoop them up with some nest material. You can replace them once the cage is clean.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 19th, 2018
If you can make a separate area in her cage where she can build a nest and feels safe, that would be perfect. Once she has her babies, do not disturb her or them as mama rabbits will eat their young if they get stressed. So a nesting box is a good idea.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My rabbit had babies. Why isn't she peeing or pooping in her cage?

I am happy that you are paying close attention to your rabbit and her babies. It's likely that she is being super clean and actually eating the feces and cleaning away any urine from her nest as soon as its produced to keep her babies clean as well. Make sure she has plenty of food, hay and clean water. Rabbits prefer to raise their kittens without being disturbed so try not to handle her too much.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My rabbit just had babies. How do I care for the new mom and kits?

There isn't much she needs to do, just give her rabbit a quite comfortable place to be and as a mother she should take care of the new-borns. just make sure to provide her nice quantities of food including hay.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

How to identify the mother bunny among multiple females with babies?

I am not sure if you bought all the rabbits together and were told they were all females, or if you accidentally bought a pregnant rabbit, or if you mated her. This may sound silly, but you should make sure that all the rabbits are female, because if there is a male in the cage, he needs to be separated from the females and the babies. Nursing mothers are very secretive, and usually only nurse once or twice a day. They only do so when they feel safe, usually just before dawn and/or just after dusk. It's unlikely you will catch the mother nursing, so that can't be used as a clue. Rabbits who are about to give birth will pull their fur out to make a nest. If any of the female rabbits are missing fur, she is likely the mother. Should you have one male in there accidentally and two females, they both could have had babies. In that case, the male should be separated, and the mothers can stay together because it will be impossible to tell which baby belongs to which rabbit. Just make sure the cage is extra large so they both have plenty of room for their nests.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My rabbit isn't feeding her babies. Should I feed them or keep warm?

Does are usually great mothers and will take excellent care of their babies. Keep in mind that baby bunnies can safely go 1 - 2 days before getting a full ‘meal.’ This is a protective mechanism since in the wild the doe might need to stay away from the nest for a while to avoid leading predators to her kits. Mother rabbits only ever feed their kits once a day, rarely twice, and that for just 5 to 10 minutes. In this short time frame, the kits get their whole day’s milk supply. So, if you never see the doe go near the nest box, but the little kits have round tummies, everything is fine. You don’t need to help nature along. The doe is doing her job while you’re in bed asleep. If you find that she is not feeding them at all after 2 days then refer to this link to an article on how to raise orphan bunnies. There is a recipe you can use in their to make formula. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

Will a mother bunny abandon her babies due to my dog's smell?

The smell of the dog or a human will not stop the mom from returning, so best to leave the bunny in the nest unless it appears wounded. Baby bunnies are VERY tough to raise so their best bet is to stay with mom. Try to keep your dog away from the best area so mom doesn't feel threatened.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

What body signs indicate my pregnant rabbit is going into labor?

She may go off her feed or eat more, get aggressive, dig in corners or pull clumps of fur out to fortify a nest. She will build her nest and kindle where she feels most comfortable. You can use a rolled up towel or washcloth to make a border on the edge of the nest if you want. Whatever you do though, don't stress her out as this could cause her to a random the kits or worse.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Are my 11-day-old baby bunnies getting enough care and feeding?

That's fine, as long as they are kept warm. Does (female rabbits) typically nurse once or twice daily. The kits (bunnies) will begin munching on hay within the next few days. They can eat alfalfa (until 7 months of age), timothy hay or oat grasses and fresh vegetables in addition to a commercial pelleted diet.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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