Rabbit nesting: Pregnant or false pregnancy? How to tell at home?

They are quite cute! The best way to determine pregnancy in a rabbit is via a physical exam. Other symptoms include weight gain, nesting, fur pulling or aggressive behavior. Gestation is short, about 4 weeks. They can mate as soon as a few days after kindling (giving birth), so it would be recommended to separate them until you can determine genders and pregnancy status. You can read about how to determine sex in rabbits at the link below. https://www.petcoach.co/article/sexing-rabbits/

Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure how far along she is in her pregnancy is to take her into the vet, and I can give you some resources that may help you afford a vet. The typical gestation length of rabbits is 31 days. You will need to take the male out of Binky's cage before she gives birth because he will mate with her again after she gives birth, and you could end up with more rabbits. I will put another link to a resource below on how to take care of a pregnant rabbit and her kits: If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Carefree Credit online. http://www.carefreecredit.co.uk https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/vetcare http://www.easipetcare.com http://myhouserabbit.com/new-to-rabbits/about-baby-bunnies/

Unfortunately you can't tell if this is a real pregnancy or a false pregnancy without an ultrasound at this stage. At 22 days, the fetal heart beats can be detected on an ultrasound. At 45 days, the fetal skeletons can be seen on an x-ray. Depending on the size of the mother and the amount of puppies, the fetuses may be palpated in the final weeks of pregnancy. Here are a couple links with additional information: https://www.petcoach.co/article/false-pregnancy-in-dogs/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/pregnancy-diagnosis-caring-for-the-pregnant-dog/ I strongly recommend to have your dog spayed. Otherwise she will have up to two litters of puppies a year. Not only is this a lot of strain on her body, but it contributes to pet over population. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

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.

Thanks for reaching out about Browneee. Is she acting as if she is nesting or in labor? If so, a veterinary visit is recommended. Monitor for appetite, water consumption, urination and defecation. Monitor for bloody or any discharge from the vulva. If any concerns, a veterinary visit earlier rather than later is recommended. Good luck.

It is very possible that she is having a false pregnancy as you have already suggested. This process is called psuedocyesis and is very common in rabbits shortly after their pregnancy has completed. Unless you are seeing other signs of illness or she persists with this behavior for several more days, I would not seek veterinary attention at this time. Continue to make sure she is eating and drinking normal amounts and that her bowel movements look an appropriate consistency. There is a drug available to stop false pregnancies, but this is not something I would suggest using at this time. Hope this helps!

Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach is a group of online veterinarians who do not have access to any adoptable pets...etc. If you are looking for a breed recommendation, a mixed breed shelter rescue is always a good option because they tend to be healthier than purebred dogs (though this is not always the case). Also, if a dog has been in foster care, you can get a pet used to cats, children...etc. You will also get a good idea of the personality from the foster family. Regarding purebred dogs, breeds like Australian Cattle Dogs, Corgis, Australian Shepherds and Border Collies are all generally hardy dogs who may fall within your size expectations (though some breeders may breed larger dogs). These are all working dogs so be sure to do your homework. Hounds tend to be hardy dogs but if it gets cold (and I assume it does), they don't have a thicker coat to help keep them warm. Many of the smaller Terriers (Irish Terrier, Lakeland Terrier) are also hardy and smart but they are terriers so do your homework. I hope this helps.