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About Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
Expertise
I've lived with companion rabbits for more than 35 years, and consider them members of my family. I can answer any questions about the biology and health of rabbits, from the commonplace to the unusual. But please note:
RULE #1:
THE INTERNET IS NOT THE PLACE TO SEEK HELP IN AN EMERGENCY.
- If your rabbits is LETHARGIC
- If your rabbit is NOT EATING
- If your rabbit is PHYSICALLY INJURED (including broken bones)
- If your baby rabbit has DIARRHEA
...it is an EMERGENCY.
Find a rabbit-savvy veterinarian at www.rabbit.org/vets for immediate help, and don't risk your bunny's life by spending time asking questions online!
RULE #2:
Help me help you! Please make your subject line informative if you have an urgent question.
- If you already have been to the vet and still need help
- if you can't find an available vet with the resources above
then LET ME KNOW IN THE SUBJECT LINE so I can give your question highest priority over non-urgent questions. If you don't do this, then I can't guarantee timely assistance!
For all the best, most accurate rabbit health, care and behavior information, visit The House Rabbit Society.
Experience
Publications
Exotic DVM
Warren Peace (Journal of the House Rabbit Society of Miami)
Various newsletters of the House Rabbit Society, nationwide
Education/Credentials
Ph.D - Biology
B.S. - Biology
B.A. - English
Awards and Honors
Lightspan Academic Excellence Award for web site on rabbit health and biology
(http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare)
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You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Veterinary Medicine > Rabbits > baby rabbit
Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 11/9/2009
Question
I have just brought home an adorable little bunny from a pet store because of love at first sight. Now, as the initial excitement begins to wane and genuine concern for the well-being of the little guy awakens me to my plain lack of knowledge on the subject of rabbit care, I seek sound and experienced advise from an expert. I have desperately searched the web all night for information on things like diet among other issues but the opinions are so varied and many contradict what the clerk in the pet shop advised me to feed my little rabbit (ONLY pellets, no lettuce, carrots or celery whatsoever. Also, I am very worried about the age of the bunny. I was told that the bunch he was with were from litters anywhere between 6 and 12 weeks old. A little research taught me quickly that bunnies should stay with the doe a minimum of 8 weeks. Mine is quite small which leads me to believe he was taken from his mother at at least 5 or six weeks;however, I do not know exactly how many weeks old he actually is. I would like to know if there is a way a determining age and what he really should be fed for optimum health. One website suggested feeding yogurt...??? Does my bunny need vaccines? I would greatly appreciate your guidance in taking the best care of my new little friend. Thank you.
Answer
Dear Carlos,
There's nothing as irresistible as a baby bunny. But yes, the information for his care will be different, depending on whom you ask. Since you've come here, I'm assuming that you think my opinion will help, and I hope it does.
For the very best and most accurate information on diet, care, behavior, etc., always refer to:
www.rabbit.org/
You can get a quick overview of healthy diet here:
www.bio.miami.edu/hare/diet.html
and since you are concerned about his age (if he's very young, you will need to be *very* vigilant for any sign of runny stool, which must be treated as an emergency), please read this right away:
www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.html
No yogurt. The sugars will do more harm than the Lactobacillus would do any good. These are not necessary if he has a healthy intestinal flora already, but do be aware of his fecal output, and if you see *any* sign of runny stool, lethargy, or inappetence, find a good rabbit vet here:
www.rabbit.org/vets
Your bunny will not need (and should not have) vaccines in the U.S. (different story elsewhere, where two deadily viral diseases are more prevalent).
I hope you'll find these sites helpful, and please feel free to ask if you have any specific questions.
Good luck with your new pal!
Dana
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