Caring For Wild Baby Bunnies        The best thing to do, if you find a wild baby rabbit is to find the hole or burrow where it's nest is and put it back! Don't worry about your smell making the mother bunny reject it, she won't. If you are sure the mother is dead (your dog brought you her lifeless form, etc.), then you will need to either formula feed the baby or find a wildlife rehabilitator. If you can find a rehabilitator in your area, this would be better, as such a person will likely already have the hands on experience in feeding bunny babies. With something this tricky, experience helps!   Here is a website that might help you find a wildlife rehabilitator in your area (you can also call your local humane society and/or veterinarian): http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm     In either event, the most important thing right now, is to keep the baby warm. If you have a heating pad, try filling a small box or pet cab with a towel for warmth, then set the pad on low and place it under the box. This will help the baby conserve body heat and therefore energy/calories.  If you don't have a heating pad, try heating some water and placing it in a water tight bottle, such as a good quality sports bottle.  Then put it in a box or basket and fill around it with an old towel (or even Carefresh litter), and put a light towel over the top of this.   (You are essentially making a "hot water bottle".)  Be sure to test the result by placing your hand on top, to be sure it isn't too hot.   This should help until you can send someone to the store for the heating pad (or get the bunny to a more experienced person).     If you must feed the baby rabbit formula yourself, you will need the following information:   Information sheet from the House Rabbit Society about nursing (orphaned wild) bunnies: http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/orphan.html   A rticle that tells you how much formula to feed the baby: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=495      What kind of formula to feed baby bunnies:   Pet Ag KMR Milk Replacer Food Supplement for Kittens & Small Animals Liquid The world's #1 milk replacer.  KMR Milk Replacer is formulated to closely match mother's milk in protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals. Available in powder or liquid. For kittens, baby hamsters and other small animals. You can click on the can above to purchase the formula directly from Petco.com, but since you are in a hurry, you are better off running out to your local pet store and picking some up directly.   Right click on the picture of the can, and then select "print picture".  This way you'll  know just what to get when you arrive at the store.       Additional information on raising wild bunnies can be found here:   Raising Orphaned Cottontail Rabbits Helpful information from the Alabama Wildlife Center.   Please note that if you are planning to hand feed a baby rabbit, you must not lay it on its back to feed.  Place the rabbit in a sitting up position.  The FAQ sheet mentions this only once and it is easy to miss, but quite critical.   Orphaned Baby Bunnies  Important FAQ from the House Rabbit Society.        Return to ... How To Raise Baby Bunnies      back to main bunny page