Can You Keep a Wild Rabbit as a Pet? | Pet Rabbits

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Speaker 1: A lot of people call during the Spring and Summer because they've come across a nest of wild baby rabbits. They assume that the mother has abandoned the babies. Usually that's not the case and it's usually not the case that the mother has been hit by a car or anything like that. In fact, rabbits don't nurse their animals steadily the way dogs or cats do. They don't stay with the babies. They will nurse their babies once, sometimes twice a day, just for a few minutes, and in five minutes a baby rabbit can actually consume 20% of its body weight in mother's milk.
Speaker 2: Whoa.
Speaker 1: Typically the mother will come to the nest, quickly nurse the babies, and leave the nest. And this is a way of keeping predators away from the nest. So people will assume, when they find a nest of baby rabbits, that that nest has been abandoned by the mother and they'll think this is a great opportunity to get to know wild rabbits first hand. They'll bring them in the house and then they'll call us and they'll say, 'How do you take care of a wild rabbit?' And what people don't understand, believe it or not, wild rabbits and domestic rabbits are not related. They can't interbreed.
Speaker 2: Right.
Speaker 1: They're different creatures and the care involved is completely different. So I always tell them to get in touch with the nearest licensed wildlife rehabilitator. It's not even legal in most states to have a wild rabbit in your possession, so if in fact you have a baby rabbit, take it to a wildlife rehabilitator. Better yet, if you see a nest that you think has been abandoned, call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and ask for advice about what you should do, rather than picking up the rabbits. A wild rabbit in possession in a household doesn't live very long. People are not informed on how to take care of them. They don't do well in captivity at all and you may be responsible for the rabbit's death instead of for helping the rabbit, which is probably what you wanted to do. And the related issue to this is many people who buy rabbits for their children at Easter, or as birthday gifts or whatever, soon enough the child stops taking care of rabbit, which shouldn't have been the child's job to begin with, of course. But the child stops taking care of the rabbit and the parents, without thinking twice about it, let the rabbit go in the backyard.
Speaker 2: All the time.
Speaker 1: Yeah. I mean we hear about this all the time
Speaker 2: They just let it go.
Speaker 1: Yup. And they say that . . .
Speaker 2: It'll be snatched like that.
Speaker 1: . . . I want him to join a wild family and have a chance to have his own family. And as I said, they don't interbreed.
Speaker 2: They're domesticated.
Speaker 1: They don't join wild families. They're domesticated. This particular rabbit I chose for this video, because he's about the same color as a wild rabbit. Similar, that tweedy, outdoor look.
Speaker 2: Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1: So people, when they see this kind of rabbit outdoors, they may think it's a wild rabbit. In fact, this is a Netherlands dwarf domestic rabbit. And they're are differences. If you study the coloration carefully in pictures on the web you will see the differences but you'll see that this rabbit has tiny ears. Wild rabbits don't have tiny ears. This is a dwarf breed and this is a way that you can tell the difference between him and a wild rabbit. In any case, don't let your rabbit go outdoors, and don't attempt to keep a wild rabbit as a pet. You will insure the well being of both the domestic rabbit and the wild rabbit that way.

[@bashirbash7913]

That rabbit is SOOOOO CUTEEEE! she’s/he’s so calm!

[@ei4955]

then mine my rabbit keeps scratching me

[@KarlHainer]

I have owned and looked after rabbits all of my life (16 so far). I currently own two wild rabbits as pets (Gabriel & Blue). They are 13 & 14 years old and are still going strong.

[@johnathanthompson4549]

Karl I have a question for you was it possible to potty train your rabbits using a litterbox if so how did you do it it's important because I'm trying to figure out how

[@tymwillpass1592]

@@johnathanthompson4549 I’ve successfully did this with 6 pet rabbits. Use a dishpan with shavings in and add Timothy hay. Oxbow is a good brand. When they eat it they poop. Watch to see when they pee in the corner. Give a treat. One of my bunnies knew her name and would jump on the couch and demand to be pet. They still leave coco puffs here and there but way better to just have a litter box.

[@tattooshopcover2649]

why you dont cook and eat them.

[@aleksandramakari]

What kind? Mine was a cottontail, he got obviously old at 5 and died at 6.

[@vinniekay0967]

This is why my first reaction on this topic was: INCORRECT Info! As keeping Agouti (Wild colour) Rabbits in the house for 35yrs, i currently have a lovely beautiful male who's mother is a fullbred 'Satin Vos Tan' who got accidentaly 'Humped', in the yard by a 'sneaked in' wild rabbit. All 6 babies came out being healthy wild coloured bunnies. So that story of not compatible to 'interbreed' with wild rabbits is also not true.. ;)

[@rileyyym3834]

it is also bad to let a tamed rabbit go because for his whole life he/she has been feed and now it wont know to find food or how to

[@dapper_gent]

they sell carrot shaped decon for that purpose

[@avacournoyer300]

yes

[@jessicapersaud1489]

When you set ur bunny outside its not free. Its food

[@willneisamassivenonce8235]

Riley's KZbin Corner mines gone 😪

[@Bridgidige]

Riley's KZbin Corner: because it's really hard to find grass...

[@friedoranges3487]

I rescued a baby rabbit when I was around 11 years old not knowing the difference between a pet rabbit and a wild one. So I never told my parents a bout it. The cage was hidden. But I've taken care of that bunny and it is still alive to this day. I am 13 now.

[@marjon1266]

Awesome. Care to share some tips?

[@RHY5IE]

is it still alive? lmao

[@renardl2240]

@@RHY5IE lmao

[@HollyTrapwood]

Update Us Now

[@peanutmansemporiumofrandom7472]

@@HollyTrapwood what are you hassling a kid for?

[@tmarie2u279]

It's horrible if you abandon any pet irresponsibly. But to release or "Set Free" a White Rabbit into the woods????? Why not just cover it with ketchup and yell "come and get it" while your at it!!!

[@joshuaperrie6174]

That's not what they are talking about.

[@tmarie2u279]

Joshua Perrie 1:45 she says "the RELATED Issue" and goes in to people buying rabbits around Easter as Pets for their Kids. Now what color of rabbit is MOST associated with Easter?? The Cadbury Bunny anyone?? That's right White rabbits! And if someone is ........... delusional enough to think that a domesticated rabbit is going to have some Watership Down moment then yes their are People who will release a white rabbit. And like I said KETCUP and a Dinner Bell! But these SAME people will have the Audacity to reproach researchers for not saving an animal being preyed upon in the Wild! A wild animal! Not a defenseless Pet that was sent to it's death. That they didn't have the guts to take to the vet and have it put down. Oh no then you would have to face what kind of an irresponsible JERK you are that has NO RESPECT for animals!! So they continue with their delusion. That the White rabbit was found by wild rabbits and taken to their warren. And it has Camouflage!! Look how it blends in with the White Hydrangea Bushes!! So Yes that IS Part of what they were talking about. Clearly some skipped that. An inconvenient Truth?? Oh noooo did my Comment ruin that??? My Bad!

[@jaisamcclain6348]

Tmarie2u I do not agree with just seting them free but seting them frees better then putting them down. I have breed rabbits for years and will tell you that. Pet rabbits can live in the wild. If they have a group of 2 or more.

[@jaisamcclain6348]

Ok you now nothing about this. I have rabbits that got out. They have been fine in the wild for 3 years. They have babys now under my porch. None of them have dead. Can you explain that?

[@jaisamcclain6348]

Tmarie2u​ tell me can you explain that?

[@BrianDamageYT]

Adding a slight correction here: American wild rabbits (Sylvilagus species) are a different genus to domesticated rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), but European and Australian wild rabbits are NOT. Indeed, the domestic rabbit is descended from wild European rabbits, and in turn the wild Aussie rabbits are descended from European wild-domestic hybrids. Therefore, wild rabbits in Europe and Australia can and will interbreed with domestics. American wild rabbits, on the other hand, are various species of native cottontail, and will not interbreed.

[@ghostpatriot2370]

The whole video was a joke and waste of time. Can’t just Karen the cat lady to make a video on every animal.

[@MrJeremygroseclose]

I don't know if we have invasive species here in Appalachia but the neighbors pet rabbit lived in my yard loose for about 2 years and was pregnant multiple times.

[@roxannesmith5287]

​@@MrJeremygrosecloseMy friend had a huge lop eared rabbit when we were kids & he would often times get loose & hang out with the wild bunnies in & around the neighborhood he tried mating with the wild females but they weren't having any parts of him😂😂😂

[@Dougy]

Who else is reading the beautiful stories about saving a rabbit/bunny they found?

[@Dougy]

btw screw that old lady!

[@janea814]

😂 I hate vets because all they say is call a rehabilitation center. I called all of them in my state and none of them will take then nor tell me how to take care of them. I didn't find them near any nest but in the middle of the street with their eyes closed. I've been taking care of them for a while and they are doing great. They are big , vets don't care about wild animals even if they are in danger.

[@an-tm3250]

Vets want monet b4 treatment or giving info. Cat keeps bringing friends home.

[@chrispq12]

Vets care about one thing....TAKING AS MUCH OF YOUR CASH AS POSSIBLE. I watched a vet tell a grieving family that there dog would die if they didn't pay 2k IN CASH to save there pet. They are as cruel as any awful person.

[@wilderchannel6879]

This, I have been rehabbing possums, squirrels, birds for awhile now and currently have two baby wild bunnies that were picked up by dogs, its so frustrating because if you try to look up how to care for any of these babies all they say is contact a wildlife center, but then they don't want to take them on cause they are considered nuisances and aren't exotic enough to bring in donation money, and most vets will advise to put them down over trying to care for them, so I've done my deep dives into caring for these animals and have unofficially become my towns rehabber through fb lol id rather give them a chance at life then leave them to die.

[@stsanford]

@@wilderchannel6879 I’m in a similar situation. How’d your bunnies make out?

[@samanthaarn]

How do you take care of them?

[@Jarrodmontelius]

A how to video telling you it can't be done. Only Howcast.

[@sbensel2575]

It's not suppose to be a how to, it's only answering the questions can you

[@HALOnoob2000]

We found 4 baby rabbits in a nest but 3 were dead. We kept the one that lived, brought it home, got in contact with an expert, and he said it's ok to keep one. The little dude was in bad shape the first day we found him. Two days later after feeding him and keeping him warm. He's been hopping around and exploring the house. He's had become really attached to us. We were going to take it to a vet but we were afraid of what thing could possibly happen to him. Feeding him isn't so bad either, when he's ready he just nibbles on one of your fingers. If anyone is planning on keeping one. The best thing you should and need to do is keep them warm, out of the light(maybe a small not so bright light will be fine), and feed them goats milk, and lettuce. If you've got wood chips then they really would love that. Just keep in mind, make sure they are fed at least twice a day.

[@hhhwhat9472]

Keith Boutte Dairy and lettuce is bad for rabbits.

[@hhhwhat9472]

Keith Boutte And they need a constant supply of hay.

[@rnbrineg]

If they're still nursing it's not. I don't know where you get that lettuce is bad for them, my vet recommends green leafy vegetables.

[@GreymanWalking]

not all lettuce, it's only iceburg, but saying it's bad is not entirely accurate either. Iceburg lettuce just has no vitamin value to it.

[@Splashstar216]

Goats milk is the best thing for baby rabbits, but not lettuce. You should feed them high quality rabbit pellets and hay, along with plenty of veggies. They love bananas too!

[@cmndrkool321]

I had a wild rabbit since the week it was born. It's mom was dead on the road. I named it Harry (it was a boy and Harry Potter just got into theaters that week). I had Harry for almost 6 years. That's twice as long as they survive in the wild!

[@ZeusPolecat]

Wild rabbits and domestic rabbits can interbreed if you are based in Europe. She wasn't very clear about that.

[@phanjacky2418]

Well basically they need to be from the same Race

[@deathunitesus2135]

European 🐇 can only breed with European. Cotton tail cannot breed with our domestic bunnys.

[@macaelatice-loma1048]

i mean they were all wild once...

[@NgJackal1990]

I mean she had degrees and educated. And I’m not sure about you. If any, I would follow her guide than yours.

[@brostenen]

Normally, Americans think that only Americans see what they put on youtube. A few Americans know their audience.

[@thelosttrainer8655]

I found a baby one all alone so I'm keeping it

[@emiliec4391]

I have a wild cottontail and she was severely dehydrated and injured so I kept her now she is 2 years old and loving life!

[@kikicookie9555]

+Emilie christopherson same we have never seen its mother

[@dapper_gent]

+Emilie christopherson I have a pet owl that needs a friend.

[@emiliec4391]

+dappergen haha very funny

[@KerpooHater]

+dappergen then get a bobcat they love owls

[@Greg07623]

This is a very useful video. As a child I experienced exactly what they described as a supposed abandoned nest. A wooded area was being cleared for a house and we saw the babies. We did wait for quite a while to see if the mother would return but she didn't. Since the contractors were going to have them removed and put to sleep, I did take all 4 into our house, kept them warm and bottle fed them for a couple months. They were incredibly sweet and when we felt they were ready we took them to our country house to release them into the area. All of them however scurried under a crawl space under the house and to this day we have these priceless offspring of the four bouncing around our yard. There have never been more than a few in view, but like the flowers in spring we can always count on a few of them dotting the landscape. They won't approach us but they pass by within a few feet and seem very comfortable sharing the space.

[@ruckboger]

That's so nice :)

[@sunnynsydney4705]

A long time ago, I had two rabbits one domesticated and one wild.My dad came home with Thumper *wild bc he was injured. We nursed him back to health, then put him outside. *leaving only a bowl of water. He didnt leave us even though we lived in a wooded area. He would follow us to the bus every morning and the domesticated we bought later on joined him as well. We would give them alfalfa, carrots, pellets ;lettuce, water. Thumper was potty trained and Chubby just followed him. We would have them inside when it was too cold so. Sometimes they would stare inside till we opened the door :") They werent in cages either, they were free to roam around. Once it got warmer they were outside. We would pet them and stuff but not often. They lived for a long time, our backyard was big and it was shady. They would often eat the plants in the garden :") We loved them, Im sure they passed of old age.

[@kit2130]

Sounds ideal! You had a great dad 😊

[@sunnynsydney4705]

@@kit2130 I do, don’t tell him though he’ll get a big head :)

[@kit2130]

@@sunnynsydney4705 tell him all the time, life is short! ❤️

[@ruckboger]

Awwww

[@agnesb1625]

You don't wanna use 2:53 minutes of your life watching this video? Well here's the answer. No, you should not keep a wild rabbit as a pet.

[@idkman6149]

NO!!!!!!

[@idkman6149]

Go to rabbits.org to learn more :D

[@idkman6149]

Glad i helped :D

[@FRAGGLE6011]

rnt they cute!?

[@idiotwilson1474]

pixel_princess51 I'd be too tempted to eat it. I love wild rabbits(as food)

[@TornadoCrewStormChasers]

The town where I was a police officer had a neighborhood where people let a domestic rabbit loose. Soon there were multi-colored wild rabbits running around. I witnessed the domestic/cottontail rabbits first hand. You yes they can mate.

[@charlottequinn9495]

threre was a horrid smell in the woos just outside my garden and there was a dead rabbit, so i had a look around and found a nest of babies, so i set up a camra aand went home the nest day i took the camra and set up another and reviewed the footage from the day before and no sighs of mom. the next day we checked again and no mom, by no 2 of the 4 babies had passed away so wd went and collected the babies, we live in a very distent part of town and couldnt get to a wildlife re hab for a few days so we made a nest in are garden and put a play pen around it and and fed the babbies milk now and then, but we did it so they wouldnt get to used to humans and still knew how to hunt fir food and that, now a few monthes later they live in are garden, not in a cage as wild rabbits that can leave any time they like, but choose to stay so we put out vegetables for them some times to. so there still wild we in no way shape or form would class them as pets just semi-tames wild bunnies

[@WildWolfheart23]

Babies have to digestive enzyme to process lactose, which they lose after they reach adulthood. Goes for all mammals

[@MrDK0010]

I hope the milk was cat's milk. Anything else is unsafe.

[@kimberlyburd784]

That's amazing.

[@Splashstar216]

@Niya Burks goats milk is a good replacement for bunnies, which I'm sure is what they meant.

[@justsomerandomchickenwithi2012]

I killed two rabbits today eating my garden

[@hollyTM]

I found a baby rabbit on my porch one time. I don't know where it ever came from, luckily my neighbor is a rabbit breeder and her cat likes to bring baby rabbits home alive a lot. So she will raise them then let them go. So she helped me raise it, she was too busy with her own rabbits. And ever since then it comes on my front porch every morning for the last year looking for me, most of the time I'll leave a little veggies or treats just for the little guy. I currently have one of my own rabbits, so I've got plenty of veggies to go around, but it's nice to see the little bunny boy once and a while. I call him Ollie/ Oliver. He's a adorable rabbit, but I never pet or come in contact with him, just once and a while leave food. I don't know why he comes to my porch and stands there. Maybe he feels safe from predators there, anyone might know why he comes there other than food?

[@rowangrey3118]

Cute

[@jaisamcclain6348]

It feels safe there. Wild rabbits come back to the area. They were rasied because they know that area better and feel safer there.

[@cookiechip3371]

Holly Martin My aunt has a cat and he brought one in one time to play with it. She says the bunny was triffid. After my aunt had to put the cat in a anther room so she could catch it. after trying and failing, she had to get the cat out to catch it back for her. It's odd because he would mostly hunt animals then do this. I wonder if cats and bunnies have some kind of relation ship with each-other.

[@clarencejackson5284]

Jaisa MCclain I have a couple of baby rabbits that was born in my yard that's why they won't leave, I enjoy watching them play

[@jasongenova1741]

I workout at home, in my garage, and every day at about 7:20 after my first set I'll look out the window and see a rabbit just sitting there. It's there until the loudness of the plates on the barbell savage it away. Pretty interesting.

[@justsquidding]

One time, years ago, I was walking with my older sister. These two boys were waking toward us. (at the time they went to my school so I recognized them) They were probably about 12 or older and were carrying a container. They walked up and said that they had found baby rabbits! I looked inside and they were all grey. They said that the mother was run over by a lawn mower (wtf) so they asked if we wanted one. We said sure (keep in mind I was in like first grade and my sister was probably like in her first year of high school) They gave us a male and said they were keeping the females. I held it in the palm of my hand. Even then, that little rabbit could fit in the tiny hand of a 7 year old. We rushed home to show our mom. (who is highly allergic) Obviously we couldn't keep it because it was wild, it hadn't even opened its eyes yet so it was too young, and my mom is allergic. We called all of the local animal places that could help, but I'm pretty sure it was in the summer on a Sunday so all of the places were closed. Finally online we found an animal rehabilitation center and called them. We then drove over and talked to them. I remember they had snakes and everything. They took the baby rabbit and put it with a nursing mother rabbit with her babies nursing at the moment. I forgot to mention that we named him Botsee (baby in German) when we were kids our family would always say noka botsee which means naked baby in German when we would take showers when we were younger. (My grandmother immigrated to America from Germany when she was 12) I think about him sometimes and wonder if he's doing well and an adult by now. I wish I could see what he is doing now...

[@BirdBoy1012Games]

What happened?

[@sydnibienvenu7858]

+Olivia Hague So did you "do away with it" or something?

[@CatieKoala]

Pretty sure baby in german is just baby..

[@nunyabiznis817]

The wildlife rescue people probably fed it to some snakes, no doubt.

[@Jmitez]

I once rescued 4 baby rabbits who were abandoned. Their mother was either hit by a car or eaten by a coyote (we have a lot here). So I nurtured them until they opened their eyes and gave them to a wildlife rehabilitator

[@whatif3271]

but did you know if it was dead? Why didn't you monitor them, maybe with a camera, to see if she came back

[@Jmitez]

Arielle Webber Yeah I placed some dead grass over the nest forming an X hoping that if the mother did return, that the X would be disturbed, but it wasn't for like 2 days in a row. The bunnies were also very lethargic and one was already dead.

[@whatif3271]

Dang

[@whatif3271]

Jmitez I'm glad you did that

[@CarlosGarcia-iz6ec]

noice

[@goldenfreddy2026]

that Bunny's so cute, I want to keep him🐇

[@lynr3357]

Golden Freddy 20 Me too!

[@secretmina23]

I remember in a university I worked at, I went into the foresty part to take some photos and saw a whole group of wild bunnies. Was my first time ever seeing bunnies in the wild and I was shocked cuz I thought they were only domestic pets. But my God, it was such a beautiful sight. 😊

[@estelaangeles2346]

Where is your university

[@markhammer643]

We're on our second wild cottontail as a housepet (the first one found a weakness in the hutch and ran off), and they are an absolute delight. Both obtained in late May, when they typically leave the nest in our region. VERY clean. I was struck by how quickly they litter-train, selecting a place where they do their business, and then go *nowhere* else. They can be skittish and shy, but are quite gentle, and not aggressive at all. Though we have not had either for a very extensive period, we did have a domestic rabbit for about 11-1/2 years, before he died, which is a fairly long life for a domestic bunny. So I don't think our level of care was wanting. Our current cottontail is now about 6 months old, and enjoys lots of room to move around the house, with periods of outdoor time in a large hutch he can enter from a doorway in the back of the house. He enjoys a varied diet, with rabbit chow supplemented by kale, carrots, oats, bell pepper cores (he loves the seeds), green beans, apple skins and cores, dandelion leaves, cauliflower leaves, and the very occasional bit of cookie. Rabbits seem to treat hanging cords and cables as if they were roots dangling from the ceiling of a burrow that need trimming, so it is best to keep cords and cables out of the way. But apart from that, no damage to anything. Least active period seems to be during daylight hours, with (known) activity highest in early morning and around dusk. Very strict rules about contact. THEY can touch YOU, but YOU are not permitted to touch THEM. Mind you, our last cottontail would hop up onto our laps for a little nibble of cookie, and permit stroking of its paw while preoccupied with chewing. We'll see if this one gets tamer. Like ANY pet, be it a goldfish, a rabbit, cat, gerbil, or Great Dane, do NOT take one on as a housepet unless you are prepared to commit.

[@vinniekay0967]

You're confirming my experience as i said in my comments above ;)

[@brittanylynn2334]

A few days ago my dad found a nest with two bunnies approximately 15 days old, according to research we did. The bunnies came right out to him. He left them alone for the most part for a couple days, just checking on them to make sure they were surviving and the momma was still caring for them. One seemed skinny though but it was starting to nibble on grass. My family, obviously curious, started to go out to them and they would hop straight into our hands and one curled up in between my legs to get warm. The other was a healthy size and ate grass more. But this morning only one was out and about, the fatter one, and we noticed that flies were around the nest. My dad reached in and found the dead skinny one. My dad thinks the mom didn't come back that night to feed it and it died from dehydration. We didn't want the other one to spend the night in the cold so we brought it inside where it is quiet. And its supposed to rain for the next few days. So what should we do?

[@TheSergio1021]

Me staring at the rabbit the whole time: "I'm sorry, what were you talking about?"

[@scorpiogirl0784]

I just love you both. I learned so much from your videos when I first got my baby 8 years ago and he is still going strong from everything I learned from these videos. I’m rewatching for old time sake. Thank you. ❤

[@douwedetmar4551]

found a demastic baby people just let them free in the forest it didnt try to run away from me i just picked it up since it was all alone and took care of it now it's 3years old and it shows me love every single day

[@RayeDrgn]

Not trying to be hater or anything but they say if a wild animal randomly comes up to you (one which is normally cautious) that you shouldn't mess with it because chances are it might have rabies and it is delusional. Obviously this wasn't the case with your rabbit if it is alive today and you were able to tell that it was domestic..but just thought I would share.

[@colliie]

Douwe Detmar I doubt your story is true..

[@daw162]

groundhogs, raccoons, deer, etc, you can apply that. Baby birds and baby rabbits, etc, just don't have the sense or instinct to run away yet. Probably because nature doesn't want their mothers having to expend energy rounding them up after they flee from every scare. Fawns not included, some of those will let you walk right up on them, too. Good idea to stay away from them. Mom has sharp hooves and the babies will ultimately scream.

[@kakumei77]

I have a problem, just recently, my neighbor has a small bunny farm and it seems like one escape. He claims it is not his and won't take it in. It's definitely not a cottontail. And I am sure it's a lost domesticated rabbit. I am sure it's his. As it is completely black. I am thinking of keeping the rabbit since he just abandoned it. but I am not sure how to capture it. Right now, it hangs in my front yard. And people want to chase it as well as dogs and cats. He actually gets along with my elder cat. Not sure how to go about the situation.

[@user-yu5wz8tp2t]

I doubt you'll get any good advice. Maybe a trapped cage that you often check everyday?

[@merandahooker8854]

Is this still going on? I can try to give you advice if you still need it.

[@nancycamello20]

once you raise a wild bunny, they are inprinted, I rescued one years ago, he lived until he was 6 year's old, he went to the vet and everything, yes he was a little more nervous but all rabbits are, he had a happy wonderful life, but yes it's hard to rehab them ,but worth it

[@estelaangeles2346]

@@nancycamello20 do they carry diseases

[@izzi7576]

We found a baby rabbit that was being attacked by crows and it had its eye taken, it now 3 years later and he lives in a huge outdoor pen with shelter and fresh veg everyday and he lives next to (not with) another rescued wild Coloured domestic rabbit, my friend (his owner) takes amazing care of him. It's so lovely to see he's happy now, and no he doesn't get handled because he is wild, he just gets fed

[@JJMedusa]

--- The rabbit in this video is absolutely adorable. :)

[@SunRabbit]

I had a wild rabbit as a friend who came by my house regularly every day. I knew I couldn't take him in so I just made friends with him. After about a year he trusted me enough to eat carrots and lettuce I'd leave on the back steps. Gradually he became more trusting but never let me touch him. He did take naps in my backyard though. The next spring he brought by his entire family but by then I had moved away.

[@DavidGetling]

As a look at other videos shows, not doing well or living long, as a pet, isn't always true. Some seem to be very happy as pets, and live many time longer than they would in the wild. It depends on how young the rabbit was when it was adopted, how the rabbit is treated, and the temperament of the individual rabbit.

[@ecksudee8298]

I used to have a half cottontail. She was a big sweetie, but a little erratic and crazy. Definitely acted like a wild animal, but still somewhat domesticated.

[@FerRod2113]

I was driving late at night last week and saw a ran over rabbit on the middle of the road, surprisingly it was still alive. I picked it up and brought it home and nursed it to health. It’s 100% fine now but it loves following me around and licking my fingers. I want to set the little guy free but I’d feel bad if it gets eaten by a coyote or sum. Don’t know how old it is (obviously) but it looks young.

[@alyssa475]

i have a wild rabbit and he gained my trust we didnt get him when he was young he loves me so much i let him outside the house and i had him for 2 years!

[@lapislemon7441]

There's 8 baby rabbits that live in a tree in my backyard. The first few days we saw them, we hadn't seen their mother at all. But we didn't even think about taking them, or anything of that matter. We waited for the mom to come back. And a few days later we saw mommy, and she is out everyday and so are her babies, enjoying the plants and food.

[@EnlightenedPro]

i just found three wild baby rabbits and my dad was thinking about keeping them, i advised against it because I learned somewhere a long time ago that there is a difference between wild and domesticated rabbit, but wasn't sure if we can still keep them. This video helped me decide to let them go. Thanks for the information.

[@sparkytdg]

We found 3 babies this year. Mom was mowed over by the county road crew, and my son saw it. His buddy took 2 and we took the runt. 2 months later reintroduced him to a group of wild rabbits about 10 miles away. We visit them all the time with food and to take pictures. Roger is the fastest of the group, and is the only one that will let us get within 10 feet of him before he is gone. You can help babies get back on their feet.

[@Zefar77]

When I was young my big sister brought a wild rabbit that had been running around a horse stable and I believe it did scare the horses a bit. So she brought it home for us to take care of it. It was a black dwarf bunny and in the start it did bit me, my brother and my big brother. But over the years it got so tame and comfortable living with us that we could let it out during the morning and it'd do stuff around the house and when we got back home from school. It'd basically be in his sleeping cage. He died of natural causes too.

[@7chances340]

I've been raising a cottontail for a week now due to the fact my cat tried killing him. He is now two weeks old. No centers were open at the time.

[@philmcrackinnow]

I’m in the same situation and I don’t know what to do. I can keep it alive but then what?

[@deaustin4018]

I have one wild, pet mouse (extraordinary circumstances.) I've had him for about a year now, he could live for another year or two, and I can honestly say I love him as much as any pet I've ever had. But oh the travail, staring at the door everyday wondering if this is the day Fish and Game will burst in guns ablaze to take my mouse away.

[@kit2130]

How long did your mouse live? Mine is a year old now. It’s a deer mouse. They say they only live 1 1/2 yrs but time will tell! I don’t hold it. Did you pet or hold yours? After bottle feeding it, it started to bite a little so I let it have a big play area with lots of food. It’s favorite is graham crwcjers & whiskas cat milk.

[@deaustin4018]

My little Stuart (or Stewart - he never did tell me how he spelled his name) lived just a couple weeks short of two years. He began eating out of my hand very quickly (loved peanut butter) and became very friendly in his older age. I held him in the palm of my hand and close to my heart as he passed on to heaven and God's heart.

[@dawnlightworker]

😂😂😂

[@adriasorensen2249]

Omigosh, such a cute bunny. I miss my wild bunny buddy Hopper. No worries, he was a neighborhood bunny who I would chill with when I was outside and we'd sit next to each other with me talking to him. He was such a special soul.

[@BRITTWOODNESHIE]

Well, I learned something new today. Great information.

[@hunnyyy1109]

Too bad I kept it and today it's BOOTIFUL

[@MrLassylady]

ggqbbie my cat brought a baby bunny home yesterday evening. It looks to be about 2 weeks old. It's ears stood straight up there is no white mark on head. It sits up . I brought it in house and covered it up in a mouse habitat. To keep it secure. I left it alone all night.min morning I got it to nibble some dandelion and used my finger to put drops of water in mouth. I lightly pinched its fur to make sure it wasn't dehydrated. I left it go and covered it all day. Around 5:00 pm I got it out and set it on a blanket. I had gathered some greens from flower bed where there was dandelions, clover, and violets and something else . It ate so well a little of each even the dandelion petals. I plan on keeping it and caring myself. Then taking it farther away to let go

[@estelaangeles2346]

@@MrLassylady i live in California but i heard baby rabbits have diseases

[@schleichhorsegirl2488]

I was eating a chocolate bunny while watching this and now I’m sad

[@shadowfern4022]

I once found 2 baby wild rabbits but they were not in a nest they were on the concrete floor on my back yard, I left them there for 2 hours to wait and see if their mother came back, when I did some investigating I found blood and alot of fur on the floor. The babies didn't even have their eyes open and were about 1 week old from my reasearch they were so tiny! With the help of my sister we nurtured them until their eyes opened and called a wild life center and they helped us out with them. I hope we did the right thing and those rabbits are living happily in the wild.

[@jonathanyang9693]

So true, same goes to my two sisters they had a two pet rabbit one looks exactly like that brownies color one and others black/white rabbit. They both didn't live very long since when my sister brought them home, they stop taking care of the rabbit mostly often it past away.

[@WildWolfheart23]

I have a friend who accidentally got a litter of wild and domestic hybrid rabbits cause she left her female outside :(. Btw I think getting a rabbit for your kid is fine- as long as they actually want one and you’re willing to be the one mainly responsible for it’s care.

[@mattelhead793]

In my old house I used to live in , there was alot of wild rabbits . A rabbit had made a nest for her babies and I could see them in my backyard . Unfortunally the mother was accidentally locked down in the cellar of the neighbouring apartment and had most likely died from stress . I took in the baby rabbits (there were 3 , couldve been more but animal could have snatched some) and nursed them . One got very very tame unfortunally , so I had to keep that one - The other two were released when they were old enough . I have no idea why the one rabbit got so tame , since I didn't let them get too used to humans . I guess it was born with an unusual personality .

[@weightliftingfairy972]

I live kind of near the woods it's like a trail for hiking etc and there is a black rabbit it's cute af and it always hops around in my backyard

[@rubywalls2818]

Bean has some perfect contour lines on his nose and the side of his face 😂😂

[@moewilson40]

I think she is just trying to stress that finding helpless babies that need special attention, they should go to a wildlife centre. It actually is the law, and you can be fined big bucks if caught with a wild animal. However, I do own a baby wild rabbit. I have had her for over two weeks and she is doing awesome. She is healthy and curious. She was old enough to be eating on her own when I got her, and must have been out grazing when a crow snatched her. The crow flew by me and dropped this darling on the road. The crow was ticked when I jumped in and took its' dinner. I had to pay $135 to glue shut a dimed size cut at the vets. I figure she was a crow's dinner anyway, so whatever life I can provide is a bonus. I am following all the rules with Timothy hay, limited treats etc... She loves her little head stroked.

[@metano847]

thats so cute

[@lovelymichi6997]

Do you keep her in a cage? If not what do you keep her in? Btw that’s really cute

[@snipinggodgaming3513]

hmm lets see, i already know this! UGH, I found a baby cottontail and am keeping it. You see my dog attacked the nest so i had to. Plus im in canada :/

[@BruceCampbell747]

We had a jackrabbit when I was a kid, got stuck inbetween a brick wall and the fence in our backyard and he was our pet for almost 10 years, stayed indoors and out and our other rabbit we bought at the store stayed indoors but mostly outdoors even in the middle of winter and he lived to about 12 years old

[@amberler]

My neighbour brought me a wild rabbit that his daughter found; it was trapped in a fence. It was really young and weak. I fed it with a syringe for a week until it started to eat solid food. 6 months later, and it's now part of the family. It snuggles up with me on the sofa, it even bites me if I ignore it. It's the best of friends with my two domesticated rabbits as well. I wouldn't have gone out of my way to catch her, but there is now way I was letting her die.

[@nataliemarkin2614]

Well I found a baby rabbit like maybe 4 or 3 months ago and she is still alive and fine and is still very very healthy

[@Kajra87]

Yeah the lady in this video was exaggerating a bit when she said wild rabbits won't survive in captivity. I also have a wild rabbit (almost been a year now) and he's doing fine. Just feed them as natural a diet as possible (mainly grasses and other vegetation they'd eat in the wild. Try to avoid pellets) to keep them healthy.

[@OfftoShambala]

I seriously doubt it’s ‘illegal’ to keep a rabbit 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@Alexthesuperlol]

We then saw one of the rabbitts and we could tell it was him cause it looked like it had a monobrow then there was another big rabbit and 3 little babbies and it made me so happy knowing that one still lived

[@jennapicard6892]

I have one she almost died she fell in my pool this summer so we love her she been there for 7 months she is a wonderful girl

[@vaporyspace6640]

my mom saved a rabbit with a broken leg

[@dp1582]

i hope your moms leg is doing better

[@justsomerandomchickenwithi2012]

Shoulda killed it

[@mycelleismybffl]

this is so inaccurate! my mom rescued a wild baby rabbit from drowning in our pool and we raised it and it lived with use for like 8 years...

[@MrTammier]

They don't live but a few yrs in the wild but 8yrs longer in captivity this lady is not being honest so I guess I will keep the baby I found today if he lives I took him away from my cat today he seems fine though.

[@mjdaniel8710]

I noticed a Cottontail digging under our back deck, we used to have a Lab so our yard has a picket fence and the rabbits, ducks and squirrels that come around feel safe, I also put out bird seed, I will leave it where it is unless there starts to be any damage to the house, it is used to us and does not run away when we are outside

[@user-zp6lp5xk7b]

I need help,one of my dogs killed a wild rabbit and it has 3 babies and it’s right by my house and my siblings rabbit just died and we still have some stuff for it and I was wondering if you could put that stuff with the baby rabbits because I can’t watch it because you look around two weeks old and I’m be gone for like two weeks. What should I do?

[@kaylencoggins.isofficial]

If I find on I'm keeping it

[@rypdx]

Fuck that I have 2wild rabbits

[@diybeautychannel1968]

same :)

[@rypdx]

***** momma left them , i live out in the woods and they stayed there without mom coming back, i took care of them

[@EikonOfFire]

I have a question: I have a wild rabbit that I have kept in a rabbit cage since it was 3-4 weeks old for 7 months now. I can't afford to take care of it so I want to let it go, but I have this fear that if I let it go, will it get attacked? I've been feeding it and taking care of it and it's practically an adult now. So, should I let it go where there are a bunch of other wild rabbits? Will it's survival instinct kick in? It's a cottontail rabbit by the way.

[@user-xv2dl5pi5y]

I got a wild rabbit in my house as a pet, I personally think the interor enviroment for it is pretty cozy to it, because most of the time it's lying on the ground and flip it's belly to top when sleeping.

[@mexi-ph7rs]

I’m keeping it anyway, cry about it

[@citrus3s]

I have three baby rabbits and we have no rehabilitator in my area and there’s a coronavirus outbreak. Looks like I’m keeping them :/ I don’t have a choice. (But I will be feeding them goat milk out of a syringe and letting them go when I feel like there ready)

[@danijelaleksi7130]

Hi what's the update on ur rabits!!!

[@lexi5422]

my dog just brought in a baby bunny :/ any tips? and how is yours doing?

[@Korriewithak]

question for anyone thats kept a wild one they found at a young age, did you take it to the vet for shots or to get spayed/neutered? ik domesticated rabbits are encouraged to, so im wondering if its the same for wild ones.

[@memelord6356]

I was wondering if there are any things that I would throw outside that the rabbits would like? Sometimes I make to much lettuce and carrot can i just throw out the rest, should I stop or is it ok and is there anything else they would like?

[@GreenWormJello]

My holland lop mix, Leo, was found by the SPCA as a stray, he is a little hyper-vigilant of sounds and is easily startled but is otherwise a very sweet, energetic and curious little guy. PEOPLE DO NOT RELEASE YOUR RABBIT INTO THE WILD. Pet bunnies do not last long outdoors and when they do survive and are found by shelters they are usually in quite bad condition. Domestic rabbits are not MEANT to be outdoors, they easily contract skin diseases, they normally can't digest outside grass and leaves in the same way, they don't have the same instincts to run and hide from predators or fight them off, and beyond that because rabbits create such close bonds with their owners it is very distressing to them to be separated from those owners. All they know is that they've been abandoned by their herd and now everything is out to get them. If you can't take care of your rabbit anymore then PLEASE take it to a shelter or rehome it with someone you trust.

[@georgebush3401]

My bunny has been free ranging for about a year. Comes and goes as it wants... eats all types of sticks leaves, grass. We feed her food scraps.... she got pregnant by the bunny across the st... she has 5 babies in my shed right not

[@DieHardThunderhead96]

Why can't you have a wild rabbit as a pet? I have had a total of 3 cottontails as pets. My first one was a buck. He lived till 3 years old. We had him since he was 3 weeks old. 2 years ago we acquired a cottontail doe, about the same age as the buck, and raised her. We still have that doe and she is doing amazing. We just recently acquired a 15 day old cottontail kit and we are feeding it goat's milk and it is doing very well. The first 2 were being harrassed by either a cat or a dog, and the second one's home was destroyed by the neighbor. If you handle them enough, they make amazing pets. But if you are thinking of turning them back out into the wild, don't have them learn to drink from a water bottle or eat pelleted feed because once you start providing for that rabbit, they loose all ability to find the stuff out in the wild. ~SDR

[@alexlloyd2181]

you might be able to care for a wild rabbit but most everyone else cant also its illegal

[@DieHardThunderhead96]

Haha show me the legal document saying it is illegal to keep a wild rabbit. And really everyone with common sense can raise up a wild rabbit. It's a no-brainer.

[@xaviergoodwin4806]

Don't most rabbits live to be in their teens at the most? I just looked it up, the average for wild rabbits is about 10 years, and for hares about the same. Also, keeping any wild animal, especially ones that breed like, well rabbits, is illegal. Offhand, keeping wild rabbits is illegal in australia at least

[@DieHardThunderhead96]

Xavier goodwin Nope, not the wild ones. Domestic rabbits live till they are around 10, but wild rabbits don't live that long, because they either get eaten by wolves and coyotes or they die of disease. They live just long enough to reproduce.

[@xaviergoodwin4806]

but this is captivity, not the wild. If you are caring for him correctly, which means no diseases, trauma, or predators, then he should be atleast living for 7 or 8 years.www.psu.edu/dept/nkbiology/naturetrail/speciespages/cottontail.htm

[@rezaplays8178]

The rabbit is soooooo cute and is sooo calm

[@eejadventures_yt8602]

I have an injured bunny with a broken spine and the mother abandoned them when they were only a few days old. I am keeping it till they are older and I am going to release it somewhere bc there are way to many dogs here

[@Krazycutiegurlxxx]

I rescued some baby cottontails- the way to tell if they're abandoned or not is to place some heavy yarn over the top of the nest (A few strands) and wait for at least two days to see if the mom comes and feeds them (The yarn will be moved but might still be over the nest) I waited 3 and a half days and when i decided to take the babies out they were starved and cold. I kept them and fed them for about 2 weeks and 3/5 survived (One hid under the covers and died for reasons i still don't know, the other jumped out of the basket i had them in when i turned around with it open and was mortally injured) I fed them one part goat milk and one part kitten milk replacement from a pet store. I gave them treats and lettuce a few days before i released them. I also bought a kitten milk bottle to feed them with (It's a big large for them but it still works good) Just posting this for anyone who found a nest and wanted to know what to do. Theres a 90% death rate for rescued cottontails, so i was lucky. You have to be diligent especially as they get over a week old, because they're very fast, curious and derpy. Also if they're so young that they haven't had much contact with the mother they will most likely die from not getting needed gut bacteria from her- gross as it is the only way around that is to find some cottontail poo and make the babies eat it. Which is pretty gross. If they've already grown hair it's probably not needed.

[@whatisyourbloodtype]

I found 5. I wanted to keep them, but the right thing to do is let them live at a wildlife nature preserve.

[@iTzCaptVoltse]

urmright my father got us baby wild rabbit then it died 3/4days :(

[@ellarose8884]

I need help! My friend and I where at my dads friends house for a party. He said he had two rabbits so we looked for them. They sat underneath a dirty shed with no food or water and they had (sounds minging) but actual poo that got clogged in there fur stuck in there bum and had gunk all over there eyes. My friend and I snuck veg and rabbit treats to the back garden and gave the rabbits water but they need a new home and I can’t phone the SSPCA on one of my dads best friends! What do I do?

[@shredbacca]

I ran over a nest while moving and i put the babies in a tub and left a square where the nest is and pit them right back in the nest and some of them ran off when the mower went over the nest and i just want to know if the one that ran off will get killed or live they were about the size of a tennis ball and there is one left in the next

[@Galaxy-gy9fs]

hmm it can't be that hard Ima keep it (not illegal in my state) (definitely not sarcasm) (except that im keeping the bunny)

[@jaysnipes7651]

what if there wild bunnies you raised from babies and you know they will not make it in the wild?

[@SarahBevElizabeth]

B I T C H Y What did you feed them? I just found a newborn

[@xoxoveronica]

SarahBev Kitten milk or goat milk is perfect I am currently feeding mine with kitten milk and she loves it I use a bottle that I got at petsmart it it’s a very thin and small nipple just perfect for the little mouth. Once it gets older you can start feeding it alafalfa hay, carrots, and rabbit/bunny pellets

[@WildTexasBunnies]

I love how as soon as they try to demonstrate the ear size, the suggested videos block the bunny's ears. 😂

[@Loviekinz]

I just found the 2nd rabbit nest in my backyard this year. First time I ever found nests in my yard, and now I've found 2. 1st one, my dog found. THANKFULLY she was on a leash and she got a mouth full of the grass/fur over the nest - no babies got harmed. For a week I used a leash until one day the babies were gone. I did check them every other day, I saw eyes open and ears erect so I knew they'd be leaving, and one morning the nest was empty. And this time, my dad was mowing the lawn and saw a baby running all over the yard. It isn't hurt, but I saw it was very tiny and it didn't look quite ready to be out yet. So I looked in my yard, and behind the gate of a little fence I have around my cats grave, I found a nest with 2-3 more babies inside. So I carefully(with glove) moved baby into a box and carried it back down to the nest and put it back. My yard is big so I'm not sure it would have found it's way home. Thankfully none were harmed by my dad doing the lawn! Hopefully it isn't too scared, and hopefully mom is okay with it since I used a glove and didn't touch it with my hand. My dogs kept sniffing the area and trying to stick their head through the gate and I didn't know why.... now I do. WHY RABBITS WHY?

[@AshleighLeighanne]

Aww but the rabbits I see are cute

[@blossombuddies2875]

What if you find a rabbit that is obviously a domesticated breed? Let's just say I found a holland lop or a rabbit along the lines of that outside? Should I take the rabbit in and use an extra cage I have for a little and then take the rabbit to the vet? If I shouldn't take the bunny in then why not?

[@Danny_Does_Drawings]

Lily Blossom You absolutely should if it even looks remotely domesticated. They don't have any survival skills and most often die from predators.

[@sappsabotage3701]

Blossom Buddies definitely if it doesn't look like a wild bunny cuz people like to release their pet rabbits into the wild for some foolish reason

[@zenap5298]

We found a baby rabbit in a bog I’d say he waaasssss 2-3 months old. We had him for about 6 months in our house! He’s alive as ever and still hyper as hell lol He pissed on my moms alarm clock yesterday O.o

[@patriciawaites8495]

I rescued a newborn cottontail rabbit (won’t go into detail) eyes still closed. Even had him neutered. He lived inside my house with my 2 other bunnies until he was 10 years and 4 months old. I named him Lickie because he started licking my hand within days of rescuing him and while feeding him. Best little pet. He got along well with my other house bunnies. Loved him to pieces.

[@rozlehmann8625]

My rabbit died today and I really miss her before we berried her I gave her a pat and all her blood had frozen up she died from an un known coz :(

[@bobbyc1138]

Turn your heartache to The Loving God Lord Jesus...He loves you and pets too...believe in Lord Jesus as your Savior from this cruel world do you read the bible? Start with the Gospel of John receive snd live for Him is God in the human body. There are animals in. Heaven

[@baseafterbase1048]

frog That’s rude

[@kallienutter4112]

I lost my rabbit once for three days and he mated with a wild rabit but we found him

[@emilyvelez5128]

i used to have a wild rabbit and it was a pretty great pet.today,my dads friend was outside taking care at a bunch of baby rabbits for 3 hours ,they were the same color as the rabbit from this video and on his way home in the sidewalk he believed it was the babys rabbits mother but it was dead so he took all 7 baby rabbits at his home and he let me keep 2 and there really great cause im kind of gentle of them

[@lilym6993]

Ok I need advice ASAP My cat is an indoor/outdoor cat She was out night one night and when I woke up for my morning jog a baby bunny was at my door, I don't know what to do. It isn't injured, but I am not sure what to do. We are taking it to the vet tomorrow and we hope we get help from them, but any advice till then would be great, btw I looked to see a mother but I couldn't find one, my cat wonders pretty far so it could be a long way where the mother is, Any Advice????

[@coachchristinevoll]

how did you get that bunny

[@Cherry-mm9cv]

Its a typical Home-bunny.

[@VicMeep]

Ye

[@SophieMelissa]

She’s says at the end, she’s not a wild rabbit

[@PrincessofKeys]

I would just keep it

[@Deadvous]

My dad caught a wild rabbit years ago and we had a domestic one as wells the same time and they bred and we had a couple litters but then we eventually gave them up. The only difference I noticed behaviorally was that the wild one nipped us every once and a while and the same with the babies

[@francescawinter6257]

I have a house bunny who likes to go play in the grass but sometimes she goes outside unsupervised I don’t know how she does it and there’s lots of dogs around but she somehow does fine.

[@CandyKidChan]

Make a video on how to know if a video is good or not

[@earth2aria]

First comment Hey howcast do have a video on how to catch a wild rabbit? If not, could you make one?

[@skylarmcmeans3815]

Can i keep my domestic rabbits in an outside cage? We planned on building a giant cage that we cant set outdoors so they would have more room. (We have 2 adults and 6 babies). Really need the advice! Thank you

[@ian_b]

The past few weeks the road I walk down to work has been filling with more and more rabbits. There are little rabbits everywhere. They must be breeding like... well, you get the idea.