How To Tell If A Rabbit Is In Labor
Introduction
If you’re raising rabbits, you know how exciting this is: your rabbit is pregnant, and the time has almost come for that litter of beautiful bunnies to enter the world. But how can you tell if your rabbit is in labor? What are the signs that delivery is imminent? What if something goes wrong? In this post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about a pregnant doe (that’s female rabbit) as she prepares to become a mom.
How To Tell If A Rabbit Is In Labor
You can tell if a rabbit is in labor by observing her behavior. If she:
- has a higher than normal body temperature, panting and/or open mouth breathing
- makes noise (the noises vary from squeaking to howling)
- eats less, drinks more and/or consumes more hay or greens as her hormone levels rise
- digs more often than usual (this may include digging up the cage floor)
Let’s talk about the rabbit’s body in the last weeks of pregnancy
The most obvious sign that a rabbit is in labor is contractions. You might see these as the rabbit’s body starts to change, but it could also be too early to tell. In the last weeks of pregnancy, you can expect to see your rabbit eating less and drinking more. She may also start digging and cleaning her cage, preparing for delivery by making a nest for the kits to come out into.
The rabbit will start to dig and clean the cage a lot before labor
The rabbit will start to dig and clean the cage a lot before labor. This is because she needs to prepare for the litter of kits. This can be both a good sign that she’s about to deliver soon, but also a warning sign that could mean something more serious is going on with your rabbit.
If you notice that your rabbit has been digging more than usual and cleaning its cage—and this behavior suddenly stops—you should consult a veterinarian immediately.
The pregnant rabbit will eat less and drink more than usual
If the pregnant rabbit is eating less and drinking more than usual, it’s possible that she is experiencing some of the symptoms of labor. This may be because she has gone into labor and is not feeling hungry or because she is dehydrated from all her contractions. It could also mean that she is nervous about giving birth, so she’s drinking more water to calm herself down.
The pregnant rabbit will start preparing her nest a few days before delivery
You may notice that your pregnant rabbit starts to dig and clean her cage a lot before labor. She will also eat less, drink more, and become more restless than usual. You can tell your rabbit is in labor when she starts preparing her nest a few days before delivery. This can be seen as fluffy bedding piled up in one corner of the cage. The bag of waters will also be visible a few days before delivery.
You can see the bag of waters a few days before delivery
You can see the bag of waters a few days before delivery. If you examine your rabbit, you should be able to feel a bulge below her tail, where the baby is located. This is called the “bag of waters,” and it’s a membrane that surrounds your rabbit’s baby.
When the bag of water breaks, fluid will leak out into her genital area and make it swell up even more than usual—and this is something that happens right before labor begins!
The pregnant rabbit may nibble around her genital area and lick it a lot
If you notice that your rabbit is spending a lot of time nibbling around her genital area and licking it, she may be in labor. This is because rabbits often lick themselves after giving birth to their kits. If you notice that the gestation period has passed and your rabbit isn’t showing any signs of labor, contact a veterinarian for advice about whether to induce labor or wait longer.
The rabbit’s nipples are going to be very big and swollen with milk
When a rabbit gives birth, her nipples will become very big and swollen. This is because when they are full of milk, they can’t retract back into their normal position. If you look at your rabbit’s nipples right now, would they be noticeably bigger than usual? If so, that’s a sign that she may be pregnant or in labor!
Preparation is key
- Make sure the rabbit is in a safe place.
- Make sure the rabbit has a clean cage.
- Make sure the rabbit has a clean water bowl, and make sure it’s filled with fresh water every day.
- Make sure that your rabbit has food available to her at all times (the ideal diet is 50% hay and 50% pellets). If she eats less than this amount, you should increase the proportion of hay in her diet until she’s eating as much as she needs to maintain good health—this might mean keeping some hay in an easily accessible spot so that your pet can nibble on it whenever she likes. Don’t forget about treats! They’re an important part of any rabbit’s life!
Conclusion
You should now have enough information to be able to tell if your rabbit is in labor. It can be a very scary experience, so it’s best to do everything you can to keep an eye on her. If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian right away. If they are not available, then call an emergency vet clinic immediately. Good luck!