How to Save Baby Bunnies From Dogs (What To Do)

So you want to save those adorable baby bunnies from those pesky dogs...

I hear ya. 😊

I mean, who wouldn't want to protect those little fluffballs from danger?

They're just so dang cute, it's hard not to feel a tug on your heartstrings.

But let's admit it, figuring out how to actually save them can be a bit of a challenge, can't it?

I mean, where do you even start?

It's enough to make you want to throw your hands in the air and give up.

But fear not, my friend.

In today's guide, I've got your back.

I'll show you exactly what to do when those bunnies are in peril, step by step.

Ready to be a bunny-saving hero?

Let's do this!

Safely Intervening: Rescuing a Baby Bunny from a Dog

Dogs can be a danger to baby bunnies, despite the adorable pictures you see on social media.

Let me break it down for you about how to rescue a baby bunny from a dog:

1. You gotta know that dogs have this instinct to chase and harm rabbits.
2. So, what you can do is make some loud noises like clapping or whistling to distract the dog and give those little bunnies a chance to run away.
3. Now, when you come across a nest of baby bunnies, don't go touching them unless they are hurt or dead. The momma rabbit might be hiding nearby, even if you can't spot her.
4. Take a look at the nest and check if any of the babies are injured or gone. If everything seems okay, just put them back in the nest and try to hide them from any predators.
5. To scare off nosy dogs, get creative with your distractions by using things like airhorns or banging metal pots. These sounds will send them running and keep the bunnies safe. 🐶
6. And lastly, don't stick around the nest for too long. We want to avoid attracting any big bad guys or unwanted attention.

My friend, it's up to us to protect these sweet baby bunnies from our canine buddies.

By causing some commotion and being careful around their nests, we can really make a difference.

And now that you've successfully intervened and rescued a baby bunny from a dog, let's shift our focus to examining the bunny for any visible wounds or signs of distress...

What to Do After Rescuing a Baby Bunny from a Dog

Inspect the rescued baby bunny carefully, looking for wounds or obvious signs of distress. Note any abnormal symptoms to remember when seeking professional assistance. You have to bear in mind that mother rabbits often leave their little ones alone for extended periods.

They only return a few times each day to feed and care for them.

Inspecting the rescued baby bunny is crucial after a difficult encounter with a dog.

You want to ensure its well-being and track any abnormalities.

To learn more about ensuring a safe and harmonious environment for rabbits and dogs, I highly recommend checking out Can Rabbits and Dogs Live Together, where I provide helpful insights and guidance

Providing Temporary Shelter and Care for Rescued Baby Bunnies

When caring for rescued baby bunnies, providing them with temporary shelter and care is crucial.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

1. Creating a suitable nest: If the original nest cannot be used, you should create an artificial nest in a shallow container lined with soft grass, leaves, and fur. Make sure it has a covered top for protection.
2. Understanding mother rabbit habits: Mother rabbits usually build shallow nests made of grass, leaves, and fur. They leave the nest to protect their young but return periodically to feed them. Recreate the nest as closely as possible, using available materials or dried grass, and hide the babies to avoid attracting predators.
3. Feeding schedule: Mother rabbits typically feed their babies between dusk and dawn. You can use the "string test" to check if the mother is returning. Do not disturb or move the nest to prevent abandonment.
4. Minimize stress and risks: Avoid frequent checks on the bunnies to reduce stress and the risk of attracting predators. Refrain from mowing the grass or pulling up dandelions, which are favorite foods for rabbits.
5. Injured bunnies: In cases of injured bunnies showing distress, place them in a box with bedding and a small hiding box. For eyes-closed bunnies, supplemental heat with a low-temperature heating pad can help.
6. Safe environment: Create a safe environment by minimizing interaction and placing the box in a quiet, warm area away from pets, children, and noise.
7. Aerial disturbances: If there are aerial disturbances, add a chicken wire top to create a secure cylindrical cage for the bunnies' safety.

Baby bunnies are challenging to care for and should not be kept as pets.

And now that we have covered the crucial steps for providing temporary shelter and care, let me guide you further in seeking assistance...

Seeking Professional Help for Rescued Baby Bunnies

Before contacting a wildlife rehabilitator, there are a few things you should do.

First, document the situation.

Take note of important details like where you found the baby bunnies, any injuries you noticed, and how they interacted with the dog. This information will help the professionals understand the situation better.

If you come across a rescued baby bunny that needs medical attention or appears injured, it's best to reach out to a wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.

They have the knowledge and experience to handle these situations properly.

However, if you are unable to care for the babies until they become independent, you need to contact animal control or a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center.

Caring for wildlife without permits is against the law.

Seeking professional help and involving the right authorities will ensure the best outcome for the rescued baby bunnies.

Remember, their well-being is the top priority. 🐇

And now, let's shift our focus to preventing future encounters and ensuring the safety of both rabbits and dogs:

Promoting Positive Dog-Rabbit Interactions to Ensure Future Safety

Reward dogs for calm behavior around rabbits

To ensure your dog stays safe around rabbits, you ought to train them to see rabbits as a positive thing.

You can do this by giving them treats or rewards whenever they're calm around rabbits.

By associating something tasty with these fluffy creatures, you're helping your dog form a good connection with them.

This will make them more likely to behave calmly and peacefully when they're near rabbits.

Understand breed tendencies when it comes to rabbits

It's worth noting that some dog breeds have a history of hunting rabbits.

Knowing this can help you better understand and manage your dog's behavior around rabbits.

If you have a breed known for their hunting instincts, you might need to take extra precautions and use specific training methods.

One way to redirect their natural instincts and ensure everyone's safety is by teaching them to ignore or distract rabbits using treats and commands.

Desensitize dogs to baby rabbits

Another important aspect of promoting positive dog-rabbit interactions is getting dogs used to baby rabbits. There are different techniques you can use to achieve this. For example, you can teach your dog to ignore toy bunnies while rewarding them for doing so. This reinforces the behavior of not showing aggression or interest towards rabbits.

This process of desensitization helps dogs develop a calmer and more neutral response to rabbits in general.

It's equally critical to protect rabbit nests from dogs and cats by keeping dogs leashed, bringing cats indoors, avoiding disturbances near the nest, setting up secure barriers, using flour to detect approaching animals, and installing motion-activated sprinklers or repellents around the nest perimeter.

And that's a wrap for today.

Before you leave, can I ask you something? Was my blog post helpful to you? If it was, I would be extremely grateful if you could share it with your loved ones. Simply click on any of the social media icons and instantly share away. Thank you so much!

Until next time,

-Lucy Larson