FI almost ran over a baby bunny

mocha beans

FI is out mowing the lawn, and came in with a baby bunny in his hand.  I don't think he hurt it, but we obviously can't find his family cause of the lawnmower noise, I'm sure they scattered.What do I do with baby bunny?  He's terrified and shoved himself in the box corner.  Will mama take him back with our smell on him?

Calypso1977

i would call the local animal shelter to see if they have advice.

salt78

If he isn't hurt, I'd put him back outside.

Soon-to-be Mrs. Vogt

Call the animal shelter, but if it looks like a bunny (not a hairless rat like infant bunnies), it's probably out on it's own already (which would explain why you can't find the family).Momma bunnies only stick around for a little while, for the most part.

danieliza1127

Unless you're planning to keep him for a pet, just put him back outside.

NcsuPsych

He'd probably do just fine if you put him back in the same spot your FI found him. . I'm not sure if the scent deal works the same way as it does with birds. . if you dont feel comfortable with doing this, I'd agree with pp, call a shelter and see what they'd say. We live out in the country and see little baby bunnies all over the place out here alone, but they scamper off into the woods to rejoin their families. ps.. you should totally take a picture    and give him/her some lettuce and carrots Good luck!!

aimerzkd214

Lioke a pp said call a vet or humane society type of place to find out what you should do, in the mean time do not touch him to much so hopefully the mommy eill take the baby back.

Soon-to-be Mrs. Vogt

Please don't give him lettuce...baby bunnies can't handle that kind of ruffage...their stomachs aren't developed enough yet. Adult rabbits get the trotts (teehee) from even a little bit of lettuce.

NcsuPsych

Sorry . . didnt realize bunnies cant have lettuce. . my neighbor gives her 15 veggies all the time . . .  I appologize!  Good luck with the little guy

mocha beans

He is too cute.  I don't want to keep him as a pet because the kitties will think he's a nice snack.  He's big enough to fit in my palm, that's it.I took lettuce out, thanks for the heads up, think tomato plant leaves will be okay, or something else from the garden?

Soon-to-be Mrs. Vogt

Sometimes they can handle it, especially with some build up to tolerating it...but I bet if you ask your neighbor, the bunny will have had loose stools when she first started feeding him that.No biggie - just doing my part to stop chronic bunny diarrhea

melishka716

tomato leaves are poisonous!

Puppylove*85

I would get the baby bunny outside, asap.  This will give the best chance for reunification with the mother.  The mom excretes special enzymes baby rabbits need in order to survive.  Here is a link with more information: http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/orphan.html

Soon-to-be Mrs. Vogt

I'm not sure about tomato plants, but might be cautious because of the acid in tomatos...not sure if it extends to the leaves. Do you have any carrots or cucumbers or their leaves? Alfalfa or grass is their preference if you have that. Can you take him outside and let him hop around in the grass in a contained area? He may be content to just nibble that way.

mocha beans

I always see the other bunnies eating grass, so I just ripped up some of that and put it down for him in the big rubbermaid tote we have him in.  We'll just put him back where we found him when FI is done with the lawn mower and weed wacker.

ebarno

He is fine.  Put him back and leave him alone.  If he still needs his momma bunny, she will still love him.  Most wild bunnies die in captivity, he is better off without you

DiorAndKisses

Ditto pp...I think you should call an animal rescue or vet, and I remember something about tomato plant leaves being very bad for dogs.  Not sure if same goes for bunnies.  It's sweet of you to be putting so much energy and effort into helping the little guy.  Kudos to that.

mocha beans

We put him back into the daylily bush that we scared him out of. He's still scared, but he disappeared a few minutes after we left him alone.