Is it possible to keep/domesticate a wild cottontail rabbit?

[Mrs. PBJ]

I just wanted to add about fixing him/her. No vet will do it so he/she will suffer from wanted to breed all the time.

What if you have a female and she thinks of your yard as a safe haven for her babies then you could have cotton tails in your yard for many many years to come.

I would leave her/him and let nature happen. You never known she/he could live for 4 year with you helping protect that little bunny but do it with the bun where it is supposed to be.

Kat

 

[Luluznewz]

I think as people we have the bad habit of pushing our own needs and beliefs on animals. We tend to think that they think like us and need the same things, when in fact they really really do not.

I think the point is the rabbit would rather live a short life outside then a "long" one trapped in a house. It would be completely terrified and very very unhappy. That being said it probably wouldnt even survive in captivity anyway. Animals are supposed to be outside all the time, whatever happens. I wouldnt even block him off in your backyard. I think it would be best to allow him to do what he needs to do.

It would be great if you provided water and lots of secure hiding places if he wants to use them. Its nice that your yard can be a safe place, but I would really hope you have the maturity to understand that any kind of containment really would just be for your benefit, even if its hard to admit that.

Wild rabbits arn't supposed to be "safe" from predators all the time. They are just supposed to be free, even if that means risking being eaten.

He sees you as a predator too. Maybe it would be best to allow the rabbit to have a full life. It sounds like you want whats best for him, and you have been given great ideas on how to help him in a respectful way. Taking him into the house would be like if a huge scary thing kidnapped you and forced you to stay in some unimaginable dreamland. Can you imagine what that would feel like?

I think its really great you want to help, just make sure that your actions would actually be helpful to him. It sounds like your plan to allow him to be outside is great.

 

[Daenerys]

Luluznewz wrote:

I think as people we have the bad habit of pushing our own needs and beliefs on animals. We tend to think that they think like us and need the same things, when in fact they really really do not.

I think the point is the rabbit would rather live a short life outside then a "long" one trapped in a house. It would be completely terrified and very very unhappy. That being said it probably wouldnt even survive in captivity anyway. Animals are supposed to be outside all the time, whatever happens. I wouldnt even block him off in your backyard. I think it would be best to allow him to do what he needs to do.

It would be great if you provided water and lots of secure hiding places if he wants to use them. Its nice that your yard can be a safe place, but I would really hope you have the maturity to understand that any kind of containment really would just be for your benefit, even if its hard to admit that.

Wild rabbits aren't supposed to be "safe" from predators all the time. They are just supposed to be free, even if that means risking being eaten.

He sees you as a predator too. Maybe it would be best to allow the rabbit to have a full life. It sounds like you want whats best for him, and you have been given great ideas on how to help him in a respectful way. Taking him into the house would be like if a huge scary thing kidnapped you and forced you to stay in some unimaginable dreamland. Can you imagine what that would feel like?

I think its really great you want to help, just make sure that your actions would actually be helpful to him. It sounds like your plan to allow him to be outside is great.

I just want to second everything said in this post.

You can't protect someone from all dangers in this world, so you just have to consider whats best for them. For Rupert, that would be letting him live as he was meant to, which is without confinement, free to do as he wants.

You also have to remember that rabbits have adapted to deal with predators, they have ways to avoid getting caught and eaten. They have their long, powerful back legs to run fast, their eyes on the sides of their head to give them a wider range of vision, their long ears for better hearing, etc. He is not a helpless creature, he can take care of himself.

 

[DeniseJP]

RandomWiktor wrote:

There is no truedilemma if you look at the situation objectively. Plainly enough, if you love and care for this animal, its best interests rather than yours should be at heart. Nature may have risks, but it is the only appropriate place for a wild animal. Bringing him indoors would protect him from natural damage, but expose him to the damaging physical and psychological effects captivity has on a wild animal - particularly a wild born animal that has been living free all this time.

Do not do it; you will kill him with your "kindness."

Well said... my thoughts exactly having wild cottontails on my farm... some make it and some do not... as sad as it seems to us, it is part of the circle of life.

Denise

 

[Bo B Bunny]

earthling wrote:

Bo B Bunny wrote:

PLEASE do not bother him. I did have a cottontail until about a week ago. She was 4 years old and disabled. Even though I raised her from a tiny baby she never did completely tame. She was very nervous and hard to handle but would come to us for treats and such. I always felt bad that I couldn't let her out to be the bunny she was supposed to be. As sad as it is, the chain of life is what it is. Your little friend is where he should be. I loved Clover with all my heart but would have been happy if she had been strong and not as friendly with us and our dogs/cats so that she could have been freed. Not because of some animal rights activism or anything but because the look that sometimes came across Clover's face when she was watching from her window......

*now I am crying for the first time in about 4 or 5 days.... I miss my little wild thing*

Firstly, I'm sorry for your loss. Iunderstand theconnection you had with Clover, Right now I have the sameconnection toRupert, the little cottontail out and about in my backyard.

Well 4 years old is double its life expentancy. Cottontails only survive an average of 2 years out in the wild. So, you should be happy and proud of yourself. Sure, Clover might have been heartbroken to not have been able to be outside, but deep down, I'm sure it felt safe and comfortable over time.

I would rather have the little cottontail, Rupert, who lives in my backyard, be inside my house than outside. The fear that he could be killed any day, tears me up inside. I know it's a selfish tought, but if I gave him a good and safe life, it would be worth it.


It's like a child, sometimes we do things that they do not like, but it's for their own good.

Actually, cottontails don't usually live more than a year and that's the lucky ones... and I'm sorry but you may have a "connection" with Rupert but you have no where near the connection I had with my Clover... I bottle fed, watered, rubbed her tummy to help her poop, she was like a newborn infant in my home when I got her. Still I would have been thrilled had she been healthy enough to release with a chance.... as it were, I would have been tossing her out to be coyote dinner.

In addition, I have talked to you in private and told you how absolutely dangerous it would be for Rupert to be caged...... injury due to fear, heart attack, and one other thing I haven't mentioned is that they carry a disease that can be transmitted to humans in certain conditions. When Clover was put down - I warned the doctor to be careful... we didn't handle her when she was having nose bleeds without gloves on.

I understand your fondness - we have several who live in our yard - but you will only be doing more harm to Rupert .... allow him to be the wild bunny that he is and enjoy him from afar.

I love bats..... but you don't see me trying to catch them to keep them.

 

[Daenerys]

Bo B Bunny wrote:

Actually, cottontails don't usually live more than a year and that's the lucky ones... and I'm sorry but you may have a "connection" with Rupert but you have no where near the connection I had with my Clover... I bottle fed, watered, rubbed her tummy to help her poop, she was like a newborn infant in my home when I got her. Still I would have been thrilled had she been healthy enough to release with a chance.... as it were, I would have been tossing her out to be coyote dinner.

Aww...that made me tear up :'(

 

[Bo B Bunny]

We loved Clover for who she was and who she was meant to be. Wild animals stay wild.. even wild mustangs keep that sense of free-spirit when they are brought into captivity.

 

[Daenerys]

Yep, just watch Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron XD

 

[Bo B Bunny]

We have several friends with mustangs. They are awesome horses with extremely cool personalities but not just anyone can ride the younger ones... great horses for gaming... very fast and eager!

 

[Daenerys]

You know what I did after posting that? I just had to go watch that movie for the 20th time...heheh

 

[Willow]

My female rabbit, Eve, has escaped twice before and returned the next day and then has had wild babies and i've found that no matter how much you try to tame them they will always be skitsy and wont trust you.

These are my babies
You can see black mum in background

Unfortunately I had to sell them though

Willow

 

[Orrin]

We rescued a near-death cottontail that had been injured by a cat. We nursed it back to health and when it was mature we released it back to the wild. Angelo (Bun-Bun for short) knew its name and would come to me for treats when I called him. I loved him to death; and, because I loved him I let him go back to his wild home.

It tore me up, inside; but, I did the right thing. We adopted the two rescues pictured in our avatar because they were the same color as Bun-Bun. Nothing else would do. The rescues have filled our lives with joy; but, I still cannot bear to look at my pictures of Bun-Bun because I miss him so.

But, we did the right thing. Wild animals belong in the wild. Find a domestic rabbit pair and you'll grow to love them.

 

[jsjjane]

We rescued a near-death cottontail that had been injured by a cat. We nursed it back to health and when it was mature we released it back to the wild. Angelo (Bun-Bun for short) knew its name and would come to me for treats when I called him. I loved him to death; and, because I loved him I let him go back to his wild home.

It tore me up, inside; but, I did the right thing. We adopted the two rescues pictured in our avatar because they were the same color as Bun-Bun. Nothing else would do. The rescues have filled our lives with joy; but, I still cannot bear to look at my pictures of Bun-Bun because I miss him so.

But, we did the right thing. Wild animals belong in the wild. Find a domestic rabbit pair and you'll grow to love them.

Your new buns are adorable and I really get the heartbreak of letting Bun-Bun go. Your love is huge.

 

[thegoodviewgirl]

Well, I'm a newbie here and reading this thread, after getting scolded by Angie, the admin, for asking her advice at the welcoming message... I put a search out for info on cottontails, and found a laugh, a tou'che(? Spelling), and a cry...then pasted my first offense here...Sorry, Angie, it won't happen again. Please forgive me.
Anyways...now it's, Thursday, April 10, 2020 @2:30am...and I truly need some help...soon. Thank you, ahead of time, it is APPRECIATED!!!

Thanks, for the help navigating this harie place...ok. Really, I'm in need of a little information. Cotton tails, came to me after cats found their nest. I've fed them once, they're liking that. But, I can't seem to get them to poop. I've only had them since 10 o'clock last night, they were in good shape considering the evil cat attack. Hopefully, they'll survive their injuries. Surprisingly, they're in pretty good spirits, but sore. Tell me, am I worrying too soon about the lack of no pooping thing? I've feed them, after the first try at elimination. Then. I didn't want them to bloat, (cuz, I did my homework), so, it was a small feeding. Getting afphodolis pills in the morn, then feeding and trying to pooping the cuties again...I'll try before feeding and then again, after, if they haven't gone yet. I hope you understand what I'm talking about...I must be tired...lol. I'll take any advice you have, just don't tell me, I'm/they're doomed...I just don't believe in mortality. Thanks so, much. tgvg

 

[thegoodviewgirl]

Also, my first post was off topic, but only three choices came up with a search of "cottontail newborns and help pooping...I was going for the key word angle.

I selected this thread, to try a get a rapid response...cuz, the info I need is time sensitive.

To get back and on topic, I intend to release these two as soon as they have a good amount of fur and eyes that are wide open. I figure, they'll be about the size of one of those giant jaw breakers that last forever. The white ones with spots, you find at fairs, or specialty candy stores...I guess it would be a hard ball size too..! That's teeny tiny, but, way past their years with wisdom and survival skills?! Lol I will hope for the best, I am for sure of one thing, they have a better chance than a lot of them do...these guys (cottontails) like to have a buddy, and often pal up with each other at all ages and these two will already have that, when they start out. But out they'll go, with my heart and best wishes, to be their ultimate best bubby selves. My last words to them will be, "STAY OUT OF THE ROAD!"

 

[thegoodviewgirl]

Well, I'm a newbie here and reading this thread, after getting scolded by Angie, the admin, for asking her advice at the welcoming message... I put a search out for info on cottontails, and found a laugh, a tou'che(? Spelling), and a cry...then pasted my first offense here...Sorry, Angie, it won't happen again. Please forgive me.
Anyways...now it's, Thursday, April 10, 2020 @2:30am...and I truly need some help...soon. Thank you, ahead of time, it is APPRECIATED!!!

Thanks, for the help navigating this harie place...ok. Really, I'm in need of a little information. Cotton tails, came to me after cats found their nest. I've fed them once, they're liking that. But, I can't seem to get them to poop. I've only had them since 10 o'clock last night, they were in good shape considering the evil cat attack. Hopefully, they'll survive their injuries. Surprisingly, they're in pretty good spirits, but sore. Tell me, am I worrying too soon about the lack of no pooping thing? I've feed them, after the first try at elimination. Then. I didn't want them to bloat, (cuz, I did my homework), so, it was a small feeding. Getting afphodolis pills in the morn, then feeding and trying to pooping the cuties again...I'll try before feeding and then again, after, if they haven't gone yet. I hope you understand what I'm talking about...I must be tired...lol. I'll take any advice you have, just don't tell me, I'm/they're doomed...I just don't believe in mortality. Thanks so, much. tgvg

(Thursday) Friday, it's Friday.

 

[Orrin]

When we rescued Bun-Bun we fed him kitten milk replacer with a wee bit of heavy cream added--fed with a small syringe. The one we are using here was
too big. The one-ml size would have been much better. A large syringe could squirt too much and get the milk into the babe's lungs. Bad.

We also gave him Oxbow juvenile rabbit pellets. He was pooping in no time flat. Be sure to set out a small bowl of water. Make sure it is small and shallow so that buns won't drown in it.

 

[Niomi]

North American Cottontails can't be domesticated and don't make good pets. I knew some people that kept one as a pet, but it would not allow them to handle it. When it needed a toenail trim, they had to put it in a wire bottom cage and cut the nails from under the cage as the stuck out of the wires. Domesticated rabbits are a different species of rabbits then cottontails and can't breed. If a domestic rabbit escapes and comes home pregnant, the father was not a cottontail.

 

[thegoodviewgirl]

The babies I have are 3 to 4 days old. Barely a glimmer of hair. One of their ears are just beginning to twitch. But hardly noticeable. They are eating awesomely, no pooping. But, it's only been since 10 o'clock last night. I was told a smidge of corn syrup in their food will do the trick...? We shall see later on with their next feeding. Their pretty content, otherwise. I really wish we could have found their nest. Looked and looked, but we couldn't find it. Fingers crossed, it's really all up to them and their will to live right now. But, I have confidence in my ability to get them out of the woods...lol. I should say, back into the woods...think good thoughts, for them. That energy can't be bad.