My Dog Caught a Baby Bunny: What Should You Do?

My dog caught a baby bunny, as a dog owner, witnessing your furry friend catch a baby bunny can be both surprising and concerning. 

While dogs are natural hunters, handling such situations with care is essential. 

In this article, we’ll explore what you should do if your dog catches a baby bunny and how to ensure the safety of both your dog and the little rabbit.

My Dog Caught a Baby Bunny Dogs vs. Bunnies: A Delicate Balance

When a pregnant rabbit digs her den (usually a deep rabbit hole) in your backyard, you might find yourself hosting rabbits as unexpected guests for a few months. 

Cottontail rabbits create nests in small depressions in the grass, lined with fur from the mother and loosely covered with grass. Unfortunately, dogs and cats often discover these nests and may harm the babies. 

As much as we adore our dogs, their instincts can clash with wildlife, even if the bunnies are irresistibly cute.

What If Your Dog Catches a Rabbit?

Leave It Be

If your dog catches a rabbit but doesn’t hurt or kill it, the best course of action is to leave it alone. According to Nancy Campbell, a registered Veterinary Technician, healthy baby bunnies likely have a mother out there hunting or scouting a new area. 

Taking them away from their habitat can be detrimental to their survival. Wild rabbits do not thrive in captivity, and bringing in baby bunnies may inadvertently sign their death warrant. Momma rabbit only visits the nest twice a day to feed her young, so imagine her returning to an empty nest!

Ensuring Your Dog’s Safety

While our hearts go out to wildlife, remember that your dog’s well-being comes first. Here are some steps to ensure your dog’s safety:

• Supervise: Keep an eye on your dog when outdoors to prevent further bunny-catching incidents.
• Training: Train your dog to respond to commands like “leave it” or “drop it.”
• Flea and Tick Prevention: Regularly check your dog for fleas and ticks, especially after any wildlife encounters.

Remember, compassion toward animals is admirable, but respecting their natural habitats is equally important. So, if your dog ever catches a baby bunny, follow these guidelines to promote the well-being of both your dog and the little rabbit.

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My Dog Caught a Baby Bunny: A Tale of Compassion and Survival

It was a sunny afternoon when I decided to take my dog, Rocky, for a walk in the park. Rocky is a friendly and playful Labrador who loves to chase anything that moves. 

As we were strolling along the grassy path, I noticed a small brown creature darting out of a bush. It was a baby bunny, no bigger than my palm. Before I could react, Rocky spotted it too, and ran after it with a loud bark.

I panicked and shouted for Rocky to stop, but he was too fast and excited. He caught up with the bunny and pounced on it, pinning it down with his paws. 

I feared the worst and ran towards them, hoping to save the poor bunny from Rocky’s jaws. But to my surprise, Rocky did not bite or harm the bunny. He just sniffed it curiously and licked its fur gently. The bunny was terrified and tried to wriggle free, but Rocky did not let go.

I reached them and gently pulled Rocky away from the bunny. I expected the bunny to run away as soon as it was free, but it did not. It stayed still on the ground, trembling and panting. 

I picked it up carefully and examined it for any injuries. It seemed unharmed, but very scared and weak. I wondered if it was separated from its mother or if it had any siblings nearby. I felt sorry for the little creature and took it home with me.

I put the bunny in a cardboard box with some grass and water and placed it in the back seat of my car. Rocky sat next to me, looking confused and curious. 

He whined and tried to reach the box, but I told him to stay calm and leave the bunny alone. I drove home and called a local wildlife rescue center. They told me to bring the bunny to them as soon as possible, so they could check its health and release it back to the wild.

I followed their instructions and drove to the rescue center. They thanked me for saving the bunny and took it to their clinic. They told me that the bunny was a female and about two weeks old. They said that she was lucky to survive Rocky’s attack and that she would recover soon. 

They also said that they would try to find her a suitable habitat and a new family. They asked me if I wanted to name her or adopt her, but I declined. I knew that she belonged to the wild and not to me.

I said goodbye to the bunny and wished her well. Rocky seemed sad and confused, but I praised him for being gentle and compassionate. I told him that he did a good thing and that the bunny would be happy and safe. 

He wagged his tail and licked my face as if he understood. We drove back home, feeling proud and grateful for our encounter with the baby bunny.

When a dog catches a rabbit, what do they do?

When dogs catch a rabbit, their instincts kick in. Depending on the dog’s breed, temperament, and training, they may exhibit various behaviors:

• Chasing: Dogs often chase rabbits due to their prey drive. It’s an instinctive behavior.

• Capture: If successful, some dogs may catch the rabbit. They might hold it in their mouth or paw.

• Play or Kill: Some dogs treat the rabbit as a plaything, while others may instinctively kill it. This behavior varies.

• Retrieve: Retrievers or hunting breeds might bring the rabbit back to their owner.

My dog killed a baby bunny, should I be worried?

It’s essential to consider a few factors:

• Health Risks: Rabbits can carry diseases or parasites. Observe your dog for any signs of illness.

• Emotional Impact: Witnessing your dog kill a bunny can be distressing. Take care of your emotional well-being.

• Training: To prevent such incidents, consider training your dog to avoid chasing or harming small animals.

My dog ate a baby bunny

Monitor: Keep an eye on your dog. If they show signs of distress, vomiting, or diarrhea, consult a vet.

• Potential Risks: Ingesting wild animals can pose health risks. Rabbits may carry parasites or pathogens.

• Prevention: To prevent future incidents, supervise your dog outdoors and work on recall training.

Remember, each dog is unique, and their behavior can vary. Consult a veterinarian if you have concerns about your dog’s actions or health. 

Can dogs get sick from baby bunnies?

Dogs can indeed get sick from baby bunnies, especially if the bunnies are infected with certain diseases. One notable disease is tularemia, caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Dogs may be exposed to tularemia through insect bites or by killing or eating an infected rabbit or rodent.

Symptoms in dogs can include poor appetite, lethargy, mild fever, conjunctivitis, uveitis (eye inflammation), draining abscesses, and enlarged lymph nodes. If you suspect your dog has been exposed to tularemia, consult a veterinarian promptly.

Is bunny poop harmful to dogs? 

Generally, bunny poop is not harmful to dogs. Since most of the feces from rabbits are made up of undigested grass and hay, eating them is unlikely to do any harm. 

However, parasites present in rabbit feces can cause sickness. If your dog ingests a small amount of rabbit poop, it’s unlikely to be a problem. Still, it’s essential to monitor your dog’s health and seek veterinary advice if needed.

What can I do to prevent my dog from spotting rabbits?

To prevent your dog from catching rabbits, consider the following:

• Training: Train your dog from a young age to ignore bunnies. Use treats and commands to distract them.

• Exercise: Ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise to reduce their desire to chase.

• Leash Control: Use a leash or long line during walks to maintain control and prevent chasing.

• Barriers: Use temporary fencing to protect rabbit nests in your yard

How do I keep my baby rabbit safe from my dog? 

To protect baby rabbits from your dog:

• Avoid Disturbing Nests: If you discover a rabbit nest, avoid disturbing it. Mother rabbits care for their young during specific times of the day.

• Replace Fur: Replace all of the furs within the nest and cover it with dry grass if it has been disturbed. The mother may return to care for her babies.

• Touch All Babies: If you need to place a baby back in the nest, touch all the babies so they smell the same. The mother won’t reject them if you handle them.

Remember that each dog and rabbit situation is unique, so observing and understanding your specific pets’ behavior is crucial.

Conclusion

when faced with the situation where my dog caught a baby bunny it’s crucial to act calmly and responsibly. Prioritize the safety of both your dog and the bunny while respecting their instincts and habitats. 

Through supervision, training, and preventive measures, minimize the risk of harm and promote harmonious coexistence between your pet and wildlife.