When Do Bunnies Open Their Eyes?

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Rabbits are adorable creatures, and baby rabbits are even cuter. So many people love keeping them as pets, but few understand how different they are on their first rodeo. For instance, I bet it caught you by surprise when your rabbit doe gave birth to her first litter, and the kittens didn’t open their eyes. Heck, you probably freaked. So now you’re wondering, ‘when do baby rabbits open their eyes?’

On average, it takes newborn kittens about 10 to 12 days (about two weeks) to open their eyes. However, some open their eyes earlier and later, depending on the breed and, in some cases, if they have an underlying health problem.

Let’s dive deeper into this phenomenon to understand why rabbits are born blind and what you can and cannot do during this period.

But first, the basics.

Bunny Kitten Basics

Before we get into why bunnies are born blind, here are some basic facts you should know about doe births and newborn baby rabbits.

  • A mother rabbit, like most animals, naturally prepares the nest for its newborns. She lines the nest with her fur to make it comfortable and safe.
  • When a mother rabbit gives birth, the process is called kindling
  • Newborn baby rabbits are called kittens.
  • Rabbits give birth to about seven kittens per kindling.
  • Rabbits nurse their kittens with dense and nutritious milk.
  • Newborn kits are born hairless, blind, and deaf. They’ll have some fur by the 7th day and develop a thick layer of fur by the 12th day. Between the 3rd and 12th month, the bunny will lose the soft baby fur and develop a sleeker adult coat.

Why Are Bunny Kittens Born Blind?

As a new mom, you’re expected to worry about when the rabbits open their eyes and what you’ll feed them. You cannot go wrong with young rabbit food. They are often made high in protein and fiber, which help the kittens grow and develop healthily.

As for being blind, there are a couple of reasons why it happens:

To Protect Their Eyes From Harm

Bunny kitten eyes are delicate and fragile organs, especially after birth. At this time, they aren’t fully developed, and hence they are vulnerable to damage from different circumstances and things.

For instance, as the newborn rabbit hurdle and wiggle around in the nest box, they rub against each other and may damage each other’s eyes. Aside from this, bright light or wind can also damage or hurt the kittens’ eyes.

A layer of pink skin covering the developing eyeballs is mother nature’s way of offering protection.

To Protect the Mother

Pregnancy takes a significant toll on the mother bunny. They are usually weak and make easy prey for predators. To improve the survival rate, mother nature speeds up/shortens the gestation period by channeling most of the mother’s energy into developing critical organs that ensure kittens can live outside their mother’s body. Eyes aren’t very important for life in a furry and warm nest.

While in the wild, being born blind helps the mother bunny leave the nest to fend for her kittens without worrying that they’ll wander out, exposing themselves to predators. Since she doesn’t have to leave with her bunnies, she can evade predators while looking for food.

How Long Are Baby Bunnies Blind?

As we’ve mentioned, the baby bunny’s eyes will open on the tenth day or the twelfth day. However, opening their eyes doesn’t mean they’ll see clearly. In fact, a kitten’s eyes are still developing even after they open. As such, they can only see items close to it, its brothers and sisters.

It takes a couple of weeks before a bunny kitten’s eyes are as strong as its parents’. Some breeds may take two months before your pet rabbit can see clearly.

Note: as baby rabbit eyes develop, you should keep bright lights away. Bright light can hurt their eyes even when they aren’t fully open.

Can I Help the Baby Bunny Open Its Eyes?

It can be worrying to notice one or two bunnies haven’t opened their eyes after 12 weeks. At this point, you might think of giving them a helping hand by forcing their eyes open. But no matter how strong the urge is, don’t do it, as it could lead to serious scarring, injury of facial nerves, blindness, or death.

If you’re worried for your kittens and the timeline to open their eyes has passed, consult a veterinarian. It might or might not be a serious issue. A couple of reasons the vet points out may include the following:

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is common in rabbit kittens, and the vet has seen their fair share of such scenarios. All your veterinarian needs to do is wipe off the crusty bits with warm water and a soft cloth, rub some antibiotic lotion, and have you on your way home for some care and monitoring.

Eye Infection

If it’s a bacterial infection, the vet will give you some antibiotic lotion you can apply to the kitten’s eyes yourself. You’ll apply it daily following strict instructions. After a few days of application, the kit’s eyes will open, ending your worry.

Genetics

Some bunnies are built differently from the rest, so their eyes may take longer. It’s just like human babies – although health institutions define milestones to help keep track of your child’s development, some children may hit the milestones earlier while others delay.

In this case, there’s no need for sensitive care or antibiotic lotions, but you need to ensure the bunny with delayed growth isn’t bullied by its peers.

How Can I Protect Baby Bunnies From Early Death?

Like all babies, bunny babies are vulnerable to predators, disease, and circumstances. A small mistake can cause a bunny to die, so it’s crucial that you take precautions to reduce infant mortality. Below are some steps you can take:

Give Enough Colostrum

In the event, their mother dies or is distant from her little ones, feed them with enough colostrum. Baby bunnies need this milk to survive. Consult your vet for the correct colostrum quantities and ensure you observe high levels of hygiene to avoid infections. After three weeks of kitten milk replacer or goat milk, you can start feeding the bunnies with solid food.

Be Delicate With the Bunnies

Bunnies are fragile, like eggs. A small mistake, and they will crack, never to recover. If the mother is being negligent or distant, you should step in to offer tender care. This means cleaning their nest properly and avoiding dangerous play like your toddlers handling the baby bunnies.

Be Extra Vigilant

Since this is the period when the bunnies are blind, anything can happen. Ensure you are keeping a close eye on them. Be watchful of weird mannerisms, and ensure you consult your vet if you notice anything off. This way, you can be sure the baby bunny is growing and developing healthily.

Age-Related FAQs

When Do Bunnies Start to Hear?

Rabbits are born deaf. Their ear canals open between the 5th and 7th day. However, their ears will continue growing in length and developing auditory clarity and sharpness

When Do Baby Bunnies Get Fur?

Baby rabbits get their first layer of fur about seven days after their birth. Some develop fur before their eyes open.

When Do Baby Bunnies Start Eating Solid Food?

The kittens will start nibbling on hay and pellets offered by their mother at about 3 or 4 weeks old. This is a natural process, and you shouldn’t discourage it.

Final Thoughts

Baby rabbits are delicate animals since they are born hairless, deaf, and blind. Mishandling them could lead to serious issues and even death.

If you notice baby bunny eyes haven’t opened after the natural timeline, consult a vet to determine the cause. Often it can be fixed with some medication. That said, keep bright lights away from baby bunnies to avoid damage.

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