When syringe feeding, the key is to make the process as calm and stress-free as possible. It helps to feed in a quiet area without noise or distraction, and make sure you’re well-prepared with everything you’ll need in easy reach.
As well as keeping your pet calm, it’s also best to keep them clean, as sores can develop on the skin if it’s dirty and damp. A handy tip is to use a baby’s bib to help protect the dewlap area from spilt food, and then gently clean around your pets mouth once you’ve finished.
Here’s how to syringe feed your rabbit:
- Add warm water to the powder following the guidelines on the packet, and mix thoroughly so it’s an even consistency
- Draw a small amount into the syringe
- Hold your rabbit in a natural position – one way to do this is to place them on a waist-high table facing away from you, then lean over and support their back. Other people find it easier to place the bunny on their lap, again facing away
- Gently hold the head – you can place your palm around the back of the head and put a finger and a thumb on either side
- With the other hand, gently insert the syringe into the side of your rabbit’s mouth, in the gap between their incisors and cheek teeth
- Provide about 1ml, then remove the syringe and allow the rabbit to finish the mouthful – make sure they chew and swallow before giving any more food
- Wipe the syringe between mouthfuls to get rid of accumulated food
Each rabbit will need a different amount of food depending on their size, so follow your vet’s instructions as to how much food to give your bun in total.
For RecoveryPlus, we advise giving one sachet per kilo of body weight per day, split over several feeds.