When Do Baby Rabbits Get Fur?

For new rabbit owners, few things are more exciting yet bewildering than the arrival of a litter of tiny, squirmy baby bunnies. At birth, the kits are little more than pink skin and appetites, seemingly helpless. Yet they develop at a remarkable pace, rapidly gaining fur, strength, and independence. Over a span of mere weeks, the blind, deaf newborns transform into active, fluffy youngsters scampering around their nest. But when exactly do those soft baby bunnies get their fur? And how does their coat change as they grow? Read on for a detailed guide to the fascinating process of fur growth and development in baby rabbits from birth through adolescence. You’ll gain great insight into bunny kit maturation!

What Does a Newborn Rabbit Look Like?

Newborn rabbits, also called kittens or kits, are born hairless, blind, and deaf. At birth, they weigh just 1-2 ounces and are about 2-3 inches long, about the size of a large strawberry. Their bodies are elongated with large back legs and small front legs. They have a very short tail.

Newborn rabbits have closed eyes and ears. Their eyes will begin to open at around 10-12 days old, and their ear canals will open at 8-10 days old. Until then, they cannot see or hear anything in their environment.

Baby rabbits have soft, delicate skin that is pink or blue-grey in color. They do not yet have a fur coat, so their bare skin will be exposed. The skin may be slightly translucent, allowing blood vessels to be visible underneath.

The babies have well-developed senses of smell and touch. These senses guide them toward their mother and enable them to find her teats to nurse. Initially, newborns cannot control their body temperature and rely on their mother and littermates for warmth.

Within their first week of life, baby rabbits will grow rapidly. Their weight often doubles within this time. Though still hairless, their legs and body will lengthen and become more proportional. Their skin will become opaque and take on a more typical coloration for the breed.

Can You Touch a Newborn Rabbit’s Fur?

Since newborn rabbits are born without any fur, touching their bare skin should generally be avoided for the first week or so after birth. There are a few reasons why handling newborns requires care:

• Their skin is extremely delicate and sensitive. Any unnecessary touching risks injuring them or introducing bacteria that could cause infection.

• Rabbit mothers are very protective of their young kits. Excessive handling of the babies could cause the mother to reject or even attack them.

• Newborns cannot regulate their body temperature well. Removing them from the nest can lead to chilling, which could be dangerous.

• Rabbits are a prey species, so they tend not to appreciate being stroked or handled much. It’s best not to accustom them to this.

• Frequent handling by humans during the first week can potentially interfere with bonding between the mother and kits. This is crucial for their development.

Once the babies pass one week of age, they will develop some fine, downy fur over their bodies. At this stage, very gentle stroking along their backs is possible. However, handling should still be minimized for the first 2-3 weeks. The exception is if the mother rabbit stops caring for them, in which case human intervention is required. Otherwise, it's best to allow the mother to nurse, groom, and care for her kits without much interference in these delicate early weeks.

When Will Baby Bunnies Get Fur?

Baby rabbits begin growing their first coat of fur when they are around 5-10 days old. At one week old, the fine, soft fur will become noticeable as a thin layer of down covering the kits' bodies. Their fur continues to increase in length and thickness over the next several weeks.

Here is a more detailed timeline of a rabbit kit's fur coat development:

• 1-3 days old: Pinkish-grey skin, no fur. Skin may appear translucent.

• 4-5 days old: Fine fur starts to erupt on nose, ears, limbs, and torso.

• 1 week old: Soft, short fur covers the body fairly evenly. Fur on ears and limbs is more visible.

• 2 weeks old: Fur coat is fuller and plush but still very short. Color patterns emerge.

• 3 weeks old: Fur is thicker and longer, about 1/4 inch over the back.

• 4 weeks old: Fur approaches 1/2 inch long. Babies shed downy baby fur.

• 6-8 weeks old: Adult-like fur reaches full length and density. Fur shedding completes.

As they pass 4 weeks of age, the bunnies undergo a shedding process where they lose their initial downy fur. Their mature, adult-length fur replaces it. By 8 weeks old, rabbits have achieved their adult coats. However, some longer-haired breeds may take up to 12-16 weeks to attain their full mature fur length.

Why Is My Baby Rabbit Losing Its Fur?

It's normal for baby rabbits to shed their first fur coat around 4 weeks of age. However, fur loss in young rabbits can also indicate a health problem in some cases. Reasons your baby bunny may be losing its fur include:

• Normal shedding of the downy baby coat as adult fur grows in. This begins around 4 weeks old and is completed by 8-12 weeks typically.

• Ringworm fungal infection. Circular patches of fur loss along with crusty skin. Requires anti-fungal treatment.

• Mites. Causes flaky skin and patchy fur loss. Mites must be eliminated through sprays, injections, or medications.

• Hormonal issues. Rabbit hair loss is sometimes related to spay/neuter status, pregnancy, or abnormalities in sex hormones. Veterinary care is required.

• GI stasis. Lack of gut motility causes food to sit in the digestive tract. Can result in poor nutrient absorption and fur shedding. Needs addressed immediately.

• Poor nutrition. Diets low in protein, calories, vitamins, or minerals may fail to support normal fur growth. Diet evaluation is needed.

• Stress. High stress levels increase cortisol, which can suppress fur growth. Causes of stress should be reduced.

• Barbering. Some rabbits overgroom their companions, pulling out clumps of fur. Usually only evident in bonded pairs. May require separation.

If your baby bunny's fur loss seems excessive or involves itching, crusty skin, or bare patches, a veterinarian should evaluate the cause. Treating any underlying issue and optimizing nutrition will help restore normal fur growth.

Can Bunnies Change Color?

Yes, it's quite common for bunnies to undergo color changes as they mature. There are a few reasons that a rabbit's coat may shift in coloration over time:

• Baby fur molting. When rabbits shed their fluffy baby fur around 4-6 weeks old, the incoming adult fur can be strikingly different in hue.

• Breed characteristics. Some breeds naturally lighten or darken with age. Himalayans and pointed rabbits get darker. Chinchilla rabbits lose their pearled fur.

• Sun bleaching. Rabbits housed outdoors may get sun bleached fur, shifting lighter in color. The effects are often most noticeable on the back and sides.

• Seasonal changes. Exposure to light and hormones prompt some bunnies to grow warmer fur in the winter months and shed to a lighter color in summer. Jersey Wooley and Opal rabbits demonstrate this.

• Random color shifts. For unknown reasons, some rabbits sporadically change coat color over their lifetimes. This occurs in broken pattern breeds like Dutch and English Spot.

• Albinism. Though rare, some colored rabbits can gradually turn white. This results from a lack of melanin production. It only affects the fur, not eye color.

While a bunny's coloration often aligns with breed standards, variations can spontaneously occur. Be prepared for your rabbit's appearance to evolve, sometimes in remarkable ways! Consults with a veterinarian can ensure any changes are healthy natural developments.