If your rabbit is building a nest, it usually means one of two things—both of which are driven by strong instincts:
1️⃣ She’s Pregnant
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A pregnant doe will pull out her own fur, gather hay, straw, or bedding, and build a cozy nest for the kits (baby rabbits).
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This normally happens in the last few days before giving birth.
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If you’ve housed her with an unneutered male in the past month—yep, you might be on “baby bunny watch.” 🐇👶
2️⃣ False Pregnancy (Pseudopregnancy)
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Even without a male, a female rabbit can still go through hormonal surges that trigger nesting behaviour.
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She’ll act like she’s about to give birth—fur pulling, nest building—but no babies will arrive.
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This can be caused by ovulation without fertilisation or even being housed near a male.
💡 Extra Notes:
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Nest building is purely instinctive—rabbits in the wild must prepare a warm, safe space to protect kits from cold and predators.
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If you don’t want babies, make sure she’s kept away from unneutered males and discuss spaying with a rabbit-savvy vet—it reduces these hormonal cycles and prevents reproductive cancers.
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If she is pregnant, make sure her nesting area is quiet, stress-free, and predator-free, and give her extra hay and water.
If you’d like, I can help you tell whether it’s real pregnancy or false pregnancy with a quick observation checklist. Would you like me to make that?
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