How to Tell if Your Rabbit is in Heat

I've been breeding rabbits for two years and have welcomed many a happy, healthy litter of kits into the world. The process of breeding my bunnies-- or, rather, allowing them to breed themselves-- has become very routine for me. A few friends, including those who were interested in breeding rabbits themselves, have asked me how I can tell when my bunnies are ready to mate. Rabbits aren't nearly as demonstrative or communicative as cats or dogs, so a frequent question I hear is, "How can you tell when a female rabbit is in heat?"

This question, while completely reasonable, is actually flawed in itself. Unlike cats and dogs, rabbits do not "go into heat" or have estrus cycles. While many mammals are fertile only during specific windows of time, a rabbit ovulates (releases eggs) when a male mates with her. Just as male rabbits release sperm during coitus, females release eggs, which are then fertilized and begin the process of development.

This is part of the reason that rabbits are so notoriously prolific. A female will release a cluster of fertilized eggs at almost any point and can then sustain a viable pregnancy through them. If a female mates with a male during pregnancy, she can even ovulate at that point-- carrying a second pregnancy in second horn of her womb. A rabbit doesn't go into heat; she is ready to get pregnant at virtually any point.

However, it can be hard to determine when a female is actually interested in mating, which is just as important as physiological fertility. Mating can go very badly-- up to and including horrors like ripped testicles and body-wide gauges-- if the female isn't receptive to the male's advances. A female will have a few physical indications that she is ready to mate. She will be at least six to eight months old before her body is fully mature enough for the experience. When sexually interested, her vent area will be visibly swollen and dark red.

The primary sign of your rabbit's readiness to mate will come from her behavior. A resistant rabbit will squeal, fight, and run when approached by a male. However, a female who is ready to mate will lower her front-end to accommodate him. If your doe shows signs that she is resisting the advances of her suitor, separate the two immediately to prevent injury to either animal.

Although your rabbit will never go into heat, per se, she will at some point be ready to mate. If you orchestrate the encounter correctly, she will conceive and go on to have a healthy pregnancy. Talk to your veterianarian if you have any questions about your rabbit's reproductive health.