How do I know

Question
My rabbits are both girls (well that what the pet shop owner said). I've had
them for ages but they've only started getting on top of each other. That was
a few week ago and not my rabbit Magenpie has been getting hay in her
mouth from araund the pen and putting it into a nest inside. When I came
back from school it was full of fur from her tummy. Another reason I think
she is pregnant is that she won't let me go near her let alone touch her
tummy. Please tell if she will have kittens and what I should do.

Answer
Hi Ella,

It is very likely that she is pregnant.  It is very difficult to determine sex at ages that are seen in pet stores.  Additionally, males can "retract the gear" when stressed and appear to the untrained eye to be female.  Gestation period for domestic rabbits is about 30 days or so. If she is pregnant, what you are seeing is nest building.  Give her a "hidey" (nesting) box in which to build her nest and have some privacy.  She will build her nest from hay and fur she pulls from her chest.  If she is indeed pregnant, she will not stay with the kits like most animals.  Mother rabbits nurse usually once, and sometime twice, a day.  It's usually very early in the morning or late at night.  This is nature's way of protecting them from predators in the wild (and domestics still possess some of their wild traits).  You should also notice a weight gain and the development of her nipples in anticipation of feeding the kits.  If she does bear kits, resist the urge to handle them right away.  Allow her time to get them established.  The first few days of life are very fragile.

If you do have two girls, unspayed females can experience a pseudo-pregnancy...or false pregnancy.  A rabbit's overriding instinct is to reproduce.  Sometimes the girls get hormonal and exhibit all the signs of pregnancy except delivering babies.  Just like when pregnant...she most likely will build a nest, act aggressively and have a general look of panic on her face.  If this is a false pregnancy, allow it to run it's course in order to prevent undue stress on her.

A spay (and a neuter if you also have a male) will prevent these type things from happening.  A false pregnancy is stressful on the rabbit.  And we like to promote responsible pet ownership as there are thousands of rabbits in shelters right now needing homes.  There are also studies that indicate unspayed female rabbits are prone to endometriosis and uterine cancer.  It will eliminate all hormonal issues.  With males, neutering reduces the territorial issues, the urine spraying and the chance of testicular cancer...and we do have a testicular cancer survivor in our rescue.

When this event has run it's course, be it a real or false pregnancy, I urge you to have your rabbits spayed or neutered.  It is in their best interest for their long term life and will make a much more loving rabbit.

Randy