phantom pregnancy

Question
there is no way that our rabbit could be pregnant but she has started making a nest with her fur and guarding it we havent disturbed her nest but we would like to no why she is doing this and what we should do
thank you

Answer
Dear Samantha,

Once a female rabbit reaches sexual maturity, she may start to have false pregnancies.  She'll go through all the motions of making a nest and tending it for a few days, and then lose interest. While she's in the false pregnancy, she may become grouchy and whimper when you touch her--her way of saying "Don't come near me!  I'm already pregnant!"

For her health and safety, it's time to have her spayed.  Repeated false pregnancies can lead to health problems such as mastitis (infected mammary glands) and other disorders.  Also, unspayed, unbred female rabbits have a very high risk of uterine cancer.  It's best in every way for her to be spayed by a good rabbit vet soon.   You can read more about this here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/spay.html

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/opcare.html

and find a good rabbit vet near you here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope that helps.  Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana