Young cottontail rabbits are fully weaned at approximately what age?

• A. 2 weeks
• B. 4 weeks
• C. 6 weeks
• D. 8 weeks

Answer: (B)

Young cottontail rabbits typically finish weaning around four weeks of age. They start life relying entirely on their mother’s milk for roughly the first three to four weeks, with solid food introduction beginning a bit earlier. By about four weeks they can digest and depend on plant matter, so weaning at this time aligns with natural development. In rehab, using four weeks as the weaning point helps ensure the kits become independent at the right pace and don’t remain milk-dependent longer than necessary. Eating too early (around two weeks) would leave them undernourished and not ready for solids, while waiting until six or eight weeks delays independence beyond the natural window typical for wild kits.