Can’t pick up bunny to groom him

[Brielle]

Hi guys! I rescued my new bunny, Taco, about a month and a half ago. He’s almost 3 years old. He was rescued from a hoarding situation you may be familiar with- it was a woman in Maryland who had over 200 bunnies in her garage. He was then adopted and returned by a family and I adopted him shortly after. That being said, he is very anxious and shy and bats and runs away any time I come near. He has gotten better in the time I have had him and I spend a lot of time working with him- my only issue is grooming. It’s coming close to time to cut his nails and it is hard for me to ever brush him because I can’t pick him up. He is totally free range so I try when he is in his cage eating but he just runs away. I am noticing his poops strung together with hair and I need to be grooming him more. He is eating fine- he always finished his pellets and greens but doesn’t eat as much hay as I would like. His demeanor is happy around the house- he plays and binkys but he just won’t come by me. Any helpful tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Elrohwen]

I like to capture mine in a carrier first. If they are free range in a large area, I get them into a smaller pen first, then get them in the carrier. Once they are in the carrier I bring them into the kitchen and do their grooming on a counter, because most rabbits are much quieter in a new area where they are not comfortable. I don’t know if I could catch them when they are out running around, but they are pretty docile about being held once they are in a new area.

Most vets will trim nails too, if you can’t get the hang of it yet. I took mine to the vet for a couple years before my husband and I were comfortable with doing it ourselves.

[Kbana]

I gave up and go to my vet. It costs me 14 dollars and for me is worth it.

[Deleted User]

The vet for me too! Besides the argument I have to endure with Henry (not pretty!) it’s makes him more scared/hesitant for me to pick him up for the ‘fun’ times (that’s what I am telling him of coarse). When the vet does it, he gets the bunnybutt! Not me! A lot of BBer’s do it successfully – but sadly, a lot of us don’t, for that reason! You’ll work out which is best for you once others contribute their grooming tips and you try them. Good luck and cheers Brielle.

PS – I don’t want to mislead you – I am only just back into the ‘trying to pick Henry up’ – wish me luck!

[Bam]

I had to handle Bam rather a lot during his first year with me. He had mites, he had poopy butt, he had sores in his ears from a reaction to a vaccine. There was just no way around it, he just had to be handled. Bunnies are no different than other animals with a nervous system, they get desensitized. Even a sea-worm gets desensitized =) (definition of densensitization: the diminished emotional responsiveness to a negative or aversive stimulus after repeated exposure to it.)

As to grooming, both my bunnies like being groomed, it’s being picked up they are not fond of.

[Author]

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