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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Is it safe to hold my bunny on her back?

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    • PaintedSunsets
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        My bunny seems to enjoy being held on her back and my parents don’t give me the chance to ask the vet these kinds of things. She falls asleep whenever I hold her, and she seems to become more affectionate afterwards. I have been told by not quite reliable sources that it isn’t safe, but I want to know the truth. When I searched it up online, there were controversial answers, so I’m not sure what to believe. I just want to be closer to my bunny without scaring her, but I can’t do that if she is in her cage. (I have dogs, so I usually let her roam for a few hours when I can.) I also don’t want her to be afraid of me, and I don’t want her to be afraid of my family, either. Right now I’m the only one who can pick her up… I need to know! 


      • Rabbit lover
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          Technically rabbits do not like to be held on their backs, since it is a very vulnerable position for them. I don’t think it is bad for them though hopefully my post will bump this up so someone else ca answer that.  I would suggest if you want to bond with your rabbit that you spend lots of time on the ground with her give her treats and stroke her. Some rabbits just preffer not being held I know my boy doesn’t. If you are going to hold her be sure to give her lots of treats afterwards. So she will begin to associate treats with being held. I hope this made sense and hope I helped!


        • LongLiveLoyalBuns
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            I always hold my bunny on his back and he loves it! Im not particularly sure if it safe but as long as her back is fine she should be fine.


          • BunnyLady1989
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              It’s not the safest thing to do as they can be startled very easily and the possibility of them seriously injuring themselves get high. Personally, I wouldn’t do it just to be on the safe side. Lulu freaks out when she gets put on her back and the only time I have to do it is when I need to administer medication. She also just likes to be held when she wants it. Some days she likes it, some days she immediately wants down. A bunns character varies so much so yours may like it or hate it. My own opinion though, I’d play it safe and bond with her on her level. Plus it will take time like with any animal to bond, but it will be on her time and not yours. It’s hard to be patient with things like this, but that’s just the way it is.


            • Deleted User
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                I asked BBer’s the same question a few months back now and the response I got was bun’s don’t really like it – falling asleep is them being ‘tranced’. It was suggested that I only hold Henry on his back if I NEED to do something important to him, not for me to just nurse him. And as BunnyLady also pointed out – the risk of putting your bun on her back and causing herself serious injury is very real. I haven’t held Henry on his back since, just not worth it. Cheers PaintedSunsets.


              • Bunnies <3
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                  When you place a rabbit on its back it is “tranced”. I have been told that it is best to avoid doing this; your rabbit may seem like they are enjoying themselves but it is actually because they are in a tranced state. The only time I would decide to do this is if you have to handle your rabbit (eg for nail trimming) and they are not cooperating and there is no way you can do it unless they are tranced. But as a general rule I wouldn’t do it.

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              Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Is it safe to hold my bunny on her back?