How to hold a bunny

[JackRabbit]

Two vets have told me and shown me this so I thought I would pass it on. Applies to picking up, holding, and carrying. Don’t know if it would work with larger breeds, but my buns have yet to fight the vets when handled like this (they fight the vet techs like crazy if *not* handled like this so its not just them being afraid at the vet office!). Here goes:

Holding hand like a gun (pointer finger and thumb), pointer finger goes between bun’s head and arm, middle finger, ring finger, and pinky finger all go behind that bunny arm so that bunny’s arm is between your pointer finger and the rest of your fingers. Your palm will be underneath bunny’s chest. Your thumb goes behind the bunny’s other arm. Your other hand should support the bunny’s rear end and back legs. When carrying the bunny, you can move the bunny toward your side so that your arm and elbow hold bunny close to your body to support the bunny’s rear end and prevent bunny from kicking out with it’s back legs.

The purpose of having your pointer finger (and *only* your pointer finger) in front of one bunny arm is to prevent bunny from moving forward and jumping out of your arms, and having your thumb *behind* the other bunny arm is to force your palm to be under the bunny for support and to prevent you from squeezing bunny around its neck.

Takes close-to-the-floor practice to perfect it.

Anyway, I’m sure there are lots of safe ways to pick up and hold a bunny, but I thought I’d pass this on. Will try to take pics when I get used to it, but I’m going yo continue to only pick up my buns when necessary and get them where they need to go on their own whenever possible!

[bunnluff]

Photos would probably be helpful. I pick up my own rabbits differently than I used to handle the adoption bunnies I used to volunteer with. But it would be helpful to know how to handle my own rabbits at the vets or somewhere they feel stressed out. Usually at the vets, they just jump right into my arms because that’s where they feel safe.

[JumpinBuns]

The House rabbit society did a video on handling rabbits for howcast on youtube. (I can link it if anyone is interested). But the methods they demonstrate leave the back legs kind of hanging, which makes me nervous, even though they’re holding the rabbit close to their body. What you’re describing sounds more logical to me, especially with a nervous rabbit.

[I LOVE LOPS]

I agree with bunnluff pictures would be helpful, i am horrible with directions!LOL

[JackRabbit]

I was afraid of that — apparently I’m horrible at taking pictures and I hate being in pictures myself. As soin as I can get hubby to hold one of the buns and I can actually take a clear pic then I’ll post it!

[I LOVE LOPS]

okay thank you!!

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