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BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

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.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BEHAVIOR Getting bunny used to being handled?

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    • Dibbyface
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        We rescued my rabbit, Evi, about a year ago, when we found him hopping around our front lawn, eating the flowers. From the start he’s been very receptive to being touched, and will happily hunker down for a nice long petting session. However, he hates being picked up, and though I’ve tried a handful of times to get him accustomed to it, using raisins as rewards, he kicks and squirms and bolts away the second I attempt to lower him back down to the floor. It’s a stressful operation, and I’ve had trouble working up the nerve to practice regularly enough to get him used to it.

        I primarily want to get him used to being held so I can better care for him, and especially so I can cut his nails. He doesn’t like his paws to be touched, and though I’ve watched the Amy Sedaris video on the press-press-cut technique, I’m very wary about placing him on a table with how frantic he gets when I attempt to pick him up.

        Does anyone have any suggestions for how to make this process any easier or less stressful for me and the bun? Can I expect him to ever be calm when I pick him up or attempt to groom him or trim his nails, or will I have to resign myself to being the big bad mama for good?


      • Roberta
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        4355 posts Send Private Message

          Very few rabbits like being picked up…. The best you can really hope for is tolerance when you need to pick them up to get the in a carrier or to safety… Even the biggest snuggle bun doesn’t like their feet off the ground. The only thing I can recommend is to hone your sweep and grab technique so if you ever have to get them out in a hurry I.E. Fire. You know exactly how to make a fast collect and carry.


        • Roberta
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            I have a groomer come in for nails etc… I sit them on the grooming table and comfort or restrain whilst Peta gets nails and shaves completed… They are use to her now and are generally quite calm.

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        Forum BEHAVIOR Getting bunny used to being handled?