Picking up

[wintermelon]

Hey guys do any of you know how to pick up a really scared bunny without stressing them out too much. Because my bunny is not eating and im really worried so i am going to syringe feed her, but the thing is she is  very scared and skittish and she would always run away when i try to pick her up. Do you guys know any methods ?

[BinkyBunny]

I think you might benefit from this thread — https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tab…fault.aspx

They talk about ways to pick up your bunny.  

This video is also great -It’s in the forum thread as well – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIX…tmT_jxnjTU  (At 4:42 is a great demonstration)

[Autumn's Dad]

I second BB’s post, they are useful links. In my own experience with autumn (who was very scared) and what I believe is that rabbits require a firm and solid hold when being picked up and a calm, confident owner. scared Rabbits need as much security as possible and when they are held with certainty and confidence they are more likely to know they are in good hands. I made this mistake, not wanting to hurt her I gently picked her up, causing her to scramble, but when I stroked her and quickly but calmly scooped her up and held her tightly she calmed down and was not as scared the next time I picked her up. I believe a rabbit that is not afraid of it’s owner does not interpret picking up as a predatory behaviour, it is merely a primordial impulse. Thus the behaviour can be overcome as we would overcome irrational fears.

[flemishwhite]

Posted By wintermelon on 6/24/2016 9:44 PM

Hey guys do any of you know how to pick up a really scared bunny without stressing them out too much. Because my bunny is not eating and im really worried so i am going to syringe feed her, but the thing is she is  very scared and skittish and she would always run away when i try to pick her up. Do you guys know any methods ?

If you bun is not eating, I think the consensus is that you need to see a rabbit vet immediately.  Rabbits will not eat if they have GI Statis, a fatal condition. If a rabbit has GI Statis they will very soon die without treatment.  They will literally starve to death.  They can only live for about two or three days without eating. Since rabbits are masters at hiding pain or discomfort, by the time you realize they are not eating, the two or three days may have passed and they can then be on the verge of dying.   

I pick up my rabbits by initially lofting them with each of my hands under their armpits.  One carry I think is not too stressful is to put their front paws over my shoulder with my left hand cradling their hips in my left hand and my right hand on their shoulders gently pressing them against my chest.  This leaves them free to move their head, and also both of you can look at each other in the eye and talk to them. A second form of carry is to once again pick them up with one hand under each of their  armpits and then cradle them with my hands crossed in front of my chest. They often like to tuck their head under my right arm, since they are less scared if they can’t see. 

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