RE: Can I hold my rabbit like this?

[Meesh]

I think my rabbits like this best, and it is the most secure (my body against the whole bottom of the rabbit, while my arms/hands on the bum/back). Sometimes when I am sitting on the couch, my one rabbit will jump up onto me and climb up to my shoulder/chest for pats. My other rabbit will do this when she is scared (as I said, it feels secure, and she is able to hide a bit in my hair–especially if I am lounging).

Another way is to “scoop” them up (this is the only way my one rabbit will let me pick her up), by petting both sides of the bun, and making it feel comfortable, and then squishing both arms together under its body. This will work for some, not for others. This way the bun can jump out any time (and it knows this), so your bun has to be okay with it.

The way I pick up my other bun is more natural to me because it allows me to position her any way, and it also is easy to learn how to get the bun to trust you to do it. (There are videos on YouTube) You place one hand under the front legs from one side, and one hand under the bum from the back. If your bun doesn’t like this, you will know way before you have the chance to pick it up. To get it more comfortable you start by petting your bun lots, to make it ok with your hands. Then you put your hands under its front legs and take them out. Touch it’s sides, put your hand on its bum… Etc. Let it run away if it wants, you want the bun to be comfortable with you. When it is ok with you touching it in all these places, then you can try lifting the buns front arms an inch or 2 off the ground and putting it back down. If that is ok Then do the same with the bum (with its front legs on the ground still). If that is ok then you can try both at the same time — just a few inches. Keep at it until the bun is ok to be picked up. This can be immediately, or it can be a long time (or never!) It really depends on what your bun is ok with.

Remember to gain trust, your bun needs to know it can leave at any time!

Cheers!