4 month bunny gets squirmish when picked up after a walk

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 2sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 2 months ago by brownloprabbiot.

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- 11/14/2021 at 5:32 PM
  brownloprabbiot
  Participant
  2 posts
  Hi,
  
  I’m a new bun mum and would love your insight on this!
  
  Background: I adopted a minilop boy, now 4 months old. I’ve had him for 2 months now. He’s not desexed yet.
  
  Problem: When I take him out for a walk in a quiet park (on a leash), he runs around and hops around, and then when it’s time to go home (after 20-40 mins or so), he will not let me pick him up. He will try to run away, and when I try to put him back into the carrier he will struggle like crazy and go berserk. It’s only after when he’s been running around, why is this?
  
  He’s free roamed 4+ hours a day usually, otherwise kept in a play pen.
  
  At home I pick him up here and there, but he doesn’t resist me like when he gets pickup after a walk.
  
  It’s especially easy when he’s static / standing still (maybe because he’s drowsing off so he’s not ready to struggle). It’s only when he’s being active that he doesn’t like being picked up.
  
  In terms of our relationship – he seems to trust me pretty much (jumps on my lap, tummy, back etc to get a pet when I’m watching a movie, he’ll show his tummy to me and lets me massage his belly, he will often run towards me and runs in circles around me, he’ll often follow me around the house, makes gentle honking sound when he’s playing with me), but he’s like a different bunny after a walk, when I need to pick him up! It’s like he’s gained back his natural instincts in the wilderness. haha.
  
  It’s not a critical issue but it makes me sad that I’m stressing him out every time I have to pick him up after a good walk.
  
  Thanks in advance!
- 11/15/2021 at 5:57 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5831 posts
  I will address your question/concern, and also acknowledge that I am against the notion of taking a rabbit out for walks on a leash. If he is getting ample free-roam time inside, there is no need to bring him outside where more things are out of your control and more risks are there for your rabbit. If you live in the United States, please note that we now have RHDV concerns, which is a highly contagious virus which is making many rescues recommend keeping rabbits indoors: https://rabbit.org/what-is-rabbit-hemorrhagic-disease/
  
  I imagine that the act of being picked up and restricted out in the open is triggering a lot of natural instincts in your rabbit that danger is happening. While you may not be able to perceive it, a rabbit’s ears and nose can pick up on a lot of animal scents/sounds in a quiet park. Combine that with you trying to handle your rabbit, it is natural that your rabbit is trying to run away. There is a lot of stimuli outside as opposed to inside, so the likelihood that your rabbit recognizes your entire body, your approach, and the intent of what you’re doing is small, in my opinion. As a rabbit, even though he is domestic, being handled outdoors where he can see/smell/hear the presence/residue of predator animals is likely stressful.
  
  Also, please note that your rabbit is approaching puberty, so his behavior/agreeableness to being walked may change as his personality begins changing.
  
  Please see here for guidance on safe walking procedures and considerations: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Walking_a_rabbit
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
  - 11/17/2021 at 4:45 AM
    brownloprabbiot
    Participant
    2 posts
    Thank you for your reply. Ah I see, it’s interesting how the outdoor environments are triggering natural instincts in him.
    
    Okay, I won’t take him out unless I really need to. I’m in Australia but similar disease exists for bunnies here.
    
    Thanks!
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