Are Pet Carrying Slings Ok?

[BunnyLuv]

This is seems like it could be a controversial topic but I am very curious the differing thoughts on this. I am open to any and all opinions just please be kind as I am just figuring things out.

I purchased a pet sling carrier on amazon (actually 2 different ones to try out). The pictures of them are below (tried them both but forgot to take a picture of the zipper one)(his head is not trapped in! It is just tight enough for him to stick his head out without jumping out). He seems to like it but then can get a little scared sometimes as I am walking around but is mostly calm (I think). I feel like this could actually be something good for taking him to a pet store or even just a car ride so he feels snuggled and secure, he can burry his head in at anytime and it is very breathable. I tried this out just wanting to give him fresh air and take him with me on a very short walk to the mail box just down the street, I put my hand under him to support his weight and help him feel held. None of this is restraining except that he isn’t able to jump free (I don’t attach anything to him). I prefer the zipper one so that he can’t jump out at all. Sometimes I feel like this could be good for just holding in general cause he cant jump out like he can out of my hands (I feel like that can be more dangerous).

Like I said I am open to all honest thoughts and questions. Let me know what you think.

Also, a helpful question with this is, what does it look like when a bunny is scared or calm and relaxed? I thought it was the breathing but I have watched him sleep comfortably and I can see him breathe very quickly when he is supper comfortable.

[prince dorian the bun]

Personally, I think cats and rabbits don’t need fresh air in the sense of being carried about outside, I think it’s more for us humans who want to carry them around with us! There is really no need to take them to the pet store or to get the mail. That said, if it makes you happy and your bun isn’t stressed out, I don’t see anything wrong with it. Most rabbits hate being picked up (which I could see this feeling like that for them) , however some seem to have no issues at all… basically saying your bunny’s personality really comes into play here, just pay attention to if he seems stressed and don’t let your desire to have a cute bun with you on your walk override his comfort. The pouch doesn’t look like it is hurting your bunny and as long as he can’t wiggle out, it should be safe. In a car I would however opt for a proper carrier if possible as in an accident it will give more protection.

Oh and as for signs of stress… I haven’t been around a lot of bunnies so can’t generalize as much, but I know with Dorian I can usually tell by his ears and also how his body stiffens. He can also sometimes kick and his eyes go larger. If he is very unhappy he sometimes squeaks (nail clipping time can be very dramatic).

[LBJ10]

I know people with pet strollers for their bunnies. Personally, I would think something like that would be more comfortable.

[DanaNM]

I agree that it really depends on the rabbit. Some relax and don’t seem phased at all about going for walks, others get very stressed anytime they aren’t at home.

When a rabbit is stressed their eyes will often look much bigger and more wide open, and when very scared you can see the whites of their eyes. Usually their breathing will be more rapid and they will just be tense.

My main concern with a sling would be the bun panicking and trying to escape, so I agree a stroller would be a safer option. Some buns will lay down and just relax in the stroller, other’s will look very concerned and not have a good time at all.

. . . 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.  

[BunnyLuv]

Thanks for all the responses! All of that makes perfect sense. Initially I thought I was told that he should be let out side to play 2-3 times a week. I know that is very different than putting him in a carrier and walking him around. Haha I just really like the idea cause he is just so cute and makes me happy. I am actually going through a nasty divorce right now and I got him to be an ESA.

My 2 questions are:

What if at first he acts like it’s nice and cozy but then starts to freak out?

Also, is it possible to get him used to it? Like to start with short periods of time then he will grow more comfortable with it? – This also goes for holding him. Can you do the same thing to kinda train him to be more cuddly? I really want him to be cuddly haha (who doesn’t right? 🤷🏼‍♀️😄) With that being said though I understand that like humans they may have there own personality that you can’t change, right? Or are they like a dog where they could be trained a certain way with persistence and patience?

[prince dorian the bun]

It could be when you think he is cozy he is actually in shock or staying still hoping the situation will be over (wild rabbits tend to go very still to avoid being spotted) and then when he realizes it is still going on he freaks out. Or he could have found it fun for a minute but then realizes he is up high and trapped and doesn’t like it anymore.

I think you can probably train them a bit, but you can’t force it if that’s not their personality. Dorian is in my opinion a pretty cuddly bun, but he doesn’t really like being picked up and generally likes to flop next to me not on my lap. I do try and once in a while pick him up and give him a treat so he doesn’t associate it just with bad things, mainly so it isn’t traumatic if I do need to pick him up for any reason, but I am very much in the school that you meet animals on their terms rather than trying to train them to fit your needs. That said I don’t think it’s wrong to see if you can get him used to certain things and encourage behaviors, just in this case remember they are prey animals and being held and lifted above the ground is what a predator would do to them in nature. Some rare buns don’t seem to care, but for most you can only hope that they will learn to endure it. Rabbits are not dogs, they are also social animals but their structure is a bit different from a dogs. They also do not have centuries of breeding to make them companion animals, until really recently they were food and fur for the most part and have retained a lot of their wild nature.

 

[LBJ10]

I agree with Prince Dorian. You can work on getting a bunny to tolerate being picked up by starting small and giving a reward. But you can’t teach them to be cuddly and most bunnies will not be tolerate being held for long, even if you do work with them on it. I only did this with mine because I wanted to be able to pick them up without it being a traumatic experience each time.

[BunnyLuv]

Thank you so much for your explanations! It all helped a lot.

What kind of treats do you give? – I was told not to give him any veggies until 6 months (he is 11 weeks right now).

Also, I forgot to mention the age before does that change a bit of his ability to adapt? I still have the chance to effect how his personality ends up, at least a little?

[Moonlightbunny66]

Hmm my opinion is that these are the kinds of things you can do with a dog. Like if you want a companion to go outside with you or go to the pet store, a dog is great! Some people even put their dog in a purse if they’re small. I agree with the above posts saying that personality comes into play. But rabbits are high stress animals, they’re prey. So things like this can be bad for them. I don’t personally know your rabbit though! I’d also be scared of getting peed on lol or he might want to hide and have no where to feel safe (like a hidey house).

I do agree it can be hard to tell when they’re stressed, but usually wide eyes, stiffness, and letting you manipulate their body however you want are signs that they’re scared. My bunny Pinky also squeaks sometimes (idk how to describe the noise) when I’m trying to get him into the carrier because he hates it.

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