cant seem to pick up bunny with out him kicking

[Ang]

hello everyone,

i am new to being a bunny owner.  i cant seem to pick up moreland with out him kicking an spazing out.  it scares me when he does because i know he can break his back easily.  i have watched u tube etc on how to properly pick him up however it doesnt work. as soon as i get my hand under his butt he kicks and wants to run away.  any advice? i cant even get him off the ground i dont want to get bit or hurt him.

 

[osprey]

Hi Angelina,

Sometimes if bunnies detect that you are not comfortable picking them up, they squirm more.  I know that after handling hundreds of  bunnies in rescue, you develop a feel for the bunnies and how to control them.  It mostly just takes practice.  Here are a couple of our Rabbit Haven videos that show how to handle bunnies properly:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj1xJFyRj2Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK67tW87yVI

[JamieM]

How long have you had Moreland? (Cute name, by the way). When I first got my bunny, she did that, but I largely left her alone (unless I had to pick her up to clip her nails or something like that) and eventually I stopped being that big scary human and started being her friend or companion. Now she comes to ME and loves to be snuggled. It may just take sometime for him to adjust to you.

[Deleted User]

A lot of our buns don’t like to be picked up … as bunnies are prey animals, they generally like all fours on the ground … where they feel safest.

And Luey is one of them.

 

 

[MooBunnay]

Hello Angelina! Welcome to BinkyBunny

It is very normal for a bunny to kick and squirm when being picked up, as Osprey mentioned, it is a matter of confidence and practice. I rarely pick up my bunnies because I know that they do not enjoy it, the only time I pick them up is for nail trims. If I need them to get in their bunny carrier I will chase or bribe them in with treats.

I’m thinking that what is happening is what frequently happens to me, once you get Morelands bum in your hands does he kind of spring forward and out of your grip? If so, I usually try to “go with it” and kind of catch them in the air under their tummy and continuing to keep my hand under their bum. If he is kicking WHILE in the air, and you’ve got him already, try to situate him so his legs and facing your body and kind of hug him to your body, watch out though because he could jump right over your shoulder if you’ve got him up very high on your chest.

Picking a bunny up is never easy, so don’t worry, with practice you will get it! Sometimes it can be stressful for them, so try not to pick him up too often, or to many times in a row, give him a break and treats in between attempts.

[Cassi&Charlie]

Angelina, you are not alone! I got Layla from a shelter and she hates being picked up so much that I have to use a towel to pick her up with when ever I unfortunately have to pick her up. It was a bit of a shock for me because my first bun, Charlie really doesn’t mind being picked up. My advice is to wear protective clothing and give her a treat when you put him down on the ground, so hopefully he will associate being picked up with happy things after a little while.

Also, since he was a petting bunny before hand, he probably thinks your going to squeeze him, shake him etc and he must have some terrifying memories that you’ll have to over ride with happy thoughts. My Layla is the same but as long as I’m not picking her up, she’s a wonderful pet and Moreland will really appreciate being around someone gentle and caring like you.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Hi Angelina
It’s fine to hold the bum against your chest when they are settled but if they kick, like my newest little buddy Chuck does (he’s very nervous being held) it’s a little hard.

When i hold him, I still hold him against my chest, but I use my ‘bum support hand’ partially under the bum, but firmly holding his feet-that way if he kicks I have a firm grasp of his bum. My ‘shoulder support hand’ or top hand, I hold his shoulders and firmly hold his top feet. I’ll TRY to take a picture or two of how I hold him. The way I do it, even if he gets nervous and squirms or kicks, I really have a hold on him and it works well.

Basically the you hold them the way you normally would but use your hands to firmly hold the legs.

[Ang]

Hello thanks for all the tips. i have had moreland for about four days. i have his cage area all set up. he has a 3 foot gave by two foot wide with a ex pin around it. he is in the cage while at work or sleeping but as soon as home and awake he can come out. he was actually jumping it yesterday i searched everywhere for him and found him hoppin around the house. i cant seem to get the bunnyrito part down to where you wrap him in a towel. his nails were just clipped but getting tot he point where i have to clip them again might be a challange. i am working on it. i got my first nuge yesterday by him to get some pets so i think hes coming along!

exciting

[Author]

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