Don’t like being picked up

[Sandy]

Hello all, I’m still learning about my 5 1/2 month old rabbits. I already know that most rabbits do not like to be picked up, mine are no different. I had read where they shouldn’t be in their pen when you clean it but some have said its best not to pick them up if they don’t like it. I have 2 xpens side by side until i get them bonded which will be in a few weeks that I’ll start trying. What suggestions do you have of what to do with the rabbit when it’s time to clean the pens? I have cotton towels or fleece blankets underneath the pen that has to be shook out and returned or replaced. Thankfully they are both almost fully litter trained. Do i burito wrap them and continue taking them out? Also when exercise time comes, to get them back in the cages i have to lift them. Any suggestions what to do? Thanks a bunch.

[Cookie and Me]

You can try putting your buns in the carrier when you clean, picking up their litter box when they are in it, or the bunny burrito works well. Personally, I have never been able to do a burrito as Cookie just will not have it. How have you been picking them up so far? How do they react?

[Sandy]

I put one hand on each side of their body and once i pick them up slide one hand under the rump. They are both small rabbits. They fight like crazy and will easily jump out of my hand if I’m not careful. I always turn them around to where they are facing away from me. When they were fixed i used the burrito wrap to give meds and that worked pretty good. I just thought eventually they would know me well enough that they wouldn’t be scared. One rabbit is worse than the other. One will actually cry when you pick her up.

[LBJ10]

Do they not like you cleaning their pens? If they don’t mind, then I don’t see a reason to worry about removing them. My boys will come over to see what I’m doing, but they don’t care when I clean their litter box, etc. Heck, I even vacuum in their room with them there. It doesn’t bother them.

[kurottabun]

Honestly it’s a bit difficult to clean their pens if they are in it. I think just picking them up briefly to move them out is fine – it wouldn’t take more than a few seconds. My rabbit absolutely hates being picked up but I still do it when it’s necessary. Most of the time the phrase “don’t pick the rabbit up” is directed to people who pick up and hold on to their rabbits for their own cuddly time even when the rabbit doesn’t like it.

Maybe you could also try putting their favourite treat outside the pen and place them near it after you pick them up, so that it distracts them from what just happened.

[Sandy]

I haven’t started giving them treats yet, looks like its time. I’ll order some of those treats by Oxford? Can’t remember the hay people but its the same. Maybe some dehydrated apples and strawberries too. I know easy does it, just a little of one at a time for three days. Thanks everyone again!

[kurottabun]

You may be referring to Oxbow Their treats are good!

For sugary stuff, it’s best to wait till they are six months or older to make sure their guts are developed properly. Meanwhile for a lot of rabbits, normal pellets can work as treats too. My bunny goes absolutely mental for his normal everyday Oxbow timothy pellets – he never gets sick of it. Ever. You could try that too.

[Author]

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