Falling into my hand

[Mackenziepaynm]

I got my rabbit about 1 week ago we have bonded very quickly and he seems very comfortable around me. But for the last 3 day every time I put my rabbit on me chest and stroke him (near the beginning of his ears) he falls back with me hand, I thought there was something wrong but he  only does it when I’m standing up and he doesn’t do it to anyone else someone please explain to me why he does that ! I’m a bit worried it means he hates me.

[LBJ10]

I’m not quite sure what you’re describing. Does he completely fall over? Or is he pushing your hand backward with his head?

[Mackenziepaynm]

He doesn’t really fall backwards and he doesn’t push my hand follows my hand  so it looks like I’m holding him on his back (I support his bottom) so it looks like he’s falling back but if I stop stroking mid stroke he goes back on my chest.

[Bam]

I dont quie understand what you are describing either. It it like he’s struggling to get away from you when you’re holding him?

[LBJ10]

I agree. It almost sounds like he’s trying to get away, like he doesn’t like having his head pet and he’s trying to back away from your hand but he’s being held there.

[Bam]

If he is trying to get away from you it’s not because he hates you. It’s a lot more likely that he doesn’t want to be held and that he now, after being with you for a week, feels confident enough to show you what he wants. Most pets are very cautious and take care not to make a fuss when they’re in a new environment. If your bun now lets other people hold him but tries to get away from you when you hold him, it actually means he trusts you more than he trusts the other people. So this is all part of your bonding process.

Rabbits as a rule like being pet around the ears, but they want to decide themselves when. They often like sitting on their human’s chest when the human is lying on a couch or bed or the floor, but they don’t want to be restrained and forced to. Their instincts tell them that being restrained is the first step towards becoming someone’s dinner, and those instincts run deep with rabbits.

 

[Cinnamon Bun]

Maybe attaching a video could help us identify what you’re describing? ♡ Is his head flopping backwards? You wrote in your post that he was falling back…

[Wick & Fable]

It seems like you are trancing your rabbit and therefore activating a natural reflex that is highly discouraged in the pet rabbit community (based on the picture you found and are referencing). Please read here about trancing and why it is discouraged: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Trancing

Please refrain from handling your rabbit like this in the future as it can cause un-needed stress.

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.

[Mackenziepaynm]

He does exactly this ( I got this from google because I don’t like holding him with one hand)

(This may be a tranced rabbit — please see here for information on why trancing is discouraged: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Trancing) – note added by Wick

[Mackenziepaynm]

Thank you for informing me I will avoid his ears from now on when petting him! I am very new to owning a rabbit so I had no idea what it was but thank you!

[Wick & Fable]

Trancing is not induced by petting the ears — trancing is induced by positioning the rabbit on its back where their head is at level or lower than their behind. There are pictures included in the link I sent.

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.

[DanaNM]

I think the issue is more because of the way you are holding him on your chest. Depending on his history, he may have been held on his back a lot (breeders tend to do this a lot).  If he is fairly vertical when on your chest, he may  be almost anticipating being flipped and kind of slip into the position easily. Or if he is pushing back, he could push himself into this position.

Rabbits generally love their ears being petted, but most rabbits prefer to be petted while sitting on the ground.

I recommend petting your bun while sitting on the ground with him, and if you have to carry him, make sure he’s held in a position where he doesn’t tip back past vertical. Hold him firmly so he can’t wiggle around.

. . . 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.  

[Author]

Messages