How to hold

[mia]

Is there a easy peasy beginner way to hold bunnies? I’m scared of them, they’re scared of me, so it’s a bit hard to bunnynap them into the carrier or even to groom. One I’m able to hold for a few seconds before he becomes all squirmy and I almost drop him. The other one, well I’m too scared to even try because she doesn’t like me yet and will spring before I’m remotely close. I tried once with one hand on chest and one on the bum with body facing to the side and also turning so all four feet face me. Also throwing a towel over but once I contact, bun springs away.

Youtube vids make it look incredibly easy.

[Sam and Lady's Human]

I give Samson pets, then I scoop him with both hands, one hand on each side, making sure his back feet are firmly supported in my hands.

[LizzieKnittyBun]

It depends on the bun… some are so great about being picked up, and some are nigh impossible! So don’t blame yourself ; )

Remy’s little, so I put one hand over his head to let him know he’s not going anywhere, and then I put the other hand under his chest and lift up slightly. I then move the first hand underneath his back legs and butt and lift him that way. Always support the butt!

With Momo, I just do the best I can… she’s heavy!

Remy’s good about being held. He’ll try to scale my shoulders and look over but, as I mentioned, he’s little so he’s easy to adjust.

Momo, however, does *not* like being held and will only tolerate it for a few brief moments. Then she’ll start trying to eat my shirt.

However you hold them, just make sure their back legs and butt are supported. Also, buns often feel safer and more secure when their ears are covered, so putting a hand over their ears and forehead will probably help with the squirming.

[mia]

They run away when I try to pet when they are in the x-pen. I can get pets in when they are in the NIC condo but its harder to reach in to try to pick them up. If I only support the back feet/butt, the front feet and pushing so much that it’s almost as if he can just do a backflip and fall

[Sam and Lady's Human]

I don’t know how long you’ve had your buns, but you really have to let them get to know you because they’ll be relatively comfortable having you pick them up. I’m sure you know this, but ideally the only reason you’d be holding them in the first place is for grooming. I leave Samson alone when he’s in his cage, if he comes out I’ll scratch the floor and he’ll come up for pets. But unless I’m in a hurry and need to put him in the bedroom or something, I let him come out on his own.

[mia]

Yes, for grooming and eventually other maintainence but also to put into carrier. I don’t expect it to be easy as I’ve only had them for one week but spending 30mins-1hr to usher them into the carrier is very tiring.

On the other hand, they will crawl all over me for food. I tried distraction with food and showing them that a stuffed dog gets treats when he let me groom him but no go. Once my hand is on them, zooooom!

[LBJ10]

Mine are different when it comes to picking up preferences. You have to catch Leopold off guard, so I usually go for him when he’s in his cage. He prefers to be picked up with my hands around his tummy, I don’t cradle his back feet. He usually just goes limp and then I will turn him so he is facing me and I will hold him close to my body (all four feet are against my chest, my hands clutching his butt and back). He will let me hold him as long as he thinks he’s going to get a treat. If he starts to grow impatient, he will start pulling at my shirt and he will usually nip me. Wooly, on the other hand, wants to be picked up with one hand on his chest and the other hand supporting his back feet and butt. I will bring him up close to my body, but he likes to have his side against my body and his face in the crook of my elbow. Sometimes he will try to scoot upward so he can look over my shoulder.

[longhairmike]

expect to get scratched and kicked a few times before you and your bun BOTH decide on a preferred position.

i prefer the forearm straddle,, a good position for medicine time since the back legs are hanging and cannot kick you.

[Sam and Lady's Human]

Ha LOVE it Mike!!

[LizzieKnittyBun]

LOL that picture is excellent!

[Author]

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