Need to get rabbit in carrier to clip nails

[sniffablecow]

As some of you may know, transporting my rabbit has not been very easy. She hates being picked up and will give me a light nip when i put my hands anywhere near parts of her abdomen, behind, etc. For this reason I bought a walk in carrier so my dad wouldn’t insist on forcing her into the carrier. Her nails haven’t been clipped in months due to this reason and I really want her nails to be clipped since they are starting to get kinda long. How do I go about getting her to walk into the carrier?

[Wick & Fable]

Throw a treat in there. Additionally, exposure to the carrier is very valuable.

If you can leave the carrier open and leave it in her vicinity, she can take time to get more accustomed to it. Additionally, if you get a piece of fabric or old t-shirt and get her scent on it (i.e. put her food bowl on it for a few days so she’s around it), then lay that in the carrier, it seems like a more comfortable setting.

Wick loves his carrier and it’s a regular part of his environment. When I displace it to put it by the door, he just hops right in, curious on what’s going on.

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.

[sarahthegemini]

Wick’s idea is great, it didn’t work for my Peanut tho. He is far too clever and can sense when we need him in the carrier and gets very suspicious. Buttercup on the other hand hops right in.

You could try penning off an area with bun and carrier inside and gradually reducing the space til bun has nowhere to go but the carrier. It’s not the greatest method but it’s what I have to do

[Cookie and Me]

My rabbit is the same when I brush her. She HATES being picked up, and I have to get her into her carrier to do so. I just put some leaves (alfalfa) into there and she’ll hop right in. I think food really helps. Also, what Wick says makes sense. If your bun is used to the carrier, she will most likely not have a problem with gping in it.

[Chelsea]

I have to put Thyme in her carrier then let her out on my table so I can scoop her up to trim her nails. She won’t let me pick her up from the floor so I’ve had to improvise haha I would second Wick’s comment about leaving the carrier out so your bun can sniff/explore/get comfortable with it. Thyme used to be very reluctant with her carrier but she has no problem hopping in it now that she knows what it is and doesn’t always associate it with a car ride (which she hates).

[joea64]

I should start leaving the carrier open in the buns’ X-pen during their overnight playtimes starting this evening, I think. I’m planning to take them with me for Thanksgiving weekend, and since it’ll be a pretty lengthy drive they should get as accustomed as possible beforehand.

[Sirius&Luna]

Make sure they can’t use the carrier as a step to jump out the X-pen Joe… I speak from experience

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