Picking up a rabbit

[Tay]

My dad has 2 rabbits and I got one to like me but, he keeps his rabbits in poor conditions outdoors. I would like to take Toffee (the rabbit I’ve tamed quite a bit) out of her hutch and try to house train her in my room on a daily basis. I’ve read they hate being picked up and I’m concerned that if I do, she won’t like me anymore. I looked up ‘how to pick up rabbits’ but I’m also scared I won’t do that right. Are there are any suggestions on how to pick her up through a small door on the side of her hutch? Will she hate me or get overly stressed if I pick her up? I plan on getting her to stay in my room full time but I gotta take it slow. I’m going to make her my responsibility. Hopefully, afterwards, I can get the other rabbit to become tame enough to manage too.

[kurottabun]

1. Are the rabbits spayed/neutered? Two rabbits that are not spayed/neutered have a very high chance of either fighting or mating.

2. If the answer to Question #1 is no, then the rabbits are most likely not bonded properly and hence will have to be separated to prevent potential fights. They will have to be spayed/neutered and then go through an intentional bonding process if you ever want them to be together again. Also, since you mentioned “she”, it’s important for female bunnies to be spayed to avoid potential health problems. Females have a high chance of getting uterine cancer if left unspayed. They are also notoriously territorial so hormonal behaviours will be quite difficult to deal with.

To answer your questions, yes most rabbits hate being picked up. This is because they are prey animals and being hoisted off the ground makes them feel like they are being caught by a “predator” (i.e. you). In situations where it’s absolutely necessary to pick them up though, try to make it quick (but careful) and not hold them for long periods of time unnecessarily (e.g. for cuddles etc).

She may be a bit wary of you after you pick her up. To gain back her trust, sit on the ground with her and don’t try to touch her. Let her sniff and explore you without doing anything, so that she doesn’t see you as someone out to harm her. You can also give her bunny safe treats (e.g. a small piece of banana, carrot or apple) so that she associates you with good stuff.

Since it’s a small door, it could be a better idea to get a bunny carrier and try to lure her into it using treats instead of picking her up. If you’re planning to have her in your room, make sure it’s fully bunny proof. Note that it’s difficult to let a bunny free roam if she’s not spayed because it’s highly likely she will pee and poop everywhere to mark territory.

You can refer to the BUNNY INFO section of this forum to learn more about bunnies, including diet, bonding, living space etc. It’s really helpful

[Daisy]

I used to keep bunnies in a hutch with a small door. I would grab them under the chest/between the front legs and on their back just above the butt. Then I’d scoop the hand holding the butt up and pick them up out of the hutch and either set on top of the hutch or set the bunny on the arm holding the butt and wrapping the other arm around them while keeping the hand between the front legs. That way they will feel that they’re not hanging in midair but are standing on/smushed against something secure, this makes them less likely to wiggle/flee from your arms.

[sarahthegemini]

On top of the advice offered…your Dad needs to step up if he keeps them in poor conditions. There are NO excuses.

[joea64]

I try not to pick up either Panda or Fernando unless absolutely necessary, because like most buns, they don’t like it; they always wriggle and kick when they have to be picked up for nail trimmings, vet exams and such like, so the poor things generally end up as resentful “bunny burritos” to keep them still long enough for the necessary work to be done. When I need to get them into carriers for trips, my usual tactic nowadays is to try to get them out into the X-pen, close the condo cage door behind them, and gently shoo them into the carrier (gentle pets on their fluffy rear ends help get them moving in the right direction).

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