Was this cruel? Were my parents being ok?

[sniffablecow]

     So today, we needed to get my rabbits nails clips. I am a minor, so I still can’t drive things and do everything by myself. We needed to get her into her portable box to take her to the place, but she was not cooperating. I tried picking her up, but she went behind the couch.

     We were supposed to leave at 11:30, but my mom came down at 11:25 because she thought this would be a breeze. My mom couldn’t get theo (our rabbit) into the box. She tried trapping the rabbit, cornering it, and trying to wrap it in the blanket to get it in the box. I was scared, because I didn’t like how the rabbit was being held. Whenever I would ask my mom to stop doing whatever it was to the rabbit, she would scold me.

     My mom couldn’t do it, so my dad helped. They both tried corning her, and not letting her escape a corner. She had her ears flat down, so I knew she wasn’t happy. My dad she quickly snatching her, but she escapes and goes into her cage. After, my dad starts just taking everything out the cage, moving things around, and just making a mess. He puts his head and shoulders inside, and doesn’t give her anywhere to escape. The rabbit look horrified, but was eventually snatched while still flinging her feet everywhere in the air, and put in the box. I told them that I would not like to do it like this next time, but they tell me things like “She is just a rabbit”, “You only know stuff from research, so be quite”, “If you were so smart, you would have put her into the box, so be quite”, and “You are starting to act like those people who treat animals like humans.”

I would like to know the opinions of you guys. Should they have trapped her multiple times, try to snatch her in a blanket, use objects to enclose her in a super tight space, and just watch her be scared? Or am I just being too nice, and not being aggressive enough? 

[Edited to remove age]

[Muchelle]

rabbits are pray animals, so the behaviour of your parents surely scared the bun and could even cause a heart attack or stress related problems.
Next time take care of this task yourself without waiting for the last second. A good method is to wait for the bun to be in its cage or in another closed spot and block the exit with the carrier, for example.

[Mikey]

“She is just a rabbit”, “You only know stuff from research, so be quite”, “If you were so smart, you would have put her into the box, so be quite”, and “You are starting to act like those people who treat animals like humans.”

Your parents should not have animals if this is how they feel, sorry to say. You should use a crate instead of a box; you can get one for 20$ish at any store that sells cat supplies. Put some treats or greens in the crate, wait for the bun to walk in, close the crate. Rabbits die from stress, so if at all possible, try to convince your parents that researching how to care for an animal is a good thing.

[vanessa]

Agree. Get a crate, or a cat/small dog carier, and get yoru bunny used to eating treats in the carrier. That will make it easier to get her ready for a vet visit. I also agree that you shodul get her ready in advance, like at least half an hour before, while you get used to doing this, so that your parents don’t feel obligated to chase and corner and scare her, at the last minute. Not blaming you – just expanding on what Muchelle/Mikey said. If I have to take some of my “wilder” bunnies to the vet, I get them ready in advance, so that I’m not late. It will be less stressful to have a quick well practiced catch, and have the bunny wait in the crate for 30 minutes, then wait till 5 minutes before, and chase the rabbit non-stop.
It’s a pity your parents feel that way. I have yet to hear of a teenage being able to change their parent’s attitude about animals. But you can help change their attitude about you, by demonstrating that you are organized/responsible about your rabbit’s care/transport. I’m at least glad that they take you to have you bunny’s nails clipped. Many young people have a hard time even getting that from their parents. I woudl show them that you appreciate their support, and tell them you have an idea to make it easire next time, introduce the crate/treat-eating idea.

[BunjaminML]

Man, that’s harsh! How else are you going to know this stuff if not through research? I’m sorry you (and your bunny) had to go through that.

Though it might be harder for you being a minor and unable to drive, Craigslist is a great place to find cheap pet carriers in good condition. My bunny hates being picked up and is really good at evasion. Frankly, I’ve never been able to figure out how to pick him up because I am too scared that I will hurt him if I do so (I am working on this!). My carrier has top and side doors, so I can hold a treat out to him through the top door and lure him in through the side. I also make a point to leave it out in our living room in the days leading up to our appointment so he can get comfortable in and around it.

[Edited to remove age]

[sarahthegemini]

Your parent’s attitude is disgusting. And they were being incredibly cruel. The poor bun could have had a heart attack.

[sarahthegemini]

“Should they have trapped her multiple times, try to snatch her in a blanket, use objects to enclose her in a super tight space, and just watch her be scared? Or am I just being too nice, and not being aggressive enough?”

Of course they shouldn’t have done all that.

[Limit]

This is just sad… research is the only way you’ll find out more about your animals. Utterly disgusted by your parents behaviour and words toward you and your bun.

Rabbits are as difficult as humans so why should they not be classed as equivalent to us?

Everyone’s given you great advice already, one of mine is the same and will evade the carrier if I’m shoving it at her. So the only way that works for her is if I leave the carrier in with her, with me behind it and wait (of course this can take a long time so I can’t just wait for the last minute), she eventually hops in to investigate and I shut the door. My other one is a dream and as soon as the carrier is in his area he hops straight in without a fuss – travels well too!

You’re not the only one to have a bun like that but eventually, without having it be a stressful experience, she could start to like the carrier

Please do not let your parents near your bun again, do it yourself and take your time. Be relaxed and quiet while you’re doing it as they pick up on your stress! I do hope your bun doesn’t see this as a negative thing now though… quite a traumatic experience

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Oh dear, that definitely was cruel! Your bun could have died from all that stress. You sound so much wiser than your parents, of course you’ll have to get info from research… Rabbits are not low-maintenance and are quite fragile animals, and reading up on rabbit care is vital.

I wouldn’t trust your parents anymore with his handling. Not sure how old you are (age was removed by mods I see), but maybe there’s a chance you can move out as soon as you’re old enough.

[Luna]

I agree that your parents should have handled the situation differently; you did nothing wrong. You’re not being “too nice” and it’s great that you are researching stuff to better care for your bun. I actually use Muchelle’s technique with Luna (I used to lure her into the carrier with treats until she caught on that it was a trick). With Luna in her cage, I slide open the door in the front, place the open end of the carrier snug against the door opening, then herd/scoot Luna into the carrier and close up the carrier entrance once she is in.

[Pongo]

Your parents probably scared your poor bunny more. It would of probably gone much smoother if your parents had taken a much more caring, and calmer route. Bunnies are sensitive animals and can have health problems very easily and in that situation yes your bunny could of easily had a heart attach. Every animal is different and HUMAN and most every living creature needs situations handled differently. My parents use to tell me the same thing! That I’m becoming one of those people that treats animals like humans but now I’m a second year vet student!!! Animals depend on us to take care of them because there innocent and they can’t take care of themselves and that bunny or dog or cat will probably give you more love than any human being ever will! Your parents were way out of line to talk to you that way and tell you that. I’m sorry keep treating animals with respect

[LittlePuffyTail]

I agree with the others in taking time to try to get her used to the carrier beforehand. Rushing to grab a bunny right before a vet apt. is not a good idea because the human will be stressed and bunnies can sense that stress and it makes them even more wary of the situation.

[DanaNM]

Everything everyone said here is spot on. I’m so sorry that you had to watch that helplessly, and I’m glad your bunny wasn’t injured in the process.

I would just add that you should learn how to clip your bunnies nails yourself to reduce additional stress in the future!

. . . 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.  

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