Handling Your Rabbit

One of your biggest challenges of being a rabbit owner may be handling your rabbit. This is because rabbits don't often like to be held, which means that they struggle, growl, and occasionally bite and scratch. Even if they do these things that doesn't mean you shouldn't handle them. It does mean that you will have to take some time to establish a better bond between you and your bunny. Below are some basic steps to take in learning to handle your rabbit.

Step One: Pet your bunny
Petting your bunny is an important first step picking up and handling it. Rabbits like to have their heads gently scratched and rubbed, but they generally do not like to be touched under the chin or around their hind quarters. If you want to earn your rabbit's trust, giving it a soft head rub is a greaat way of doing that. After a while your rabbit may even run up to you and demand that you pet it.

Step Two: Put the bunny in your lap
Sit on the floor with the rabbit and gently put it in your lap. Let the rabbit run off if it wants to, but let it get used to the idea that being picked up and put in your lap is not a bad thing. If you cannot pick your rabbit up at all, try luring it into your lap with treats.

Step Three: Try holding your bunny
Chances are, your rabbit will not like being restrained. Try to remember: rabbits are prey animals, and in their eyes, being held down or trapped by a bigger creature often means death. The first two steps above encourage bonding between you and your rabbit. Being gentle, but firm, when you do pick your rabbit up will go a long way to help it become more amenable to being picked up and held.

Very important: Your rabbit should never be picked up by the ears. Damage to the ear tissue can be caused this way and it is painful for the rabbit.

Picking Up Bunny Checklist:
• Support the rabbit under its chest

• Support the rabbit's hindquarters

• Hold the rabbit close to your body. Let it rest against your body, if you can. This will provide it a sense of security.

• Once you've picked up your rabbit, hold it for a few seconds, or until it stops struggling, and then gently release it. Rabbits will may struggle again when they feel themselves being released, so make sure you do this very close to the ground. Giving the bunny a treat may sweeten the experience as well. Be aware that once you put the rabbit down it may try to bite you for your audacity.