You can then start approaching your rabbit and offering food - use your rabbit's favourite part of normal meals to avoid weight gain. My instincts say I've just been grabbed by something that wants to eat me and if I don't make them drop me quick I'm a goner. Although the process I'm about to walk you through will take time and patience on your part, it will help your rabbit learn that being picked up isn't scary. Nov 15, 2016 - This Pin was discovered by Lera. Enter Taskers. I'm Tamsin, and I like rabbits, such as Scamp at the top there. To pick up a guinea pig, start by placing your right hand gently across its shoulders and carefully wrapping your thumb and fingers around its body. In the future, you’ll find that he’ll nip softer or will stop doing it altogether. Don't make all your interaction about learning to be picked up; grooming your rabbit, playing with toys and just hanging out in the same space will all help your bond and build trust. Your rabbit panics at the first hint that's what you are going to do, and you can't teach him it's not frightening if he's still experiencing fear. If this is the case, try simply sitting quietly on the floor. He’ll associate you with being stressed and being made to do something he doesn’t like. Bonds between bunnies can sometimes break, especially if they were bonded before reaching sexual maturity. Cecotropes are soft, pungent feces that look like tiny clusters of grapes. However, do note that rabbits are prey animals. In general, they don’t feel safe being held. Next, use your left hand to cup the guinea pig’s bottom to fully support it and keep its legs from kicking out. Rabbits eat cecotropes directly from their behinds and reingest them. If your rabbit hates being picked up and thinks that is what you have planned, then it's not surprising he's heading in the opposite direction. If it begins to struggle wildly, let it go immediately and give it time to calm down (a snack may help) before trying to pick it up again. It will help put your bun at ease. Most people get ahead of themselves when it comes to teaching their rabbit to be comfortable with being picked up. When your rabbit is comfortable with you supporting the weight of his chest and bottom separately, it's time to put the two together. Learn how to deal with an aggressive rabbit and form a meaningful relationship with them! Rabbits are supposed to be cute and cuddly. Rabbits often mark areas where you like to sit or sleep to assert their dominance. Sometimes people also find that what they thought were two males/two females turn out to be one female and one male. Build up gradually until you are gently lifting your rabbit. Always hold a rabbit gently but firmly and use the minimum level of restraint necessary. Bunnies are prey animals and therefore don't like to be handled. Read our articles, Enrichment for Your Pet Rabbit and Playing with Your Pet Bunny for ideas on providing the appropriate mental stimulation for your rabbit. Don't move your rabbit far or too high from the ground. Once you build trust, you’ll find that your rabbit will actively seek you for affection. They can break a bone from being dropped and they can also break their own spines trying to get away from you. Cecotropes provide important nutrients and help keep their digestive system in balance. Support wikiHow by If you can't touch your rabbit, you are not going to be able to pick him up. Have you got me? How to Pick Up a Woman. The kind of companionship they provide is unique to them. Here are the basics of lifting your rabbit. Learn more at Rabbit Peeing on the Couch? Make sure you are supporting the rabbit’s back at all times. Don't pick up your rabbit. Once your rabbit stops moving away, gradually add a little more lift, and then a little more, working up gradually until your rabbit's comfortable with his front feet leaving the ground. A relaxed rabbit is a happy rabbit. Read Litter Training Your Pet Rabbit for more information. since ur rabbits go a little more bonkers when you pick them up i would get a small towel and lay it over the rabbit then pick him up it will help protect u from it sharp nails. © My House Rabbit   |   About Us   |   Contact / Advertise   |   Privacy / Disclaimer, Responsive WordPress Website Design by Brown Bear Creative. Take your rabbit to a rabbit-savvy vet immediately. Rabbits learn from experience and know what actions precede others. The only time I have ever been able to snuggle with them in my arms was after my friend picked them up by the fur at the back of there neck. site please ask permission first. 5 When is a Good Time to Handle a Rabbit? In this case, it is imperative to get your rabbits spayed and neutered. They’re rabbits. Covering their eyes gently with the crook of your arm can also help them to feel more relaxed. 1.2 My Rabbit Hates Being Touched; 2 Where Do Rabbits Enjoy Being Petted? Little and often is the key, along with plenty of patience - good luck! Sep 22, 2018 - How to Pick Up a Rabbit that Hates It: A step-by-step, long term guide Again, have a treat in the other hand and allow your rabbit to move away if he wants. Every time you pick your rabbit up and he wriggles, fights and gets scared it just reinforces the message that being picked up is a frightening experience and should be avoided. I'm guessing you've tried a few times already and your rabbit is probably not showing any signs of getting happier about the process. 6 My Rabbit Won’t Let Me Pick it Up Anymore. Home » Rabbit Behavior » Help! However, you need to ensure that they’re not causing serious injury to one another. If you insist on scooping up little Bunnikins all the time, you may find she starts running away from you and hiding every time you come near. Mia on April 29, 2020: I'm getting a house rabbit soon at my mum's I've had 3 before at my dad's but … Understand that when you leave a cherished possession within your rabbit’s reach, she will most likely gnaw on it the first chance she gets. This lets the rabbit know that his nipping hurts you. I'm not sure? Learning how to pick up your rabbit the proper way will alleviate fear and prevent injury. Note: If your rabbit has a messy behind, this is called poopy butt, and it is not normal. Before you think about picking your rabbit up you need to rebuild the trust between you. In short, rabbits are supposed to eat their own poop and should never be discouraged from doing so. It's not that I don't like you, but would you go up to a passing acquaintance, grab them around the waist and swing them across the room? In this video I show how I properly catch and pick up my rabbits. Always supervise children, and never pick up a rabbit … If he’s in good health, then perhaps you’re not providing the right kinds of enrichment for your bunny. He's a wild rabbit I hand reared. As before, have a treat in one hand and stroke along your rabbits back, until your hand is in the right position to lift and gently take a little of your rabbits weight. You must take measures to properly bunny proof any space your rabbit has access to. Use the environment to your advantage. It is an unnatural experience that they have to get used to. When you pick a rabbit up you touch their chest, shoulders and bottom - can you touch these areas of your rabbit without him running? Anyone got any rabbit whispering tips. So in this case, the fault is yours. Before you pick your rabbit up and carry him across a room, you need your rabbit to be comfortable with small movements. 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