She received her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University in 2010. It may help to switch to feeders and water bottles which you don't have to open the cage to refill, so your rabbit doesn't feel territorial objections toward you. ", wasn't too sure about that, so I searched it and I found you guys. This is to establish dominance. They won't be comfortable being high off the ground at first because it's just not in their nature. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Now it’s time to support his chest and bottom at the same time. Again, remember to use confinement within an exercise pen or other area to help you manage the rabbit’s access to hiding places and allow you find and restrain the rabbit more easily. I need to grip my rabbit's back legs firmly or she flips out. To carry a rabbit, pet it and speak to it gently to calm it down before trying to pick it up. There are differing opinions on whether or not to scruff a rabbit. Carefully remove each tick using tweezers. I rate it five stars. Use treats, in addition, to gently stroking or petting the bunny. If your rabbit is large and you need a big carrier, consider choosing a model with wheels or a shoulder strap to move it more easily. This video is unavailable. Wrap your left arm around the outside of the rabbit while using your left hand to continue to securely hold the rabbit’s hind legs under it. How do you carry a rabbit? If it does DO NOT try to tackle it as you may injure the rabbit. X Domestic rabbits make great pets because they adapt well to an indoor environment and litter box train easily. Place your other hand under the rabbits rump and push its hind legs forward. The idea is to prevent rewarding bad behavior by giving it freedom. When you feel confident your rabbit is ready to be picked up, scoop him/her up by placing a hand under the torso and pull your bunny close to your body. Dont make the rabbit scaredYou shouldn't hurt it. Keep your rabbit's fur clean and untangled, https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rabbits/company/handling, http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Surgery/Restraint/Handling.htm, http://www.therabbithouse.com/equipment/rabbit-carrier.asp, http://www.petful.com/pet-health/tips-keep-your-rabbit-healthy/, http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/outreach/Pet-Health-Topics/categories/miscellaneous-health-care-topics/is-your-bunny-healthy, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. How to joint a rabbit. Most rabbits are fine with one- or two-day trips, but longer periods away from home are stressful for them. Your bunny needs to feel secure in your arms. Rabbits do not carry their young this way and doing so can cause them distress since scruffing is a similar sensation to being grabbed by a hawk or racoon. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Rabbit Carriers. Remember, you are holding the hind legs so that they point forward, toward the head, the opposite direction of where the hind legs would be should the bunny kick out. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. For tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to transport your rabbit in a carrier, keep reading! When your bunny puts her teeth on you, firmly hold her down with a hand over her neck and say, "No". Your free hand that is not holding the scruff should be placed on the bunny’s rump. What should I do? Rabbits do not tolerate heat well, so you’ll need to ensure your vehicle is kept cool and well ventilated, using air conditioning if necessary. With the other hand you can grasp the shoulders or the skin of the neck to give a better control and prevent the bunny from escaping and running away. Rabbits can be carried on the arm, with the elbow supporting the back of the rabbit and the hand supporting the front members of the rabbit, thus avoiding the compression of the chest. Additionally, pick up your rabbit several times a week so it gets used to human contact. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. So being able to pick your bunny it is really about building trust. Some people use small crates meant for dogs, but it can be awkward to get your rabbit in and out of at front-opening cage if they won't willingly hop in it. Rabbits who are not handled regularly can find human contact distressing. 80. Get it as soon as Fri, Jan 15. Then, pick up the rabbit with your hand under its chest and its front limbs over the edge of your hand, which helps to prevent chest compression. Get down on the ground with the rabbit. It helped me pretty well. Rabbits are no exception to this. According to CDC, “small rodents like squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, chipmunks, rats, and mice) and lagomorphs including rabbits and hares are almost never found to be infected with rabies and have not been known to transmit rabies to humans” [ 2 ] % of people told us that this article helped them. Your bunny may not notice that a tick is feeding on them. Make a point of picking up and carrying your rabbit a few times a week, and not just when it need to be transported (e.g. Susan A. It is not difficult to pick up a rabbit safely and properly, you just need to learn how. This article has been viewed 26,625 times. References. Rabbits are prey animals, so when they feel threatened, they run and hide if they can. Do not hold your rabbit extended outward or swing it through the air. Pet your rabbit from above. Children can pet the bunny while it is on the floor or while sitting in the child’s (or adult’s) lap sitting on the floor. Support the rabbit’s hindquarters. Try to travel with your rabbit to a minimum, and keep it cool and calm during each trip. Using treats may help with training your rabbit to accept handling and restraint. Wild rabbits are plentiful in nature, even overpopulated in many places around the globe. If it’s a really hot day cool the car before you put your rabbit in. To carry your rabbit you should either hold it close to your body or use a carry case (see below). While it is important to predator proof your Rabbit’s hutch, it should be escape-proof, too. Image titled Carry a Rabbit Step 1. How to hold a rabbit securely. Don't reward bad bunny behavior. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 26,625 times. The skin on the back of their necks is very closely connected to the muscles underneath. Avoid transporting your rabbit over long distances – if possible, choose a veterinarian located close to home. Last Updated: November 13, 2019 Place both of your hands in the ‘hold’ position. Start by supporting the back end and picking the rabbit up by the back legs and bum, with your second hand under the chest. If this isn’t possible, partly cover hutches and other outside cages with blankets so that they have some soundproofing (while making sure they have enough ventilation). If you plan to keep your rabbit outdoors and not just indoors, then there are some precautionary steps that you need to incorporate onto your hutch. The familiar smells will help put your rabbit more at ease. Research source Place your right hand gently over the bunny’s neck, ready to get a hold of the scruff should the bunny move suddenly. Pet them back to tell them that you love them, too. Watch Queue Queue. 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