Avoiding Being Picked Up

[berrinmichelle]

It may sound silly because I know that rabbits aren’t normally huge fans of being picked up due to fear of falling, heights, etc.  But when he was younger I could hold him in my arms with no problems, now if I pick him up to hold him, sometimes he’ll give me 5 seconds or so and then he jumps away.  If I try to stop him, he freaks!! 

[Diamond]

How old is he now? I know baby rabbits tend to be cuddlier than older ones. Also he might be going through puberty.

[LBJ10]

Completely normal. It’s like a switch is flipped. One day they seem okay with being held and then there is a complete 180. Practically overnight, they decide that being held is not a good thing and they will do whatever it takes to avoid it.

Funny how Wooly seems to be able to tell the difference. I will come into their room to get him for grooming, meds, etc. He automatically knows and he will make a mad dash for somewhere he can hide from me. I will come into their room for another reason and he will just sit there. I can even approach him and pet him. Funny, isn’t it? He just knows.

[Elrohwen]

As LBJ said, it’s totally normal. They also learn when they can wiggle and when you’re holding them firmly. Most are much worse at home in familiar environments, but will be docile in a vet’s office, or even a strange room of the house.

One of mine hated to be picked up and would thrash around at home, but he’d go to the vet and the techs would carry him around like a baby and say how sweet he was. lol

I usually corral mine into a carrier, lift them onto a table or into another room, and then pick them up from the carrier. Since they can’t get away once they’re in the carrier, they are much quieter about being picked up.

[berrinmichelle]

Hes about 6 months or so, so puberty is definitely a possibility. He lets me pet him and is actually very sweet about it, licks me constantly and has never shown aggression whatsoever. Hes just very “its on my terms” when it comes to being picked up.

[BlueMoods]

That is normal. To a rabbit you are a huge predator that they have learned will not hurt them but, you are still a predator and, try as they might, they can’t entirely override their instincts. Being picked up off the ground is, in the wild, the last thing that ever happens to a rabbit before it’s diner for a predator. Even though they trust us, it’s still scary for them to be picked up. Some tolerate it better than others and, most will welcome a human picking them up in a strange environment but, not so much in familiar surroundings.

[BunnyLady1989]

yep. Lulu only likes to be picked up when she wants to. But when we go to the vet she is the most lovey dovey bunny towards me and tries to hide under my arm or wiggle in my shirt.

[berrinmichelle]

Thats so strange! You would think it would be the opposite, wiggle in an unfamiliar place and feel comfortable in a familiar place. I think its partially his mood too..but he can be confusing. Just a few minutes ago I was sitting on the floor with him and he was licking me as always, so I pick him up and he squirms and jumps out of my arms, but only to turn around and continue licking me. So I try again, this time he proceeds to lick my neck and allow me to pet him and love him

[BlueMoods]

That sounds like my Tips, he loves attention, just has to do his “Are you sure you’ll let me go if I really want to?” test then, he comes right back to be held. Just his way of confirming, in his mind, that you are still the safe predator that loves him.

Like any animal, they don’t have as good a long term memory as we do so, they will do things repeatedly to confirm past experiences and, safety of known safe situations. In a strange environment, you become the only known safety, so the will gravitate to you for protection and security. You are much less dangerous that that shinny table or that funny smelling jar of alcohol wipes.

[LBJ10]

Yes, it’s miraculous what a vet visit will do. Suddenly bunny comes flying into your arms in order to get away from that evil person trying to stick something in their mouth or ear or whatever. One of my chinchillas was like that too. He would try to get up to my shoulder so he could hide in my hair.

[BunnyLady1989]

Yeah lulu is funny. She’s like that at the vet, my car, and my work (the only 3 places we go out). Then as soon as I get her home she wants down now and stomps and kicks in bunny disapproval….until she hears the treat drawer open lol

[Author]

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