Picking bunny up

[Hayley34]

Hi I have 2 rabbits a male 18 weeks and female 10 weeks both are not neutered ( male is being done Friday) anyway at night they are in a hutch in my garage but during the day and evening they are indoor bunnies, at the moment we take it in turns, one in during the day and the other in the evening once bubbles has been neutered they will both be in all day and evening, the problem I’m having is picking my male up to check his bum and put him back in the hutch, literally I have to let him climb into the carrier from the hutch to transport him indoors once he’s in he is fine with being petted and stroked and he’s happy to climb and jump all over me but as soon as I go to pick him up he struggles and kicks out and I pretty much have to stalk him round the front room for about 15 minutes before I can grab him to put him back in the carrier, the past few days have been so bad I haven’t been able to even check his bum it really worries me as I’m scared he will hurt himself when I pick him up as he twists and kicks so badly I don’t have any problems at all with my female Fudge she happy to be picked up and she will lay on my lap and even happily lay on my lap on her back so I can check her bum, she just is absolutely and totally a lap rabbit, anyway there’s no way I can avoid picking him up as he has to go back in his hutch at night, what do I do?

[JackRabbit]

Curious, why are you checking his bum everyday?

You got lucky with Fudge! That may change though as she matures. Most bunnies do not like to be picked up. If you think about it, bunnies are prey animals so, in the wild, anything that picks them up eats them. Its instinctive for them to want their feet on the ground so they can run away from predators. Since you’re using the carrier to “transport” him (good idea!), try using a treat (even his regular pellets can be used as treats) to get him to hop in the carrier on his own. Leave the carrier out for him during playtime so he can go in and out of it at will so he’ll be comfortable going in for his treat and transport. If you can get him going in on his own, it will be alot less stress for both of you.

[litheandgraphic]

I’m assuming you’re checking his bum to see if there’s any wet or not. A good practice. However, I second what JR has said. Most rabbits despise being picked up. You may have to find another way of checking. Here’s a thought: put a mirror on the floor and then put some treats on the mirror and see if you can check him out via his reflection. Or you can use a hand mirror and sneakily check him that way. Or, you could lay on the floor and observe him as he hops away – any major issues should be visible right away.

Good luck!

[Hayley34]

Hi yes you’re right I’m checking everyday to make sure they’re clean and dry and make sure there’s no wet poop stuck in their fur, I live right next to a farm and the flies round here are ridiculous so I’d rather check too often than not enough better safe than sorry my females poops tend to be slightly wetter than my males so I’m being extra careful with her. The mirror idea is really good I’m going to try that

[Author]

Messages