Picking up bunny

[Hazel0283]

I adopted a bunny around 7 months ago and I have never once held him. When I adopted him he was 3 years old living in a pretty good loving home from my impression of things. He was neuter and free run around the apartment. She showed me pictures of her holding and being close to him. He seemed really well taken care of

When I was taking him home the previous owner picked him up and put him in my carrier and he was totally fine with being pick up. So I brought him home and he adapted quickly and got friendly quickly too. He would jump onto my lap and come right up to me and let me touch him but he would run away when ever I get close to his underside except for his butt. And he would become afraid when I use two hand to pet him(maybe he figure out i’m trying to pick him up). So I send a text to the previous owner and ask if maybe he doesn’t like to be pick up but she said he is fine with it. So i’m wondering if i’m rushing it?( I didn’t attempt to pick him up until he was familiar with me and would jump on me on his own) or am I holding him wrong?(supporting the butt and the chest and bring him close to me) or does he associate being pick up as being rehome?(last time being held was getting rehomed) or he is just at that age where he does not like it anymore? or he just don’t like me to hold him? which is weird since he is fine with being held by the previous owners friends too 

If he never lets me hold him how do I cut his nails?

[Bam]

If he has been ok with being picked up as an adult bun, he might let you pick him up too, but it can take a long time still. Adult bunnies tend to need a lot of time to learn to trust you completely, and letting oneself be picked up is the ultimate sign of trust, since in nature, nobody picks an adult bun up unless he’s planning to have the bun for dinner =/

You do have to pick him up for nail-trimming and health-checks though. It’s a million times easier if you have someone to help you, but if you haven’t, you haven’t. To cut a reluctant bunny’s nails you do a bunny- burrito, meaning you wrap the bun in a towel so it can’t hop away. If you are two people, the person holding the bun in his/her knee can cover the bun’s eyes with a hand or a piece of towel, that makes them less super-scared. But don’t expect him to like having his nails cut. You’ll need a gentle but firm hand and be prepared for twitches and kicks and other efforts at getting away.

Supporting the chest and butt and holding him close is good, esp if the bun can stick its head in the curve of your elbow, (between the elbow and your body). It makes them less scared if they can hide their head.

[Reeem]

I’m sure once he’s more comfortable in his new home and around you he’ll let you pick him up. Thankfully my bun will let me pick her up and let me hold her in any position which makes lots of things easier so I hope he’ll let you pick him up soon !

[Author]

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