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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BEHAVIOR Why do bunnies hate being carried

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    • lunavenus
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        So, I was wondering if I could ever get my bunnies to at least tolerate being carried. Mainly because it makes putting them in carriers and handling them a lil easier. I don’t understand why they hate it so much. I know they are prey animals and stuff so yes instincts, but they should know that I’m not saving them up for dinner by now lol. 
        Also, how do I know that my bunnies have bonded to me? I get so confused with their unpredictable affections. Sometimes they hang out with me, sometimes they ignore me, sometimes they lick me, sometimes they don’t. 
        I wish they’d bond to me a lil more…. Does having bunnies in a bonded pair diminish or interfere with their bonds to humans? I hope not

        Anyways,
        Is there any way I could get them to be okay with being carried? I’m so jealous of those people who carry their bunnies, and the bunny doesn’t mind. I’ve tried using treats so they associate being carried with getting a yummy treat… but it’s not that effective. 
        If there’s no possible way to get them to tolerate being handled, I don’t mind. I just wanted to see if it’s possible. 


      • Mikey
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          Its in their nature to be afraid of being picked up because they are prey animals. Being picked up in nature usually means theyre about to be torn apart/eaten, so instinctually its very scary

          Two of my rabbits love being picked up and carried and the third one doesnt like the initial pick up but loves to be cuddled. I got them used to it by petting them, picking them up for a second, giving them a treat, then putting them down. Repeat several times, making it a little longer each time. It took well over a month for them to learn to enjoy it, but it was worth it. Blue demands cuddles and pick ups, and hes my emotional support bun so hes held and carried often when i take him places with me. Badger likes to be held and snuggled and will fall asleep in your arms if hes tired; he will fight it sometimes if hes very in an energetic mood. Bombur only likes pick ups if he gets a ton of pets during it; then he falls asleep. Once he wakes up, hes usually mad, but if you hand him another treat he will be happy again


        • lunavenus
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            Oh okay,
            I’ll try your method Mikey. Maybe I’m rushing this too much… I’m just so excited when I see them because they are so adorable
            I just wanna pick them up and cuddle the crap outta them but every bunny owner knows that bogus hahaha…

            Since I’m going into summer break, I’ll be able to spend a lot more time with them and maybe I could train them while I wait out the long summer break haha.


          • Kiahak
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              I would try the same thing, but I know my bun doesn’t take treats when i’m holding her because she’s too stressed. She even nipped at me the other day for the first time. I’m actually getting ready to spay her, so I hope she’ll calm down a little. I haven’t picked her up since, but I plan to do what you are doing (hold for just a sec, treat, and put down; repeat).


            • FloppyBunny
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                Bunnies are naturally more nervous animals since they are prey animals. You can try training them as Mikey said, however I think that a big part is their personalities. I’ve had 3 rabbits in my life. 2 out of those allowed me to hold them. My first boy didn’t mind being held, but my current boy HATES being held. I’ve had him for almost 4 years since he was a baby, tried to get him used to it, held him as a baby a lot, but he still hates it. However, it still technically “paid off” since I’m the only one capable of picking him up. My current girl is fine with being held, and she’s just naturally that way, even if she doesn’t know you. Try petting your bunny, then just lifting the front feet. Progressively increase by then lifting completely for just a second, etc.

                Just because they don’t like being held doesn’t mean they don’t like you. They show that they do by letting you pet them, by flopping down besides you (a show of trust), by licking you (not all do though), etc. As you noticed, somedays they want to be alone. With my rabbits it’s not very often, but when it does, just give them a quick pet and let them be. Throughout the years I’ve found that it’s the best way to not annoy them, and is almost always for a reason (for example, after being stung by a bee, my rabbit ignored me for a couple days). We all have days where we want to be alone, and they do too. It doesn’t mean they don’t like you.


              • Aki
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                  Some bunnies will never like being held. Aki is OK being carried around and held even if she doesn’t like it much – she will lick me as a signal she wants to be released after a few minutes. Pandora hated it, I think that rabbit was seriously scared of heights (just being on the vet table for vaccination made Pandora scream). Tybalt doesn’t like it either. You can totally cuddle your rabbits while sitting on the floor. That way, you can cuddle and you don’t make it an unpleasant experience for the rabbits.
                  As to the why they don’t like it… would you like being randomly lifted from the floor because some strange creature who is weirdly fixated on you and about 50 times bigger than you are decided to restrain you or carry you to god knows where on a whim? I really wouldn’t, so I totally get why my rabbits don’t appreciate it and I try to do it only when it’s unavoidable because I feel a deep sympathy for their plight XD.

                  Also yes, your rabbits will often ignore you. They have their own social life. Which is good. I can’t understand people who refuse to give their rabbit a companion because they are scared the rabbit will “like them less” (it feels a bit sociopathic to me, like forbidding your best friend to have other friends because you want them to only like you). The joys of “owning” rabbits are very different from having a dog or a cat. Watching them interact between rabbits is the greatest thing ever. If you mainly wanted affection, a rabbit was probably not the best choice of animal. I’m not saying some of them aren’t affectionate, but it’s not really the main characteristic of the species. It took four years for Aki to stop getting up whenever I got close to her. I feel deeply honored that now she trusts me enough to not react when I reach towards her (I’ve had her for seven years!). That’s her way of showing affection – most people who come to my house don’t even get to SEE her.
                  Rabbits are great that way… ^^


                • lunavenus
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                    I got my rabbits not for affection but for a sense of companionship. I am also allergic to like 7 different types of domesticated animal so I chose the one animal that I’m not allergic to, which are rabbits.
                    I also got them after a month and half of research and preparation.
                    I made sure I could provide the best for them as I could.
                    My rabbits dont get scared or walk away when I come up to them. They just sit there and let me pet them. If they are in a playful mood and I lay on the floor, they come out and jump onto my stomach and sniff my face.
                    They dont really lick me though and I rarely see them grooming each other even if they are bonded, so I think they are just not grooming type bunnies. They never really get scared to be honest. Just give them treats and they will love you and jump all over you.

                    They just dont like being picked up….
                    I just want them to get a bit used to being handled so i wouldnt have to worry about dropping them and hurting them when I have to pick them up and put them in their carrier or to clip their nails.
                    Its so I know they are safe because if they dont panic, then they wont be able to scram out of my grasp and possibly fall onto the floor and break something like their backs.


                  • Mikey
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                      It is true that not all rabbits will learn to love it or even like it. It depends heavily on their individual personalities. If some whatever reasons they refuse to be picked up without a fight, you can always use the burrito method (wrapping them up in a towel) to trim their nails or use a cat crate to transport them from place to place. But, dont give up and resort to these methods if the bribery i mentioned doesnt work out after a few times. Its almost like bonding; youll take a few steps forward and a few steps back once in a while. Good luck!

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                  Forum BEHAVIOR Why do bunnies hate being carried