lifting and holding my bunny

[berkua]

I just recently purchased my first rabbit.  He is a Holland Lop, and was born on September 12th, 2009.  I have been trying to make him comfortable with me, so I can pick him up, but he get extremely nervous when I try and lift him.  I went back to the farm where I got him, and had the man I got him from show me a few techniques, but the techniques seem a bit rough to me.  He told me I should grab a piece of the rabbit’s scruff to show him I am in control, and to firmly hold the base of the rabbit’s ears while I scoop his behind up off of the floor.  

 

Is there a better way to make my rabbit comfortable with being lifted up?  

 

I need help with this, as I want a happy rabbit that will want to be handled. 

 

Thanks!

 

[Elrohwen]

Welcome to BB! I love Holland Lops and would love to see a picture of yours

Unfortunately, the majority of rabbits hate to be picked up and always will! Rabbits are prey animals, so being lifted up is very scary to them because a predator would pick them up before eating them.

The best thing to do is get comfortable on the floor and let your rabbit come to you and get to know you. Most rabbits do enjoy being petted, and some will even sit on laps, but they prefer to initiate that contact and not to be picked up.

You will need to pick up for nail trims and other care – for that I would not recommend picking up like the farmer told you! Picking up by the scruff can be very dangerous. Some people pick up with one hand under the butt, one under the chest, and the bunny’s feet facing away from you, while others use a similar method with the bunny’s feet against your chest. I’m sure others will come along with other idea for ways to pick him up, but for now I would recommend just bonding with him on the ground and not worrying about picking him up.

[Karla]

I agree with Elrohwen that rabbits should only be picked up at rare occassions when it is absolutely necessary.

But when they are to be picked up, it is a good idea to know how. This site has some really good explanation to why you should NOT lift the rabbit in the ears or the scruff, and also some illustrations on how to carry the rabbit.

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Surger…ndling.htm <- check it out

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Welcome!!

He told me I should grab a piece of the rabbit’s scruff to show him I am in control, and to firmly hold the base of the rabbit’s ears while I scoop his behind up off of the floor.

Good instincts!! THAT is so the wrong way to pick up a bunny!! In fact you can seriously harm a rabbit like that-easily.

If your having trouble sometimes putting a towel over the bunny and wrapping them up and then picking them up can help you both get used to it. That link Karla posted is good too

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