How to Correctly Pick Up and Hold Your Rabbit

It's important to pick up and hold your rabbit correctly so you do not injure him, or worse yet break his back. Before you try to lift your rabbit, kneel on the floor, speak softly and pet him gently.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rabbit Bottle Waterers
• Rabbit Salt Spools
• Rabbits

Large Rabbits

1. Kneel beside your rabbit and place one hand under his chest, between his forelegs. Do not hold his legs; if you do, his legs may break if he struggles and tries to get away.

2. Slide your other hand gently over your rabbit's back toward his rump, then scoop your hand under his rump.

3. Lift your rabbit off the floor and pull him against your chest, so he is lying almost horizontally in front of you.

4. Cradle him against your chest, feet down. Position your arm under his head and against his chest, so that his forelegs hang downward between your arm and your chest. Use the arm that lifted your rabbit's chest; that area of his body is lighter, and you can more easily slide your arm around him while you're still supporting his rump.

5. Sit on the floor or on a sofa, especially if you're just learning how to lift and hold your rabbit. That way, if he jumps out of your arms, he won't fall very far.

6. Hold your rabbit firmly, but don't squeeze him or you may break some of his bones.

7. Use your free hand to gently pet his head and ears and to rub his cheeks. Most rabbits like to have their cheeks rubbed after they get to know and trust you. It's the way they show affection to each other, so it tells them that you care about them.

8. Practice this technique daily until both you and your rabbit are comfortable with it. This will help your rabbit become accustomed to being handled, which will make vet visits and nail trimming easier and less traumatic for both of you.

Small Rabbits

9. Kneel on the floor facing your rabbit.

10. Place one hand on either side of his body, with your fingertips pointing toward and cupping his rump. Make sure your thumbs are facing the ceiling and the outside edges of your hands are grazing the floor.

11. Hold your rabbit firmly. Lift him up toward you and against your chest, so he is lying almost horizontally in front of you.

12. Follow steps 4 through 8 above.

Tips & Warnings

• Use this technique only if your rabbit is small enough for you to lift his entire body without letting his legs dangle. If you cannot cradle his rump as you lift him, use the technique for large rabbits.
• Never pick up a rabbit by the ears. Rabbit ears are very sensitive and easily damaged.
• Always support your rabbit's rump with one hand as you lift him and use the other hand to support his upper body. Never let your rabbit's hind legs dangle; the weight of his lower body can break his back.
• Do not lift a rabbit by the scruff of his neck. He will kick and may break his back.

[olesiaalam]

on 10/17/2008 my rabbit bites and growls so much,we cant even find out if we have male or female because he/she so aggressive. it's like a pitbull with bunny ears,we know this bunny is about 9-10 months old and we try to handle it gently and give it space in the yard to play, but he attacks even our shoes,hands and we had him/her for 5 months and he/she did not change ,only getting more territorial and aggresive ,we cant add food to his bowl without being attact or jumped on,we getting tired,is there any help for our "Scooby",or we should give up? help.

[olesiaalam]

on 10/17/2008 my rabit bites and growl,we cant even find out if we have male or female because he/she so aggresive,like pitbull with bunny ears,we know this bunny about 9-10 months old and we try to handle it gently and gave space in yard to play sometimes but he atacks even our shoes,hands and we have him/her for 5 months and he/she did noy change ,only getting more territorial and agresive ,we cant add food in bowl without being attact or jumped on.we getting tired.there any help for our "Scuby",or we should give up ?help.

on 11/22/2005 I currently share my home with four rabbits (Momma and three babies). Even though I've been handling all three lovingly and for equal amounts of time since birth, every rabbit is different. Some just don't like to be held as much as others, and no matter how much you work with them, will always prefer not to be held. If they struggle when you try to pick them up, they can severely injure themselves as well as you. I have found it makes things a lot easier for all involved if you use a towel or pillow case by draping it over their back like a blanket, then gathering them up while supporting their bottom, then holding them close, with them looking over my shoulder, swaddled and in the same position you might use when burping a baby. They are calmer and seem more comfortable with being held, and I don't end up looking like I've been mauled by a lion when we're done. It's just a suggestion that has worked very well for me whenever I've used it.