How to Trance a Rabbit

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Putting your pet rabbit in a trance can be a useful trick when you need to trim his nails, check his body for possible health concerns, clean scent glands and when visiting the vet. The tranced state of your rabbit is actually an instinct. Rabbits will play dead and wait for an opportunity to escape when captured by a predator. Rabbit owners can use this unique instinct to their advantage.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Sit on the floor or chair and place a towel over your legs for your pet rabbit. Your legs should be out in front of you. You can keep them flat or angle them up or down.
Step 2

Place your rabbit on its back and gently place him on the towel. Be slow and gentle with this step especially if this is the first time you have tried this with your pet.
Step 3

Remove your hands from his body when he is still.
Step 4

Touch the paws gently, scratch the ears and speak in a soft, slow voice to help him remain in a relaxed state.
Step 5

Work fast once you have your pet rabbit in a trance. Nail trimming, health checkups and any other pet care should take no more than 10 minutes while the rabbit is in a trance.
Step 6

Hold your rabbit with a firm grip and then gently flip him over to bring him out of the trance.

Tips & Warnings

These steps may have to be done gradually over time if you and your rabbit are not familiar with this process. Begin by just getting your rabbit used to being placed on his back. Once you are both comfortable with that step move on to the next one until eventually you can complete the entire process in one sitting.
Place your free arm in front of your pet while you're working on him in case the trance breaks and he tries to bolt off your lap.
Make sure you have all the supplies you need and within reach when getting ready to trance your pet rabbit.
When putting your pet rabbit in a trance, place a small towel over his eyes to help keep a him calm.
Pet rabbits can unexpectedly break from their trance and burst off of your lap. This is an instinctual response they have for escaping from their captors.