Domestic rabbits are great pets because they are easy to train and adapt to indoors.It's important to learn how to restrain your pet when you live with a rabbit.Rabbits have powerful hind legs that can cause injury if they kick out with them.You just need to learn how to pick up a rabbit.
Step 1: Help your rabbit get used to handling by gently petting him.
Increase the time with the bunny with short intervals.Place a plate of greens out for the rabbit to eat while you stroke him to make him less anxious.Make sure you don't make sudden moves or sounds that alarm your rabbit.When you pet the rabbit, be gentle.Rabbits run and hide if they feel threatened.To avoid towering over the bunny, sit on the floor.
Step 2: Do not pick up a rabbit.
Pick up a rabbit by its ears, legs, scruff, or tail.If you pick them up wrong, they could be seriously injured.The rabbit will react by pulling away if you grab on to limbs, tails, or ears.Doing so may cause a broken or torn muscle or soft tissue.Adults should pick up and restrain a bunny at first.Children can pet the bunny while it is sitting on the floor or in the lap of an adult.Staying close to the ground is a good preventative measure.The rabbit won't fall a long distance if they try to escape.
Step 3: Put your palm under the rabbit's chest and lift its legs off the ground.
The rabbit should get a treat after.It will get used to being picked up.
Step 4: The loose skin behind the rabbit's neck can be used to hold onto its scruff.
Don't pick the rabbit up by the scruff alone, but use this as a handle to prevent forward motion while you use your other hand to tuck the hind legs under the bunny.Roll the back legs underneath the bunny and hold the feet up with your hand.It will prevent the rabbit from kicking out.Some people think that scruffing a rabbit is a good idea.scruffing doesn't hurt the rabbit.
Step 5: Lift the rabbit with two hands.
Place them under his chest and behind him.It should be comfortable for you and the rabbit.Make sure you have a firm grip on the rabbit's body so that it doesn't leap from your hands when you lift it.Keeping your hand on the rump will keep the hind legs secure.If the bunny kicks out, the hind legs should be in the opposite direction of the head.You don't have to lift or bend to get closer to the rabbit.The rabbit is on the ground.
Step 6: The right approach is used.
Lift a rabbit from a cage or a confined area in your house is the best way to do it.It is more difficult to get a rabbit out of a side opening cage.Trying to pick up a rabbit in a room with a lot of furniture will be difficult because rabbits run and hide when approached.The hind legs should be first out of the opening when removing a rabbit from a side or front carrier.They will jump back into the carrier if you let them go.Hold the bunny's head away from you, and gently hold on to the scruff, by using only one hand.The other hand is used over the bunny's rump to get his hind legs into the "bunny ball" hold.Lift the bunny out of the ground and place it under your arm to hide.Just remember not to dangle the bunny by the scruff if you are getting it out of a top-opening carrier.If this bunny is calm and well handled, you are likely to be able to safely pick up the bunny with one hand under its chest and the other on the rump, without holding on to the scruff.The bunny will struggle and try to get down if it feels like it will fall.If this happens, put the bunny back in the carrier and use the scruff to help with restraint.
Step 7: Don't drag the rabbit out of the hiding place.
If your rabbit runs under furniture, give it a treat and then try to pick it up.If you manage the area you can prevent the rabbit from being able to get away and hide so that it doesn't have access to hiding places that are difficult for you to access.Use an exercise pen to confine the bunny, but allow them an area large enough to hop around.Pull on a rabbit's tail to get it to move closer to you.If you want to prevent the rabbit from getting away, you need to hold the scruff and keep the hind legs.Don't dangle the rabbit by the scruff.The injury to the rabbit will be caused by this.
Step 8: There are signs that the rabbit won't let you pick it up.
If a rabbit thumps a hind leg when you approach, this is a warning to you that you are in their territory and they are not happy with your presence.Be prepared because the rabbit may be more difficult to handle.Again, remember to use confinement within an exercise pen or other area to help you manage the rabbit's access to hiding places and allow you to find and restrain it more easily.
Step 9: The head of the bunny is slightly higher than the hindquarters.
If the rabbit tries to jump out of your arms, do not point its head down.
Step 10: Carefully place the rabbit under your arm.
Being able to hide a bit will make the rabbit feel more secure.If you are right-handed, place the bunny's head under your left arm.Wrap your left arm around the outside of the rabbit so that you can hold the hind legs under it.If the bunny moves suddenly, place your right hand over his neck to get a hold of the scruff.Do not swing your rabbit through the air.
Step 11: Pass the rabbit to someone else.
While the other person gets a hold of the bunny, place the rabbit on a table.Don't pass the bunny in the air.This could cause the rabbit to fall from a great height.
Step 12: Limit the possibility of injury.
If you feel like you are losing control when carrying the rabbit, crouch down to the ground or a table.This will give you a place to regroup and re-grip the bunny.
Step 13: Extra-wriggly rabbits need a carrying case or a wrap.
No amount of treats or petting will change the rabbits' personality.Rather than attempting to pick them up, it's best to use a carrying case to move them from one place to the next.To restrain the rabbit, use one hand to hold the scruff and the other to grab the bunny in a bunny ball and transfer it to the carrier.
Step 14: While holding the bunny in the football hold, lower the rabbit to the ground.
There is a risk of injury to the rabbit if it is released when in your arms.rabbits try to jump when they can see the floor, so be sure to keep a firm grip.
Step 15: If you want to place a rabbit in a carrier, put it in the hind legs first.
The method decreases the chance of the bunny kicking out.
Step 16: Reward the rabbit with something.
Your rabbit deserves a treat after spending time in your arms.As you reward it, gently pet it.Next time, the rabbit will realize that being picked up isn't that bad.