Rabbit Handling: How to PICK UP a bunny rabbit, BunnyCentral

[Nikkilol1111]

@IReallywantPie

Don't worry Her (or she) should stop when she gets use to u or if u put ur rabbit in a rabbit proof room with just u Nd wait for her to come up 2 u just lightly pet ur rabbit that's how I got my rabbit to stop freaking out!!! :D

[cutiestrawberries]

u make it look so easy...

[IReallywantPie]

My bunny is still really fisty and freaks out even when i pet her and love her. :(

[Sugarplume5]

thats is one way but theres another way that i like

[MilitantKaos]

Lol if I pick up my rabbit like this I'll look like I've been mauled by a bear

[SuperReptilianboy]

2 people dislike because their bunny don't like to be picked~ =w=

[jjjonse]

LOL some funny comments in here :D

[aviswifey1808]

that bunny looks like its used to getting picked up. now demonstrate with a bunny who kicks and runs away. not as easy anymore. that's the problem im having...

[razorcrush12]

How do you place a bunny down without getting it scratched? When I'm about to place my bunny down, it jumps out of my hands which scratches me :(

[bunnycentral]

@razorcrush12 : Put them down bottom first, ,make sure they are facing you, then place them down QUICKLY before they know they are being placed down. Wear long sleeves.

[bunnycentral]

@razorcrush12 : Also see my video; How to place down a bunny., I think that is the title.

[LittleShroomChild]

@razorcrush12 or you just sloly get your bunny to trust you by playcing it down slowly. it just takes time.

[purplellamarider]

When I put my hand by my bunny's chest he squirms and runs away. What do I do ?

[bunnycentral]

@purplellamarider : Do it faster, One hand under the belly, one under the rump and lift. One, two three seconds till you put them on your chest. Be sure to pet them on the head and comfort them first, then GO!

[HRPCivicSi]

My bunny scratches me when I try =(

[bunnycentral]

@HRPCivicSi : See my answer to purplellamarider

[bunnycentral]

@HRPCivicSi : See my answer to purplellamarider

[bunnycentral]

@HRPCivicSi : See my answer to purplellamarider

[gymnasticsgurl2008]

ya try to pick my rabbit up like that hhe was scrach the hell out of you

[18yrsandolder]

@gymnasticsgurl2008 yeah...same here. it kicks on all hours and turn me into shredded meat =_=

[18yrsandolder]

@18yrsandolder fours*

[bunnycentral]

@18yrsandolder : See my answer to purplellamarider

[bunnycentral]

@gymnasticsgurl2008 : See my answer to purplellamarider

[SpeedGrapher09]

so i still not understand first hold them by their chest then their butt right?

[bunnycentral]

@SpeedGrapher09 : Right,do it all quickly before they realize you are picking them up. Have them face you then love them, then up they go!

[bunnycentral]

@SpeedGrapher09 : Yes, by their chest then cup their butt.

[Lonaart]

brilliant! now, how to pick up a squirming / kicking rabbit < a video on that would be appretiated!

[bunnycentral]

@Lonaart : Fortunately, I do not have a rabbit like that. When I hold other peoples rabbits, they rarely kick or squirm. I guess my hands anticipate a squirm and I probably apply just the right pressure/gentle grip to avert the explosion, unconsiously. ;-) . 

[hellconflict]

i pick my bunny at his fur on his back and then i use my other hand to support his ass , is that good?

[bunnycentral]

@hellconflict : That can work, as long as you support his rear and do not dangle him by his scruff. His skin could separate if you dangle him or jerk up by the scruff. That would hurt!

[bunnycentral]

@MonstaPops : See my video: How to place down a rabbit on my youtube site, bunnycentral. G

[3333sweetie]

@bunnycentral Do you think cats are more affectionate & playful with their owners than rabbits? Why or why not?

[bunnycentral]

@3333sweetie : Probably cats are more affectionate and playful. Rabbits ARE affectionate and playful, but differently. They are like a two year old child: run around, come up for a hug, runaround some more, come up to chin you, run around, then plop down to rest.

[3333sweetie]

@bunnycentral but MANY cats that I've come across at shelters don't stay on your lap for long, and often go do their own thing too. I've picked up baby rabbits at pet stores, and they were huddled agaisnt me in my hands MUCH LONGER than ANY cat. Maybe b/c they were babies, I don't know. Do you think rabbits are fun loving like dogs? Because cats sleep more than rabbits and don't play much with little balls like rabbits do.

[bunnycentral]

@3333sweetie : I suppose they are all different. I hear from my friends with house rabbits that they are VERY interactive (especially the males who circle you) . People tell me stories about their rabbits all the time. Cats are different from each other. I guess I am not the one to ask ...

[bunnycentral]

@3333sweetie : I do not have a house rabbit now - when we did she was very interactive, even climbed up on the couch and spread over my neck when I was reading the newspaper. We have a cat from the shelter - who will barely tolerate being petted and loves it other times. It's a mystery. Dogs are different too. Our current dog guards us, she sits with her back to us looking out. She is not an adoring dog. My past dogs sat there dying to be touched - all the time. All different.

[3333sweetie]

@bunnycentral did that interactive rabbit u had stay on your lap for a while? Also, how did u deal with the constant rabbit pooping of pellets everywhere?

[bunnycentral]

@3333sweetie : I only let her in to visit for my morning teatime, then put her back out. She was not house trained.

[3333sweetie]

@bunnycentral why not litterbox train her then?

[Sarimperil]

Do you know if there's an appropriate method to pick up a bunny with one hand?

[OrindaHorsemensAssoc]

@Sarimperil : If they are tame and trust you you can scoop them up under their belly, quickly. Only do this on ones you know will accept it safely. Otherwise you have to use the total support method.

[bunnycentral]

@Sarimperil : scoop up under the tummy but only if they are VERY tame and trusting.

[Arethriel]

@bunnycentral So far they've been pretty good with that. :D Thanks.

[Schickrevolutionist]

great! my rabbit freaks evrytime i try 2 pick her up. lol my parents used 2 have em when i was lil but this is my 1st time w/ 1 of my own. lol thnx so much!

[tionluvs2dance2music]

see some rabbit aren't that calm. some act too scared where your afraid to even attempt to pick him up

[sarahlbeal]

How can you get a rabbit used to being picked up? my rabbit struggles when i pick her up, so im always scared she will break her back and so i put her down. Shes also getting very aggressive and growls at me, and bites my trousers and skin. HELP!!!

[kissmabut1]

Hi there, ive got a rabbit and ive had it for a year he let's me stroke him. But as soon as i go to pick him up he attacks me by kicking me and scratching me anyone got any tips?

[RadReb5]

thankyou so much, i am getting rabbits soon and it is my first time!

[bunnycentral]

@RadReb5 ; Watch all the videos - I'm sure you are. Very good idea to do your homework before getting your first bunny.

[Limebunny255]

:( my bunny always runs away when i try lol

[DeathMetalShredd666]

i pick up bunnies by their tails

[bunnycentral]

@DeathMetalShredd666 , you are being silly. Judging by your name you must be at the age where you think hurting things is funny. It's not. Wait until someone you love is hurt by an unkind person/ event. Then you will feel the hurt too and you hopefully will grow up. It is never too late learn to be kind to other living things. Of course one should NEVER pick rabbits up by their tails.

[JeanPlaisance]

@bunnycentral OHO! GOOD ONE! Owned him!

[Schickrevolutionist]

@bunnycentral right. its gotta hurt. ive been pickin her up just by the stomach and tht hurts on me when i was lil so i figured out wht ive been doin wrong. lol

[pookmasterfunk]

my friend picked his bunny by his ears!!

[bunnycentral]

@pookmasterfunk As you know this is a bad idea, It can break the cartilage in the ear. It can also cause the ear to bleed internally and get a huge fat heavy ear. This costs A LOT to fix. So, kindly tell you friend that picking up by the ears is hurtful to the rabbit.

[yoshidabomb]

Thanks. Now I know how to put my rabbit in it's cage without bleeding to death.

[StartMyFire]

@yoshidabomb AMEN.

[kizzization]

i just got my bunny today i picked him up and he sctratched me ...help !!!

[Cherrychip99]

@kizzization i dont have a rabbit but i know every small pet is ALWAYS shy at first. Dont worry my guinea pig HATED me at first and now she only dislikes me LOL im still working on her. Its the same thing with rabbits.

[bunnycentral]

@Cherrychip99 , we got a guinea pig too, she was a rescue. I took 2 months before she was comfortable in being picked up. Still I have to be sure to pet her first and comfort her before I pick her up but she is handling it better. I'm happy because I hate to see an animal frightened to be handled.

[kizzization]

@Cherrychip99 yeah thanks for the advice. but he is comfortable with me now, a bit too much because he has actually chewed my rug and my clothes...LOL

[tallflameboy21]

i own a rabbit and i am really quite scared to pick it up , it don't do nothing but when my older sister picked it up from middle of the chest ( your supposed to put it all they way to its chest ) it just poped out jumped and i am very uncomfortable touching its delicate stomouch PLZ HELP!

[bunnycentral]

You have to cup your hand under his bottom so you are supporting his weight there. Also under his belly or chest. Quickly move him to your chest. Once he is on your chest you move your right hand from under his chest to hold it's shoulder, almost around his neck. Hold snugly until he calms down, then slightly loosen your hold.

[bunnycentral]

It is OK if they are a little long if that makes you feel comfortable. You just have to do it more often. As you gain experience you will know how close you can go.

[EVILicecreamman987]

THANKS YOU SO MUCH. also should its nails be cut short or is it okay if they are a little long

[congospork1]

determining gender tough? psh my bunny has nads that a teenager would be proud of

[magic4Getii]

MY BUNNY GETS OFFENDED WEN YOU TOUCH HER STOMACHE!! SO HOW CAN I PICK HER UP? plz tell

[Clouise44]

My bunny is ok being picked up, but when you go to put her down she goes a little crazy and squirms. I end up getting heavily scratched and im afraid she will get out of my hands and get hurt. Help!

[bunnycentral]

Always wear long sleeves. Put them down bottom first QUICKLY before they know it is happening. Good luck.

[xxMrROBOTOxx]

us that a holland lop

[bunnycentral]

It is a mini lop. G

[magic4Getii]

i have a mini lop too! but she gets mad when u touch her tummy f

[bighairgirl]

That was a really great demonstration! I might get a DWARF bunny.......(SO CUTE!!!!!)

[bunnycentral]

Thank you, Enjoy your bunny. Be sure to meet the parents, some dwarf bunnies are hyperactive, make sure the parents are calm.

[bunnycentral]

Determining gender is hard to describe. I've seen pictures on the Web but do not have a link.

[icelynx360]

this is pretty much out of topic but do you happen to know how to check whether your rabbit is a boy or a girl so i can give him/her a suitable name

[bunnycentral]

How old? An adult female will have a "lump" of fleshy area under their neck ... the male will have testicles after 5 months or so. I turn the bunny over and pull gently on their tail and press just in front of their genitals until the genitalia "pop" up. The male has a "donut on a stick (or post) the female's vent looks like a lily flower - opens more redish, more of a slit, finishes near the anus and the other end of the vent curves over slightly.

[SonicN687]

my rabbit runs when I touch his belly! :(

[bunnycentral]

See my note to tomerli1, I just posted it, maybe that will help. G.

[SonicN687]

Where on earth is that note?!

[SilverSalvia]

My rabbit still runs away from me, this would prove difficult.

[bunnycentral]

wear a sweatshirt to protect your skin. Pick him up the way you are accustomed to. Then, when you hold him, touch his belly and rub him all over to de-sensitize him. I'm guessing you do not pick him up very often and he is just hand shy.

Many people are timid when they hold the rabbit. You have to have a good firm grip and "contain" him so he cannot get away. The more you do this successfully, the more he will submit to getting lots of loves and snuggles. Good luck.

[mylilmei]

my bunny won't let me touch his belly.  he's run away if my hand were to go anywhere close to his belly or his lower sides. any tips or advice?

[antiisaacbarbie17]

Ooh I hope me and my husband's bunny wont poop on us lol.

[bfoxk]

omg ive been holding the rabbit right all along! everyone else holds it the other way..u.u

[tomerli1]

my rabbit will not allow me to pick her up...she always kicks and scratches. Is there anything i could do to make her stop and to like being picked up and handled??

[iris72]

there is nothing you can do about that. Rabbits have the natural habbit not to like being picked up because for them is it like being taken by a hawk. they do not like to be taken in the high for them it is the same as being eaten. I also have a rabbit and he also dislikes to get picked up.

[bunnycentral]

It may take some time but bunnies that are shy need to build trust. Will she eat a treat out of your hand? Start with that. If she will not, then give her the treat in the cage til she really likes it. Then let her eat it out of your hand. Then pet her while she eats it. This may take weeks. Eventually, pick her up (wear a sweatshirt) hold her till she stops struggling, then give her the treat while holding her. Slowly get her addicted to you being the sourse of love and treats.

[bunnycentral]

... Eventually if you are confident and feel stable to her she will become trusting.

[ckaliban]

You do NOT pick them up by their ears! When I pick up my rabbit (and only when it's necessary) I scoop her up from behind and quickly grab her hind legs with one hand and cradle her in my other arm while petting and gently talking to her. My wife helps as well in keeping our bunny calm. (She does not like to be held.) Rabbits CAN break their spines, so maintaining the hind legs is important. (So is keeping the bunny calm.)

[bunnycentral]

Agreed. Do not use their ears. Their ears are made of cartilage, it can break. I had a friend who had a friend pick up the bunny by the ears. This caused a blood clot in the ear thatI had to drain.

[Mrissface]

my vet said you are supposed to pick them up by their ears because if you hold them like babies on their backs they can break their spines.

[twinkimaster]

Find a new vet. Your current one sounds totally unqualified.

Picking up a bunny by the ears is the first thing a vet should tell you to NOT EVER do.

[Schickrevolutionist]

@twinkimaster wht moron would tell u 2 pick 1 up by the ears? sounds like a total jerk!

[pixelsquad]

mrissface, would you want to get picked up by the ears? If I picked up my netherland dwarf by the ears Im sure he'd be pissed off and damaged. Your vet is a moron.

[arizonaapples]

ATTENTION PEOPLE WATCHING THIS VIDEO: Even though that rabbit is used to his handler, and obviously comfortable with her, that is not a good way to pick up rabbits. If you pick up a rabbit like that, you actually have no control over the rabbit. If the rabbit were to get scared, it could easily jump out of your arms and scratch or bite you.

[arizonaapples]

THE CORRECT WAY TO PICK UP A RABBIT: with your right hand, grab the scruff of skin on its neck, with both ears in your hand, too (unless it's a smaller rabbit with little ears). Then, using your left hand, scoop up the rabbits bottom. To carry the rabbit, you can have in that position, or hold it under your left arm like a football.

This way, you have more control over the rabbit, and holding it like "a football", you have its face hidden and it feels safer.

[jersey826]

Not so much. The way shown in this video is a better way of handling a rabbit than grabbing the scruff and/or ears. In my 5+ years experience w/ rabbits I have found that the best way to pick up a rabbit is like this video, but most importantly is to make that transition to your chest as quick as possible to prevent the rabbit from "freaking out".

[Foolsnightmare]

Do you even own a bunny?? This is the second time I found bad information being posted by you.

[bunnycentral]

Some people use this system and it works for them. Some judges at shows do this to flip the rabbit to check their undersides. Both ways work, but I think one needs experience to grab the rabbit safely with the scruff/ear without scaring it. For a "newbe" ... I like the belly/bottom scoop system, the handler is more comfortable and the rabbit, if you do it quickly, more secure against your chest.

[bunnycentral]

This rabbit is not mine, he was visiting and his owners were having trouble handling him. I could easily ... maybe it is because I am not timid in handling him, I am gentle but firm; confident. I pick them up quickly and do not let them dangle in the air. I bring them to my chest quickly and hold tightly for a second til I sense they are feeling secure then release slightly. Once I feel the relax, I pet them and assure them they are safe.

[BabyBabeBoo]

My Rabbits Been Sneezing My Mum Says Its Nothing But Im Not Sure Wot Do I Do?

[bluetearose]

Rabbits have very sensitive respiratory systems. I would take her to the vet if she is still sniffling, but first check her environment. If the room is really dusty or her cage is dirty that could bother her. Aerosols and fragrant candles are also bad for rabbits. She might need some medicine if she has some sort of respiratory infection. Take her immediately if you see discharge from her nose.

[snakevpr]

what if a cat sounds like that and is sneezing to how bad could that be pls tell me in detail

[Cutsieputsie]

thank you so much

[magentablossomberry4]

its mangoluva again. my bunny iscomfortable with me now so thnx. he sometimes runs back and forth to the same place really quikly a lot its wierd. do u know wats happening to my bunny?

[bunnycentral]

Young bunnies run a lot, it might be just energy or hyper young behavior. He prob. wants attention. Give him a big hug and love.

[lclagu]

how do you treat rabbits worm?

[bunnycentral]

Look up rabbits and worms using Google. I use Ivermectin, a horse wormer. Just a tiny amount, the size of a Q-tip, (if you have q-tips where you live). Do not overdose.

[mangoluva99]

my bunny is new and doesnt do much. When i try to pick it up it turns his head and it scares me. What should I do?

[bunnycentral]

Get to know the rabbit better by putting a big towel on the couch and letting it run around you while you are playing with it or watching TV. Or lay down on the floor and read a book so the bunny can be more comfortable with you. When the rabbit comes to you and "chins" you it is becoming more comfortable with you.

[mangoluva99]

thank you :)

[aylakai]

I finally got around to looking at your videos. Wonderful! I love to see all the comments about how much you helped people with their rabbit care. So cool!

Love,

Your niece Kim

[bunnycentral]

Thanks! G.

[lisabunny27]

Last week, I bought myself a rabbit.She's 2 months old. Everytime i try to pick her up she tries to jump out. She's so afraid. What should I do?

[bunnycentral]

See my note above to mango...

[XxNitallaxX]

I do that! it's a great way to hold your rabbit and it's the proper way! my rabbit licks me and loves me and he knows that I'm safe! you guys are excellent!

[bunnycentral]

Thank you

[lclagu]

I took my rabbit to the vet, bec she was sneezing. And the vet prescribed "BAYTRIL" is this safe for the rabbit? Because i heard that some antibiotics can be deadly.

[bunnycentral]

Baytril is an excellent medicine for the rabbit

[lclagu]

Pls! post a video of how to clean a rabbit genital scent gland.. Thanks!!

[bunnycentral]

Just use a warm cloth to wet it and wait 5 minutes and clean it out. If it does not come off the first time, repeat. You can also hold the rabbit under a warm stream of water like my spot bath video, then do the above.

[buggyMCbugpants]

that is one fuzzy bunny!

[Dracosgal8]

I need help i am looking 4 someone in Va to neuter my rabbit but it needs to be inexpensive if any one knows a number or something please contact me

[marshmallower]

Oh wow I didn't know you put the rabbits front paws on your chest.

[mikael789]

tyvm....poor rabbits were getting scared like hell

[ambersumma]

I love people who post videos like this thank you!

[bob1304567]

tanx. u rock. now i can actually pick my rabbit up. Now its becoming tamer and letting me stroke it

[bunnycentral]

Great, rabbits are ground dwelling animals and low in the food chain so one always needs to make them feel safe. When you do, they respond.

[HinataHyuugaRulz]

Wow! That looks like that will work with my bunny! But there is other strategies i will try first..:D

[pupluv411]

hey thnx!!! my bunny is not afraid anymore!

[bunnycentral]

Cool, I am hoping for this type of responce. G.