Holding a struggling rabbit?

strolls · 4 months

My Rum is a struggle-bunny. They call him "feisty" at the vet's, which I think it a euphemism for "little bastard".

When I have to pick him up I do so with one hand at each side of his body - I lift him close to my chest, and then quickly put the hand / forearm that's nearest me underneath him. So the other arm holds him close to me so that he can't struggle.

At one time, he would try to struggle away from me, but holding him like this I'm able to prevent him from climbing out. He has also, after 4 or 5 years, become more trusting and tolerant (of me, at least).

If I have to do anything medical, I get down on his level to administer it. I have an upholstered pouffe (footrest) next to the chair in my office; it's 13" high, and the bunnies know that they can sit on this and it puts them within arm's reach for me to pet them. I call it the "bunny bench", and they know it as a relatively safe place. I got this pouffe for free from the local freecycle, and I mention it because it's a little higher off the floor and so a little more convenient if I have give Rum eyedrops or an injection and risk having to hold him down.

If you're unable to find some kind of raised platform like this, I would just lie right down on the floor if you have to give medication. He will feel more comfortable like this than he will being held with his feet off the ground - in the wild that is the last precursor to being eaten.

SolidBones · 4 months

If you hold him against your chest and support his butt, he should be ok. If this fails, take one hand and gently rub his neck under the base of his ears, among the little folds of looser skin. This has the same effect as a mother's scruff, and will sometimes calm them down. Try not to touch his feet or tummy, that alarms most rabbits.

Every bun is different. Mine likes it when I rub a finger from the bridge of his nose, up his forehead, and between his ears. Almost puts him to sleep. I've had one that really liked it when I would nuzzle my face into her side, probably because I was warm. Another likes her ears rubbed.

If he needs to be upside down, try wrapping him in a towel, sitting with your knees up, and resting him tilted back against your thighs like a painting easel.

cujobunny · 4 months

You have to build a trusting relationship with your rabbit. I have a little guy that I rescued from a fair (he was a game prize) where he had people screaming at him and throwing ping pong balls at him. So, he was all sorts of skewed up. Anywho, the way I gained his trust was by opening the door to his cage and sitting on the floor. I would never pull him out of the cage because I wanted him to know that was a safe place. But rabbits are naturally curious animals so he would come out and hop over my legs and smell me and things, and over time I just worked up from staying still to petting him, to picking him up and walking around with him. Now when he's hoping around on the floor and walking around he fallows me and try's to climb up my leg and when I work on my laptop the only way I can get him to leave me alone is by putting him in my jacket so he can sit against my chest. He just loves to be loved. You would never know they are the same rabbit.

imstillyourking · 4 months

My bun is like yours. He Hates being picked up and only wants to cuddled on his own terms. Like @solidbones said every bun is different. That's kinda the special things about buns. Their personality.

emilybr · 4 months

Secure their feet against your chest or your hands and they will stop writhing. I set mine down and leave him be when he does this though, as they resent being held against their will. For medicinal purposes, however, definitely just hold him to your chest.

DialUpCaterpillar · 4 months

One way that I always calm my rabbit down is by covering his eyes. When he can't see, he usually stops struggling. This actually helps a lot when I'm putting him back into his cage. I would generally say slowly gaining his trust by bringing him (healthy) treats every time you pet him is also a good approach.

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