Rabbits are standard pets and make great companions. They are available in many sizes and colors and luxuriate in human interaction. A part of caring for a rabbit is picking it up and holding it. However, there are many rabbits that require help being comfortable with human handling. Let’s look at the steps to pick up and hold them.

Picking Up A Rabbit

1. Familiarize yourself. Before holding a rabbit for the primary time, it’s best to let the rabbit get won’t to you. 

  • Get comfortable. If the rabbit’s cage or hutch is on the bottom, sit next to it. Height can often be terrifying to smaller animals and sitting down reduces height and may cause you to seem less terrifying.
  • Don’t rush. Put your hand beside the rabbit’s hutch or cage and encourage it to smell you. Hold your hand there for a couple of moments, speaking in soft, reassuring tones such as you would with a person who could also be frightened or uncomfortable.
  • Offer a treat. If the rabbit shows no signs of aggressiveness, take a treat like lettuce or carrot, and put your hand inside the cage or hutch. Don’t pressure the treat on the rabbit, but bring your hand close enough so it can smell the treat. A friendly rabbit would not have any problem taking the treat from you.
  • Understand shyness. A bit like some people, there are extroverted rabbits and introverted ones. Shyness doesn’t suggest the rabbit is aggressive or doesn’t like you; it’s going to just take longer for this rabbit to urge to understand you.

2. Attempt to pet the rabbit. If you’ve given the rabbit a treat and it doesn’t show signs of aggression or fear, pet the rabbit. Pet in long, slow strokes from the shoulders down to their flank, stopping at the highest of their hip. Avoid touching the rabbit’s head because this is often what a predator would do and therefore the rabbit won’t love it.

  • If the rabbit seems friendly; but, hasn’t moved toward you, curl your fingers under your hand, making it seem smaller and less threatening. Using the rear of your hands or fingers, lightly stroke the highest of the rabbit’s shoulder or flank.

3. Slide your hand under the rabbit’s armpits. You would like to select the rabbit up in such how that you simply are supporting a load of its body in the least time. The primary step is sliding your dominant hand, palm up, under the rabbit’s armpits, gently positioning your hand sort of a cradle. You’ll be wanting your hand to rest behind the elbows, but snug against the rear of the forelegs.

4. Lift and scoop. In one motion, you’ll lift the rabbit together with your dominant hand, while scooping under the rear and back legs with the opposite. Don’t be concerned if it doesn’t work the primary time. Your rabbit could also be skittish, otherwise, you could also be a touch awkward. Twiddling my thumbs, offering treats and pets until the rabbit seems relaxed again. Remember that the key is to lift and support the rabbit’s front and back legs at an equivalent time.

  • At all times, be able to gently place the rant on the ground or back within the cage. This is often just in case the rabbit struggles or tries to leap out of your arms which may cause physical injury.

Holding The Rabbit

1. Hold the rabbit. Cradling it on the brink of your chest, gently hold the rabbit. Your body acts as a balancing force for the rabbit and makes it feel safer. Sometimes, rabbits will even lean on your chest during holding them. You’ll also re-position it a touch in order that its tummy touches your torso, being sure to not force it onto its back, which may frighten it.

2. Pet the rabbit. Pat them gently while the scooping hand is still in place. Rub the rabbit’s ears and/or shoulders using the hand that’s under the torso. If the rabbit relaxes, change the hand that is holding his torso with the forearm of the hand holding his bottom. Using the hand from an equivalent arm, cradle his chest between his forelegs. This way, the rabbit is in a secure position; but, is often petted together with your other hand.

3. Sit down with the rabbit. After a short time, it’s going to be an honest idea to take a seat down and let the rabbit rest against your torso or lap.

  • Find a settee to take a seat on, or lean on a wall and gradually slump until your bottom is on the ground. Now, you’ll want to let the rabbit move freely around you and your lap.
  • Be sure to pet them and offer praises. This helps create a positive association with human interaction, also as being picked up and held. It also can build confidence in shy rabbits.
  • Play with the rabbit. If bunnies associate getting picked up with playtime, it can make them easier with the method. Build a cardboard house for your rabbit to play in, or let them have a tour and familiarize themselves with your own house. Found out objects sort of a bowling alley for the rabbit to knock down. As you get to understand the rabbit, its personality will unfold and you will know what kinds of games it likes to play.

4. Put the rabbit back in its cage. Once you are done petting the rabbit and letting it explore, pick it up again and gently put it back in its hutch or cage. It’s going to anticipate being put down and begin to struggle. Don’t drop the rabbit but, at an equivalent time, don’t squeeze too firmly as this will cause injury.

  • You can teach the rabbit to not struggle by bringing it quickly but gently back against your body. Twiddling my thumbs and repeating this until he sits calmly in your hands until you abandoning.
  • The first time, only expect him to be still for a brief moment before you let him go. As soon as he doesn’t struggle, put him down quickly, so he understands that he’s to be calm once you set him down.

Final Thought

All in all, we hope that this article has helped you to know more about how to pick up and hold your pet rabbit. Just remember these steps and tips, and you’re ready to go.

https://www.rabbitproducersassociation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/How-To-Hold-A-Rabbit-1024x576.jpghttps://www.rabbitproducersassociation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/How-To-Hold-A-Rabbit-150x150.jpgNetherland Dwarf RabbitUncategorizedRabbits are standard pets and make great companions. They are available in many sizes and colors and luxuriate in human interaction. A part of caring for a rabbit is picking it up and holding it. However, there are many rabbits that require help being comfortable with human handling. Let’s...All you need to know about Netherland Dwarf Rabbit