Baby Bunny doesn’t want to be picked up!

[Bella's mom]

Hey everyone!! My sweet Bella is a doll. She doesn’t bite, she loves being around us. We have a dog cage/runner. We take her out every day for a few hours and we play with her. She loves jumping into our laps (when she wants to) and licks us, but she hates getting picked up. People tell us we have to but she freaks out and I don’t want her to not trust us and fear us. Do you guys have the same issues? If so, what did you guys do? We are getting her spayed soon, in a few weeks. When we take her out to play or put her in the carrier we use her litter box to transport her. We’d love Bella to feel more at ease but we don’t want to freak her out!! Any suggestions would be welcomed! TIA! Xo

 

[Blue eyes]

When we take her out to play or put her in the carrier we use her litter box to transport her.

Using a box (even a litterbox) to take her to her play area or her carrier is actually better than picking her up and taking her there. Carrying her risks injury if she squirms for whatever reason. If she squirms, she may be squeezed to tight (to prevent dropping her) OR she may jump out of those arms and injure herself.

Usually only young baby rabbits tolerate being carried about. Adults seldom do. Picking her up to examine her or trim her nails is one thing. But it isn't advised to pick her up to carry her around. That's just asking for trouble.

Ideally, her cage should be in her play area. Then it would just be a matter of opening the cage door. This is better for her because then she is free to return to her cage whenever she wants. She isn't forced out of her cage when she may not want to be, and isn't forced to remain out of her cage. By having her cage as part of her play area, she can come and go as she desires (provided the cage door is open). A rabbit usually feels safe and secure in their cage. It is a comfort to them to know that they are free to return there whenever they choose. [Perhaps an unfamiliar noise would cause them to want to return, for example, or just not being in the mood to run about.]