Like I watched this video where a woman was saying most bunnies hate being picked up. And I do see that. He isn't terrible about it but he isn't a fan of it. But if I lay him on my chest and just leave him there, he does stay and sort of looks relaxed. I leave him about 10 minutes and then I put him down. Do you think he is just freaking out that whole time? I mean is it a good thing I'm doing this or should I not
Do all bunnies not like being held?
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pani
Bunny servant Lotte
Most rabbits will try to escape when picked up, or before you're even able to pick them up. Rabbits in the wild are picked up before they're preyed upon, so it's their instinct to try and escape.
If your bunny is sitting at his own will on your chest, and not making any attempts to move, it sounds like he probably does feel relaxed with you. It would also help if you're not actively holding him (hands around him), and he's instead just laying there.
If your bunny is sitting at his own will on your chest, and not making any attempts to move, it sounds like he probably does feel relaxed with you. It would also help if you're not actively holding him (hands around him), and he's instead just laying there.
lovelops
Well-Known Member
Yes all bunnies do not like being held!
HE HE HE
No, actually it's the prey/fight or flight thing. Out of my 4 only one will allow me to pick them up and that is Brooke. Lady, no. My babies I raised from 4 days, NO WAY. They will run all over me, hop on my shoulders, whatever, but they just don't want to be picked up. I don't think your baby is freaking out the entire time. Every single one of us has to build an individual relationship with our animals. It sounds to me like your baby likes it when you lay him on your chest. I put my arms around on the sides of Lady and stroke her while kissing her head and she loves it. When I stop she nodges me with her nose for more so I know it's not killing her. Every single one of our buns are different and have different likes and hates. It sounds to me like your bun likes that and if your bunny was freaking out the entire time, trust me you would have an arm full of scratches and bite marks.
Good luck and hope to see future postings with pics of your baby!
Vanessa
HE HE HE
No, actually it's the prey/fight or flight thing. Out of my 4 only one will allow me to pick them up and that is Brooke. Lady, no. My babies I raised from 4 days, NO WAY. They will run all over me, hop on my shoulders, whatever, but they just don't want to be picked up. I don't think your baby is freaking out the entire time. Every single one of us has to build an individual relationship with our animals. It sounds to me like your baby likes it when you lay him on your chest. I put my arms around on the sides of Lady and stroke her while kissing her head and she loves it. When I stop she nodges me with her nose for more so I know it's not killing her. Every single one of our buns are different and have different likes and hates. It sounds to me like your bun likes that and if your bunny was freaking out the entire time, trust me you would have an arm full of scratches and bite marks.
Good luck and hope to see future postings with pics of your baby!
Vanessa
pani
Bunny servant Lotte
I love my bunnies and they're affectionate towards me - they'll run towards me, climb on me, Clementine grooms me, etc. In spite of this, they absolutely hate being picked up. I don't expect that will ever really change.
I don't expect that will ever really change.
Country-Girl
Well-Known Member
Some rabbits do. I had a Flemish giant that didn't mind. He let me hold him all the time. Never squirmed or anything just relaxed and closed his eyes. But he was ONE OF A KIND. FULL of personality and everything. He was trained to use the doggy door to go potty whenever.
My first rabbit, my darling Bandit, actually used to ask to be picked up but she's a rare case! I can't actually remember how Sealy was, but my rabbits since have not been fans of being picked up. My current boy Mattie... it depends what mood he's in.
Most can be trained to tolerate being picked up and held but, I don't think any of them like it.
We look and sometimes act like predators form a rabbit's point of view. As with any prey animal, we have close set eyes that face forward, we tend to approach them head on rather than from the side as another prey animal would do and, we grab them and lift them off the ground as a predator would do before eating them. If you were the rabbit, you'd need the human to be very patient and move slowly to convince you that it was safe to be picked up by a predator, and that the human was a safe predator and didn't want to eat you.
We look and sometimes act like predators form a rabbit's point of view. As with any prey animal, we have close set eyes that face forward, we tend to approach them head on rather than from the side as another prey animal would do and, we grab them and lift them off the ground as a predator would do before eating them. If you were the rabbit, you'd need the human to be very patient and move slowly to convince you that it was safe to be picked up by a predator, and that the human was a safe predator and didn't want to eat you.
BaileyBoy
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My bunny, Bailey tolerates being picked up - he's quite tame. He doesn't enjoy it. The only time he's been glad to be carried was when I took him on a walk with his cute little harness, and he asked to be picked up because he was a bit scared! It's just in their instincts; it doesn't mean they don't love their family. Being off the ground and having something reach over them just triggers their wild instincts, I guess.
It's just in their instincts; it doesn't mean they don't love their family. Being off the ground and having something reach over them just triggers their wild instincts, I guess.NetherLover@17
Member
We had two rabbits that lived together and the boy would beg to be held and just lay back and let you hold him like a bayby. He loved it. My doe was a bit more independent but would still be fine with being held if only for short periods of time. I think it depends on how they're raised and whether they're held frequently or not. If you never hold the rabbit you cant expect it to like being held.
stitch&flopsy
Well-Known Member
My first rabbit wasn't scared when he was picked up, he would tolerate it for a bit but then would want to leave. Now only one of my two rabbits don't mind being picked up but he only likes being held like a baby
Over time mine are much better at being held and they seem to be comfortable with it but prefer to be on the ground. It's taken nearly two years to get to this stage. I usually let them do their own thing and they do visit me on the sofa and love to climb all over me if I am on the floor. Never rush them, let them choose what they do in their own time.
Most rabbits don't like being picked up, but there will always be a few exceptions to the rule. I have one bun that absolutely LOVES to be snuggled. She doesn't like the process of picking up, but once she's in my arms, she melts like butter I have another bun that will come sit by me when he wants to be picked up and snuggled, but any other time he hates me picking him up, but does tolerate it.
I think a few factors can play into it. Individual personality plays a big part, as well as how much a rabbit has been handled and socialized, and if you've trained them to associate good things with being picked up and/or held(eg. pets, play time, treats). But even then you can get rabbits that have been handled and socialized well, but still detest being picked up or held.
I have another bun that will come sit by me when he wants to be picked up and snuggled, but any other time he hates me picking him up, but does tolerate it.I think a few factors can play into it. Individual personality plays a big part, as well as how much a rabbit has been handled and socialized, and if you've trained them to associate good things with being picked up and/or held(eg. pets, play time, treats). But even then you can get rabbits that have been handled and socialized well, but still detest being picked up or held.
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juliemaye
Well-Known Member
I was curious about this, too!
Buster scatters about like a psycho when I try and pick him up, but he is getting much better. (That boy'll do anything for a yogurt drop, I tell ya.) The last few months, it's all about being calm, and swift. If I speak to him so he knows I am there, reach down above his head (so he doesn't really know my hand is coming, besides me saying "want pets?" trying to verbal train him). Then I pet him for a few minutes, then calmly drop my other hand in the cage and under the belly and up he goes. He's completely fine with that! But if I just reach in to pick him up out of no where, you'd swear someone just shot off a gun in the middle of time square! Terrible, terrible chaos from one little bun! I have learned not to grip around him once he's in my arms, but to simply put my arms under his stomach. He lays down when I do this, or else he puts his head up on my shoulder and nuzzles under my neck. He's such a loving gentleman, for such a psycho rabbit.
Chloe, on the other hand. She seems a lot more confident. (Continually blows my mind, since her description sounded a lot like my Jerusha - untouchable at the best of times...) I can reach in, pet her, and she nuzzles my hand. When I pick her up and do the same - cross my arms and let her lay in them, she just flops, her one leg on the back dangles down, and she chills.
It's so adorable! But yes, in the past I've had rabbits that in no way shape or form were willing to be hold longer than necessary, and even then was a struggle. It is interesting to hear about the prey/predator interaction, and develop an understanding as to why this is the way it is!
Buster scatters about like a psycho when I try and pick him up, but he is getting much better. (That boy'll do anything for a yogurt drop, I tell ya.) The last few months, it's all about being calm, and swift. If I speak to him so he knows I am there, reach down above his head (so he doesn't really know my hand is coming, besides me saying "want pets?" trying to verbal train him). Then I pet him for a few minutes, then calmly drop my other hand in the cage and under the belly and up he goes. He's completely fine with that! But if I just reach in to pick him up out of no where, you'd swear someone just shot off a gun in the middle of time square! Terrible, terrible chaos from one little bun! I have learned not to grip around him once he's in my arms, but to simply put my arms under his stomach. He lays down when I do this, or else he puts his head up on my shoulder and nuzzles under my neck. He's such a loving gentleman, for such a psycho rabbit.
Chloe, on the other hand. She seems a lot more confident. (Continually blows my mind, since her description sounded a lot like my Jerusha - untouchable at the best of times...) I can reach in, pet her, and she nuzzles my hand. When I pick her up and do the same - cross my arms and let her lay in them, she just flops, her one leg on the back dangles down, and she chills.
It's so adorable! But yes, in the past I've had rabbits that in no way shape or form were willing to be hold longer than necessary, and even then was a struggle. It is interesting to hear about the prey/predator interaction, and develop an understanding as to why this is the way it is!
ladysown
Well-Known Member
some rabbits have no issues with being picked up. Depends on their owner and the handling they receive.
Definitely depends on individual personality and how you've worked with your rabbit. When I first got Bandit, he hated being picked up, would scramble and scratch and try to get away and would often run away before I had a chance to pick him up. Now, pretty much every time I pick him up, he just sits there and lets me lift him up. However, once I'm holding him, whether he's on my lap or against my chest, he's very fidgety and just does not want to sit still. There's only been one time where we've actually had a proper cuddle and he smooshed in against me all bunny-melty like and started grinding his teeth in happiness. Bandit's just a squirmy little thing, he prefers to receive his pets when he's not being held/on my lap.
blwinteler
Well-Known Member
Mine don't like being picked up. They do like being held for a little bit once they realize they are safe, especially if being pet or combed. They also know they get Craisins if they let me hold them. I think that helps them to know I'm not going to eat them.
blwinteler
Well-Known Member
Oh, also, Bugsy has gotten really calm about being picked up. He just gets squirmy if I sit down with him.
Rabbits don't being picked up, I think everyone in their heart knows this. However that doesn't mean they don't like your company or being touched. I think embracing how your rabbit prefers to socialise can actually make your bunny closer to you - my mini lop Fidget is a lot calmer and affectionate these days after I adjusted the way I spend time with her. Rabbits are not dogs: firstly, they are prey animals so they may fear you. And despite living in communities, rabbits quite like their own space. So combining this, what I do with Fidget is make sure that touching me is always her choice. I spend time with her in a large run or on my veranda where she has space to run around and explore, some food to nibble on, places to hide if she's upset. I sit, usually reading a book for a few hours. I talk to her often so that she is able to notice my presence and emotion. she will come up to me, head bop me, lick me, sometimes even climb onto me and then go do her own thing. Sometimes we will share the couch while I watch tv, and she will thump when she needs the toilet - I didn't train her, she just figured out how to communicate her needs. It is actually more fulfilling than when I tried to force her to cuddle me.
Obviously, touching and holding them helps us as humans - it's how we show affection and petting animals can do wonders for stress levels, blood pressure and health. But there's more to it that that - your rabbit needs to tolerate being held so that you can groom them, clip their claws, check their teeth, eyes and weight. So making sure holding you bunny in away that makes them feel comfortable is still important. When you approach them, make sure it is at their eye level, and that they can sniff your hand or look at you before hand. Then pick them up, gently, and put them with their feet to your chest ( the manoeuvre you may have been taught, with one hand on butt and one of their chest is better for larger animals - ground dwelling rabbits much prefer the sensation of having their feet grounded). Take them to where you can sit, and let them sit on your lap. Put them in a trance by stroking continuously from nose to forehead. If you need to flip them over, make sure you have them on a soft but solid surface, and make sure you trance them again while they're on their back because they really don't like it. Then you can check or clip claws, teeth, and give them a general health check. I do this once a week with Fidget - she give a big foot stamp afterwards to tell me that she's not amused, but then I gives her a nose rub and she seemed to forget all about it.
Obviously, touching and holding them helps us as humans - it's how we show affection and petting animals can do wonders for stress levels, blood pressure and health. But there's more to it that that - your rabbit needs to tolerate being held so that you can groom them, clip their claws, check their teeth, eyes and weight. So making sure holding you bunny in away that makes them feel comfortable is still important. When you approach them, make sure it is at their eye level, and that they can sniff your hand or look at you before hand. Then pick them up, gently, and put them with their feet to your chest ( the manoeuvre you may have been taught, with one hand on butt and one of their chest is better for larger animals - ground dwelling rabbits much prefer the sensation of having their feet grounded). Take them to where you can sit, and let them sit on your lap. Put them in a trance by stroking continuously from nose to forehead. If you need to flip them over, make sure you have them on a soft but solid surface, and make sure you trance them again while they're on their back because they really don't like it. Then you can check or clip claws, teeth, and give them a general health check. I do this once a week with Fidget - she give a big foot stamp afterwards to tell me that she's not amused, but then I gives her a nose rub and she seemed to forget all about it.
