Hi there!
I recently bought a four month old Holland lop who is very sweet and curious, but who HATES being picked up or held. I know that many rabbits don't like to be picked up because of prey instinct, but I am so used to my mini Rex (who passed last year at 9 years old) who he didn't mind one bit being picked up, handled, and carried around (he was just a very snuggly bun,) so I am unsure as to how to proceed with our new baby. The breeder I bought him from told me that all of the babies had been handled regularly.
When I try to pick him up (always seated on the floor,) he kicks and squirms wanting to escape. If I do finally get him to a point where I have him secure and he's still, his heart rate is up and he breathes really fast so I know he's nervous. I don't worry about picking him up when he's in his run pen or cage, as he is very good about just making his way where he needs to be, but I have his first vet visit scheduled for early May. My main concern is the stress that can come with a vet visit, especially for a rabbit who is not a fan of being held.
I have been working with him daily, getting down on his level (he comes right up to me), petting him gently and letting him hop away when he's had enough, and trying to get him used to having his ears and sides touched.
I just wonder if anyone has additional tips to ease him into the process of being picked up and examined.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
I recently bought a four month old Holland lop who is very sweet and curious, but who HATES being picked up or held. I know that many rabbits don't like to be picked up because of prey instinct, but I am so used to my mini Rex (who passed last year at 9 years old) who he didn't mind one bit being picked up, handled, and carried around (he was just a very snuggly bun,) so I am unsure as to how to proceed with our new baby. The breeder I bought him from told me that all of the babies had been handled regularly.
When I try to pick him up (always seated on the floor,) he kicks and squirms wanting to escape. If I do finally get him to a point where I have him secure and he's still, his heart rate is up and he breathes really fast so I know he's nervous. I don't worry about picking him up when he's in his run pen or cage, as he is very good about just making his way where he needs to be, but I have his first vet visit scheduled for early May. My main concern is the stress that can come with a vet visit, especially for a rabbit who is not a fan of being held.
I have been working with him daily, getting down on his level (he comes right up to me), petting him gently and letting him hop away when he's had enough, and trying to get him used to having his ears and sides touched.
I just wonder if anyone has additional tips to ease him into the process of being picked up and examined.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
