ok well i have to rabbits and i don't know where is the proper place to pick them up from. some people have told me to pick them up by their ears but it just looks too painful to me. normally i just pick them up but i have to grab them by the ears when i let them go in my yard to catch them again. is grabbing them by the ears painful. and if that is not the right spot than what is?
2006-07-10 14:45:42 · 14 answers · asked by robot_17 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
thanks for telling me this. i knew that it looked painful and i try never to do it. the only problem is that they are still baby rabbits and are not used to being picked up so when i let them roam it is hard to catch them and this is the only time that sometimes i have to pull them by the ears. does anyone know a good way to catch a rabbit other than by its ears. i know how to pick it up and hold it
2006-07-10 14:57:58 · update #1
NEVER pick them up by the ears!
Here is a link to how to pick up and hold your bunny
http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/care/handling.asp
2006-07-10 14:49:27 · answer #1 · answered by booktender 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best way to pick them up in the yard is by using a fishing dip net. It's much quicker than trying to do it with your hands. Never pick a rabbit up by the ears, it can detach the ears from the base of the head (doesn't mean the ear will pull off, just means you could damage the ears) and it is also very painful for them. You can pick a rabbit up by the scruff of the neck and it won't hurt them, but the recommended way to pick them up is to put one hand under the rabbit's chest and the other hand on the rabbit's rump. Then pick the rabbit up with both hands and stick its head into the armpit of whichever hand is holding the rump of the rabbit. Placing the head in your armpit gives the rabbit a place to hide while you are holding it, making it squirm less. For show rabbits, we don't pick them up by the scruff of the neck because it can stretch the pelt, except in the case of large breed rabbits (ie: French Lops, Flemish Giants, Checkered Giants, Giant Chinchillas, etc) where picking them up by the scruff of the neck is somewhat necessary to handle them better.
2006-07-11 00:36:45 · answer #2 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rabbits should not be picked up by the ears, contrary to popular belief. The safest method is to hold them by the loose skin on the back of the neck and then support the hind legs by holding them. Be careful not to get a nasty scratch from the hind feet. A rabbit can actually kick powerfully enough with the hind legs to snap it's spine. This is especially true of larger breeds.
2006-07-10 14:54:43 · answer #3 · answered by short kitty 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't catch them by the ears, ever! If they are running away, you can put your hand on their midsection so your fingers catch on their hips. Do NOT apply any pressure on them or pick them up this way, but you can use this method to stop them, then use your free hand to scoop them up under the chest. The best way to catch them in the yard is with a fishing net, works great!
2006-07-10 18:12:14 · answer #4 · answered by BB 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm glad I'm not your rabbit. There's a place right above the shoulder blades behind the neck where you can get a good hand full of hide - not just fur, but extra loose like skin. Pick them up there then immediately place your free hand under their hind legs to support them. They won't mind this at all and they won't squirm out of your hands.
2006-07-10 14:51:05 · answer #5 · answered by Yogi! 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not grab them by the ears. The link below describes proper rabbit handling techniques.
2006-07-10 14:52:33 · answer #6 · answered by just♪wondering 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please don't pick it up by its ears. The proper way to pick up a rabbit is one hand under the rear end and the other cradling it to your chest. Since your rabbits are young you can start clicker training them and they will pick it up faster than older rabbits. On this clicker bunny website you have to check out the video of "Go Home".
2006-07-11 01:04:09 · answer #7 · answered by sugarcarat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The way I pick my rabbit up is by wrapping my hands around its stomach and pick it up like a little kitten. But other than that, go for the neck.
2006-07-10 14:51:00 · answer #8 · answered by band_geek_til_2007 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grab them by the scruff of the neck right behind the ears then place your hand on their back near the tail. Push the tail forward while pulling back on the fur behind the ears and kind of scoop it up.
2006-07-10 14:50:36 · answer #9 · answered by nighthawk_842003 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grabbing them by the ears is painful for them... the right spot is the NECK.
2006-07-10 14:48:35 · answer #10 · answered by Erica B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋