2006-07-11 15:38:33 · 13 answers · asked by blueberrybear12 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I've been raising and showing rabbits for over 24 years and have also competed and won several rabbit showmanship competitions. Here is the correct way to hold a rabbit:
Place one hand under the rabbit's chest (whichever is most comfortable for you) and place the other hand on the rabbit's rump. Pick the rabbit up with both hands. The chest will be higher than the rump when you pick it up so that your second hand supports the weight of the rump. Bring the rabbit's head up to the armpit of the arm which is holding the rabbit's rump and place the rabbit's head in your armpit to cover its eyes. You're kind of tucking the rabbit like a football into your arm. You want to cover the eyes with your armpit so the rabbit feels like it has a place to hide. You also want to make sure you balance the rabbit well in your hands when you pick it up. If you aren't balancing the rabbit well, it will start kicking to try gaining balance, which can end up in you getting scratched. Until you get good at it, I recommend wearing an old long-sleaved coat or you can pull cut out socks over your arms to prevent scratching. When putting the rabbit back in it's cage. Put it in rear end first so it can't see the cage and what's coming so that it won't try jumping out of your arms to it.
Don't hold the rabbit like a baby. It is a good way to get scratches all up and down your stomach. Rabbit legs are very powerful and can leave large scratches if you aren't careful. Some rabbits can be held like a baby if they trained well and calm, but you still run the risk of getting scratched pretty well if the rabbit gets scared.
If the rabbit tries biting your side while holding it. Press your arm firmly against the rabbit's head while it's head is in your armpit. This keeps the rabbit from being able to turn its head and thus bite you. I prefer to keep my arm loosely against the rabbit's head for the rabbit's comfort, but if the rabbit starts to bite you need to hold it firm.
Petting the rabbit on the forehead between the eyes will also help calm the rabbit while you are holding it.
It is not proper to pick the rabbit up by the scruff of the neck. Picking a rabbit up by the scruff of the neck won't hurt the rabbit but it will stretch the pelt, which is not good for showing the rabbit. For some of the largest breeds of rabbits it is somewhat necessary at times to pick them up by the scruff of the neck for better control instead of placing the one hand under the chest. The other hand is still placed on the rump when picking them up in this fashion.
2006-07-12 00:08:49 · answer #1 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Improper handling may cause serious, life-threatening injuries.
Fractures and dislocations of the back, most often resulting in
paralysis of both rear legs, are the most common injuries. These
injuries also occur when rabbits are suddenly frightened and
attempt to escape from a small enclosure.
A rabbit's spine is relatively lightweight and fragile. When a
rabbit becomes frightened, it violently struggles by powerfully
kicking its back legs. The lightning-fast movements of the rear
legs cause over-extension of the lumbosacral (lower back) region
of the spine, which frequently results in fractures or
dislocations.
One should never try to overpower a struggling rabbit.
If a rabbit violently resists physical restraint, it should be
immediately released and approached later when it has
calmed down.
A soft-spoken, relaxed approach with rabbits works well.
Covering the eyes and lightly stroking a rabbit will usually result
in a hypnotic-like trance that often renders them less prone to
panic and injury.
Rabbits should never be picked up by their ears. If you are
concerned about being scratched by the claws, place a towel over
the rabbit's back and wrap it around the body to restrain all 4
feet before picking up the rabbit. An alternative method of
picking up a rabbit involves sliding one hand under its breast
bone and grasping both front legs between the fingers of this
hand. The other hand is then gently worked under the rear
quarters to fully support them as the rabbit is lifted upwards,
in the same manner as cats are held and supported.
2006-07-13 14:35:23 · answer #2 · answered by ♥♥ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should always remember to be gentle, use both hands - one should hold the rabbit around the 'scruff' of it's neck (the 'scruff' is the bit of neck behind the ears, it has lots of spare skin there.) The other hand should support the rabbits bottom. You should scoop up the rabbit and hold it firmly, close to your chest. If the rabbit struggles you should put it down as rabbits have very strong back legs and could hurt you or themselves. You should talk quietly to your rabbit while you are holding it.
NEVER HOLD YOUR BUNNY BY THE EARS - IT HURTS !!!
2006-07-11 15:45:25 · answer #3 · answered by pro_and_contra 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like a football in front of you, but up close to your body. Make sure to support all four feet in this cradled position because bunnies don't like the feeling of being off the ground. (Don't hold them up side down like a cat or puppy they like to be up right)
2006-07-11 15:44:06 · answer #4 · answered by micki_g 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I havent ever held 1 b4
2006-07-11 15:42:53 · answer #5 · answered by louisvilleboi06 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like a baby bird.
2006-07-11 15:41:50 · answer #6 · answered by Desert Queen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
best place the bunny will like will be between your legs or boobs
2006-07-11 15:42:48 · answer #7 · answered by jackal_raj 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
By the ears (just kidding)
2006-07-11 15:42:23 · answer #8 · answered by e_chiappone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cradle it in your arms, i'd imagine that'd be the safest way
2006-07-11 15:42:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yeah.
put both thumbs under it w/ ur fingers on top
pick it up and lay on ur chest with ur one hand unders its butt and the other on its back
2006-07-11 15:43:15 · answer #10 · answered by BuSh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋