The pet store I bought my rabbit at told me that I should hold my rabbit by the ears.
2006-07-31 08:30:54 · 20 answers · asked by Michele 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Never, never, never, by the ears. You should lift your bunny by supporting it's bottom and using your other hand to support under it's chest. Once you have it lifted it is best to let your bunny's front end rest on you (think of holding a baby to burp it!) and let it 'sit' on your arm. This leaves you with a hand free to stroke it. Rabbits ears are very sensitive, if you pick it up by it's ears it will soon resent you and won't want to be a friendly pet. I suggest you go back to the pet shop and ask if they have a good book about keeping rabbits. If they have you should suggest they read it before giving out stupid advice and buy a copy for yourself. Have fun with your bunny and look after it well.
2006-07-31 09:59:35 · answer #1 · answered by CC...x 5 · 7⤊ 0⤋
"There are many acceptable handling techniques, but the golden rules are that the rabbit must not be dangled or held by the ears or scruff of the neck, and a hand or forearm should be placed steadily under the rabbit's bottom to hold the weight of the rabbit. The rabbit should also be able to place each of its feet onto a part of us as it is carried."
The pet store doesn't sound very reputable to me at all. Holding your rabbit like that can injure it. You wouldn't want to be picked up by your ears either now would you?
2006-07-31 18:35:32 · answer #2 · answered by All is On 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't go back to that store for advice!! Hold the rabbit with one hand around it's stomach, with the animal's back against you, and the other hand palm pushing the back feet against the animal's body. This way the bunny feels secure, is not in pain and it can't kick and scratch you with it's surprisingly strong feet and sharp claws. I've had two rabbits as household pet, one for nine years, believe me, this is the best and safest method for both rabbit and owner.
2006-07-31 15:43:03 · answer #3 · answered by Lynn K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
never hold a rabbit by the ears, it could injure it. Always use to hands & hold the stomach & the butt! Hope this helps
2006-07-31 15:33:58 · answer #4 · answered by sftballgrl48328 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can always tell by the way a mother holds its young.
A mother rabbit would NEVER hold its young by the ears.
2006-07-31 15:33:25 · answer #5 · answered by garyedwardjohnston 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like practically everyone said, not by the ears, and you need to support all the legs. How would you like it if your mom picked you up by the ears?!?! The pet store people should have had a little more training...
2006-07-31 15:37:36 · answer #6 · answered by answers 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
never hold them by the ears. do you like being dragged around by the ears? you could damage them. and rabbits don't have a scruff like cats and dogs....there's not enough skin left over. pick it up gently and hold it like against your chest, but not on it's back, they don't like their bellies to be exposed that way.
2006-07-31 15:47:33 · answer #7 · answered by i_left_my_mind_with_the_baby 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've found that most bunnies are the happiest when all four legs are being supported. My rabbit would literally freak out if I wasn't holding her securely.
2006-07-31 15:33:55 · answer #8 · answered by sara_busa 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NOT BY THE EARS. One hand holding feet under the rear and the other hand holding front feet
2006-07-31 15:32:50 · answer #9 · answered by weebles 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should hold it by gripping both back legs together with one hand and holding the back of the neck (like you would a cat ) with the other hand.
2006-07-31 15:39:27 · answer #10 · answered by Eva A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋