Why does my bunny not like being held?

Question

I've had him for two years, I bought him when he was 8 weeks old. He pretty much trusts me, I guess. He doesn't run away from me or anything, and he trusts me enough to eat from my hand. He never licks me though, so I think he doesn't like me very much. He won't ever let anyone pick him up. Why??

How do I get him to trust me holding him? This is my second bunny. My previous one loved being held.

Oh, and that one person to answer, I do have a lop.

Answer 1

Bunnies who lick people do so only because they don't get enough salt in their diet ... I'll bet you are a GOOD bunny owner and give your bunny a proper salt lick. As for wanting to 'pick up' your bunny, that takes skill and practice. I'll tell you HOW to do it, but I want you to 'practice' with a stuffed animal or a bag of 'grain' (rice will do) before you try picking your bunny up. IF you do it correctly, your bunny will want to be picked up ... if you don't, you'll have to settle for just petting your bunny and letting him eat from your hand.
To PROPERLY pick up a bunny, first grasp him firmly (use your thumb and forefinger) at the nape of his neck and 'lift' gently until his front feet are off the ground. Then very carefully 'scoop' the back legs into your other hand and lift the bunny to your chest. ALWAYS keep your hand where his back feet are ... don't let them 'dangle' because that is very FRIGHTENING to a bunny. Once he's at your chest, you may let go of his neck (you should have ONLY fur and skin, not 'bone' in your fingers) and 'cuddle' him with that arm/hand. It may sound very complicated, but the BIGGEST THING is to get him with his front feet off the ground so he can't 'run' and then give his back feet (his WEAPONS as well as how he runs) something 'solid' to stand on so he feels SAFE. If you can, try to keep all four of his feet 'safe' on one of your body parts ... and DO NOT BE AFRAID of those hind feet. If you pick the bunny up the way I'm telling you to, it won't want to 'kick' and even if it does, it will be too close to you to do any harm or even to hurt you.
Now, once you have got the bunny in your arms, have a 'treat' to give him ... and if you do that every time you pick him up for two weeks, your bunny will WANT to be picked up to get his 'special treat' as long as you DO NOT give him that particular treat EXCEPT after you have picked him up.
Have fun ... and give your bunny a special 'petting' from me ...

Answer 2

Remember rabbits are prey animals. In the wild, when they're lifted off their feet it's usually because they're being killed! So it's not in their natural instinct to be comfortable off their feet. You might just have to accept that your bunny doesn't like cuddles - many don't. Just be glad you haven't got one of the ones that bites like crazy!

And by they way, licking is NOT sign of affection! You're thinking of cats and dogs, and even then, licking is not necessarily a sign of affection from them either. So don't assume your bunny doesn't like you because he doesn't lick you - bunnies aren't really licky creatures you know!

You could try CAREFULLY tipping your bunny on his back and holding him like a baby - for some reason, many respond to this, they kind of at like they've been hypnotised. But mostly, I think you should remember that a rabbit is a prey animal, not a cuddly toy, and they don't respond to things the way a cat or a dog or a human would.

Chalice

Answer 3

I had a rabbit that was like that......only mine was just psycho!
Anyways, i think that your bunny is like that because either you don't pick him up as often as you should- so he is not used to being held, and it also depends on how you hold him. Most rabbits don't like being held, but if you really want to get him used to being held, then pick him up at least twice a day, and if you want him to trust you, then you have to hold him a certain way. Put your rabbit's front side against you, and put one hand beneath him to support him, and your other hand on his back, and softly pet him. This will calm your rabbit down, and this way of holding your rabbit is very safe and rabbits feel very secure when you hold them close to you. Good luck! =)

Answer 4

This is good that your bunny trusts you. A lot of bunny owners bunnies don't trust their owner. But this is a pretty common thing for bunnies. WHen I was 5-8 my bunny would never let me hold him. I don't know exactly wjy but I am guessing most bunnies don't like to be held for their protection.

Answer 5

My first rabbit was TERRIBLE! She wouldn't let me touch her, she always ran away from me too. We gave her away, but some rabbits are just like that. Here's a tip: Lops are usually more calm than rabbits with straight ears.

I now have a lovable holland lop. Cutest thing ever!

Answer 6

Let's say I grabbed you by the ears/arms/ belly wouldn't you feel crushed with the weight of your body hanging off the floor. Let's say mom licked you everytime she wanted to show you love. Could it be possible that you might still love her but just the way she shows it bothers you?

Answer 7

I got a guinea pig, those kind of small animals are the prey of pretty much everything. They are scared of everything. My guinea pig still runs and hides when the lights come on. Your rabbit is probaly just reacting to instincs. Run and hide.

Answer 8

Happened to me too!It's just becuz all animals know someone's going to hurt them sooner or l8r.It's probably cuz ur bunny's not trained,or,it's not used to being held since it was born.But it's never too late to show him that it doesnt hurt to be held.

Answer 9

rabbits are ground animals. My rabbit is the friendliest thing ever but hates being held..not all bunnies enjoy being held

Answer 10

Some animals just don't like being held.