Hello. Every time I try to pick my rabbit up, it starts to make a rough "squeaking" noise... any idea what this may be about?
Thanks yall in advance!
xxoo
2007-12-04 10:21:30 · 5 answers · asked by ♥Saerah Ashlie♥ 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Rabbits normally squeal when they are in pain or when they are really scared.
If you allow a rabbit to run loose and then try to pick it up, it will most likely squeal even though you aren't hurting it because it is really scared.
If it is doing that when you are trying to pick it up out of the cage, then there is a way you could help avoiding the rabbit sqealing. Before picking the rabbit up out of the cage, pet it on the forehead between the eyes. This will help calm it down. Once it has calmed a little bit, place one hand under its chest and the other hand on its butt. Lift the rabbit out of the cage and up to you, then put the rabbit's head in armpit of your arm that has the hand supporting the rabbit's butt. This gives the rabbit a place to feel like it can hide once you are holding it. By picking it up underneath the chest it also avoids picking the rabbit up by the hide at the back of the neck. Picking a rabbit up by the hide at the back of the neck usually doesn't hurt the rabbit as long as the rabbit's hide isn't too tight or tense. Sometimes picking a rabbit up by the back of the neck hide can hurt the rabbit a little and cause the rabbit to squeal. It also can stretch the hide, which is not good for showing. Picking up underneath the chest avoids those possible pitfalls. As long as the rabbit feels balanced it normally won't squirm while you pick it up.
One other thing you'll want to watch for is for any respiratory problems. Rabbits sometimes make a little squeaking noise if they have snot in their nose. So check to see if your rabbit exhibits any signs of a cold or is sneezing any. Also listen for any rattling sounds coming from the rabbit's chest cavity. If you see any these signs take your rabbit to the vet for a check-up.
2007-12-05 01:33:00 · answer #1 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That sounds like the rabbit "objecting" to being picked up. Perhaps you are picking it up in a manner that it does not find comfortable. It could also be that the rabbit is too excited, especially if you have to chase it around to pick it up. Mine would occasionally make what sounds to be the same noise after I would play fetch with it and was extremely excited. Try picking it up in a different manner or more gently, or perhaps instead of instantly picking it up, try petting it gently and quietly for a few minutes, then pick it up.
2007-12-04 19:36:10 · answer #2 · answered by Taylor 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is your rabbit male or female?
Squeaking in rabbits can be a sign of a problem with nasal passage tissue or congestion. This can be affected by the position you are holding the rabbit in.
Sometimes a female ready to mate will make those sounds too. Is your rabbit spayed? If not, please remember that 80% of unspayed female rabbits die from uterine cancer (I lost my first bunny to this when she was 5)
ADD ON: when a rabbit is 'objecting' to handling - they will grunt, not squeak. However, a sign of anxiousness or fear is a high pitched squeaking.
2007-12-04 18:43:58 · answer #3 · answered by BeX 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
my rabbit does this too. it sounds like she is really mad. most of the time she is. my friends rabbit does this too, but no one is holding her when she does. i think it is a normal noise, or an annoyed noise.
2007-12-04 18:41:40 · answer #4 · answered by hello 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is most likly just a defensive noise he is making bc you are picking him up. Give him a few days and if it persists i might call a vet.
2007-12-04 18:29:54 · answer #5 · answered by SweetMandy01234 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋