Rabbits can resist being lifted and carried in a number of ways. Sudden sounds or movements may startle a rabbit and cause it to kick.   If your rabbit appears to kick as they hop away from you they are trying to kick up dirt to show they are upset. (R - Golden Strike) Golden Rabbit strikes the target with immense power and extremely fast speed. It’s better to grasp the loose skin over the shoulders and scoop the rabbit up under the chest. This may happen the first few times you try to pick them up. If you ever feel that you can’t get your rabbits nails clipped on your own, or you’re afraid you’ll clip the quick, there is also the option to bring your rabbit to the vet to clip your rabbit’s nails for you. Do not pick the rabbit up by the scruff alone, but use this as a handle to prevent forward motion while you use your other hand arm to tuck the hind legs under the bunny and scrunch the bunny in a gentle “bunny ball.” Your free hand that is not holding the scruff should be placed on the bunny’s rump. Hold your rabbit tightly, so they feel secure, but gently. Any suggestions? Rabbits who aren't used to being picked up can bite, scratch or even kick their owners. Squat. Deals 8.5 damage per hit. Some buns on bunspace are said to hate being held and are next to never even picked up. They feel much safer on ground level where they can run and hide if they need to. If you adopted or bought an older rabbit, trying to get them to acclimate to being held will be much more difficult. It’s one of the most difficult parts of grooming a rabbit. (T - Golden Overwrite) Golden Rabbit stretches their arm back and prepares to strike the target with incredible power. Owners should also use a calm, soothing voice. halves dangling and begin to kick in fear. Close • Posted by 47 minutes ago. It may try to "reverse" out of your arms so always keep one hand under its bottom. rabbit.org has good advice on picking up a rabbit, it can help when your rabbit is in an emergency. Put your hand in between the rabbit's back feet and front feet. I had a rabbit hop and kick so hard she stretched the ligaments in her leg. Should they become captured, rabbits will also bite and can deliver a powerful kick. In the wild, rabbits are prey animals and so are naturally cautious. First, hold your rabbit in a way such that one hand should be beneath them. Toys- One of the best ways to keep your rabbit entertained is to provide toys for them to play with. Rabbits are not ideal pets for all people-- especially small children. Catnip related catastrophes and other shenanigans is what HoldMyCatnip is all … When threatened, a cat may roll onto her back to show her opponent that she doesn't want to do battle but if the fight continues, she will engage all of her deadly weapons which include not just her teeth but the claws on all four feet. Rabbits don’t like being controlled; they are more like being aggressive if you do it. A rigid and restricted kick or a fall from a height can cause grave injury. Either way, you should always have one hand firmly supporting its hind legs, and another firmly grasping its chest (or back, if you are holding it chest-to-chest). If your pet rabbit is resistant to being held, don't pick him up. Rabbits use poops for territory marking If your rabbit finds her own poops in the litter box after you mom cleans it, she will be less likely to feel like there is a territory dispute. #6: The first hand you used for scooping should now be supporting the gentle back bones of your bunny. To get to the root of the problem, first you need to rule out heath issues and hormones, which can make a happy rabbit into a grumpy aggressive one. Wear a long-sleeved shirt to minimize scratches. How to hold the unholdable rabbit. Your rabbit’s backbone is fragile and can fracture very easily if the rabbit gives a strong kick, so it is always important to support the hind end. Place the clippers on the nail where the cut is to be made. Zig-zagging is their primary mode of evasion. Chinning is a rabbit’s way of saying, “Mine!” They rub their chin, which has special scent glands, on objects to mark their territory. The first few times may not be great for the rabbit. Hold him snugly braced against your body. Handling him is going well, except when I put him back in his cage. Kick and Stomp for Concealed Rabbits. Handling a rabbit daily will help it become comfortable with being held and touched by humans. Rabbits require regular and devoted care, and too many rabbits spend their lives locked up in dirty cages after their young owner becomes tired of his birthday present. When you get down with a nail, rub/scratch your rabbit's head or his/her favorite petting spot, or reward him/her with a tiny treat. Gently use the loose skin behind the rabbit’s neck to hold onto its scruff. Don't squish his or her guts out! They aren't very durable pets. close topic reply to this topic. Rabbits can be aggressive towards people for several reasons, and there maybe more than one factor at work. If your rabbit struggles or kicks out it may damage its spine so it is important to always hold it securely and confidently so that it doesn't sense your nervousness and take advantage. They will often kick and struggle as you patiently try to keep them calm and get their nails trimmed. Jan 17, 2009 #2 animalgirl2010 Songster. 2. Rabbits usually give up when the damage their legs. It has been near zero temps that last couple nights and we had put straw in his pen to help keep him warm. Wrapping the bunny in a towel will help keep them calm and restrained. Step into the thicket, shotgun at the ready, and stomp around the bushes while altering your pace. #7: Rabbits have a propensity to kick when they feel threatened. Pet him gently until he is ready for you hold him. Never pick a bunny up by the ears because it’s painful for them and simply not necessary. See the link to nail trim information below for help on where to cut. When it comes to encroaching predators, this gives them an edge. He does this with the shavings too. If you pick up a scared, rabbit, he may kick so hard that he knocks his spine out of alignment. Keep the rabbit calm. It is important to hold your rabbit securely at all times controlling the forelimbs, the rump and the hindlimbs. How to probably pick up my rabbit if he kicks. 1.8k votes, 37 comments. The following is the best method that should be employed when you think about how to pick up a rabbit. I got a great video from somebody on her that help out a ton and im working on our trust right now. be careful when you rest his hind legs on your body, some rabbits will kick powerfully to get out. and when you do have to lift him you must support their butt becuase that is where most of their body weight is. Don’t force your rabbit too much. #5: Moving quickly now, use your second hand to hold the back legs of the rabbit. To prevent this keep these two key factors in mind. A rabbit that feels safe in your arms will not scratch or bite or struggle to get away. However, the final transfer to his cage generally earns me some scratches on my chest. A panicked bunny can easily hurt itself or you. 11 Years. Get your helper to hold the rabbit gently but firmly. In a wild setting, this translates to kicking dirt into another animal’s face. Hold the rabbit facing you with all four feet against your chest. They also keep their head aloft and ears out like antennae to stay alert to movement. He kicked it all out. They have powerful hind legs and if they are displeased they may kick to try to get away or indicate they want to be put down if they are being held. The great thing is, they are not expensive and sometimes free. I know there are some homesteaders who don’t feel as though one should take any steps because they want to breed out any rabbits that cannot tolerate heat. Displeased rabbits may deliberately kick their feet up as they hop away from you. Our rabbit refuses to let us keep any kind of bedding in his pen. Some may think this means rabbits don't do anything all day and don't express their emotions, but this is not the case. By creating a staccato of movement, you preempt a rabbit’s expectation of where you’re going to go next. 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