Safe Ways to Carry Rabbits

Rabbits may look soft and cuddly, but they cannot be handled like a stuffed animal. They are actually quite fragile, with delicate bones under heavy muscles and an easily injured spine. Being animals which in the wild are prey, they do not particularly like to be picked up and especially not to be seized. If you want to keep a rabbit, you must learn how to handle it gently in a way that will not hurt or alarm it.

  1. Do Not

    • Do not grab your rabbit around the ribs, or pick it up by the scruff of the neck. That may work with cats and puppies, but doing so with a rabbit risks injury to its spine. If you leave its heavy, powerful back feet unsupported it may begin to kick, which may hurt it and could, incidentally, hurt you as well, since it has claws on its back feet. Do not ever pick up or restrain a rabbit by its ears.

    Do

    • Remember that rabbits feel very insecure when they don't have their feet on the ground. Even a usually gentle pet may kick, scratch or even nip at you when it feels threatened by being picked up. For this reason, only pick your rabbit up when you must. Sit on the floor to pet normally. If you need to take your rabbit out of its cage, turn it around and gently bring it out tail-first with one hand around its chest.

    Lifting

    • Before you try to lift your rabbit, pet it to help it feel secure. When you are ready to try lifting it, bend as close as you possibly can. Put one hand on its head and the other arm along its side, slipping your second hand under its chest. If it does not struggle, move the hand from its head down to under its hindquarters, and lift it carefully, one arm and hand supporting its torso and the other hand supporting its back feet.

    Hold On Tight

    • Whatever you do, do not let your rabbit jump out of your arms all the way the floor. An alarmed rabbit may try to do this, but it could end up hurting itself in the process. If your rabbit starts to struggle, hug it to your chest and hold it firmly until you can get it safely on the ground. Initially, only hold your rabbit for a short time then put it down and give it a treat.