How To Pick Up a Pet Rabbit

Rabbits are mammals that are use to hopping across yards. They don't like the feeling of being picked up by humans. When you bring your rabbit home, you will need to be patient with it. You will also want to begin picking it up on a regular basis until the rabbit is domesticated and enjoys your company.

Things You'll Need

  • Hand soap
  • Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash your hands with hand soap and water before you pick up your rabbit.

    • 2

      Start on the floor. Your rabbit is used to being low to the ground. To get your rabbit used to being held, you want to be as low to the ground as possible.

    • 3

      Reach in the rabbit's cage and turn your rabbit so that its behind is facing you. Place one hand under the rabbit's belly and place the other hand on the rabbit's hind legs. Slowly pick up the rabbit and bring it out of the cage.

    • 4

      Place the rabbit against your chest and rest its feet on your arm. Make sure the rabbit is laying across you and not up and down. Slowly stroke the rabbit so that it gets use to touch.

    • 5

      Rub your rabbits cheeks for about five minutes each day the first week. The second week increase to seven minutes a day. Continue increasing the time you hold your rabbit until it is completely comfortable with you.

    • 6

      Put your rabbit back in its cage the same way you took it out. The rabbit's head should be facing away from you and should go in the cage first. Keeping the rabbit from looking at you when it goes in and out of the cage will keep it from getting afraid of you.

    • 7

      Wash your hands with hand soap and water after handling the rabbit.