Handling Rabbits

Rabbits are prey animals and are nervous in nature. In order to protect themselves, they are territorial and do not trust easily. Most rabbits will perceive humans as a predator and will resist being ‘captured’. Especially so if you adopted a neglected or abused rabbit that may not be well handled from young. Mishandling can lead to physical injuries such as limb fractures or even spinal damage.

Rabbits are fragile animals to be handled by adults only. A calm and gentle child may be allowed to handle a rabbit under close supervision of an adult. Here’s are some tips to ensure safe handling: 

  1. Rabbits have ‘blind spots’ in the front and the back of their heads. Approach from the sides (monocular) or further front (binocular) so they do not get startled.
  2. Rabbits can hear very well due to their big ears so maintaining a quiet environment is important to keep them calm.
  3. Interact with a rabbit close to the ground and let them gain comfort being near you before you attempt to touch them.
  4. If your rabbit approaches you, use a treat to positively reinforce the behaviour. Repeat and gradually touch his head and his body. Your rabbit will eventually accept your attention.
  5. Start picking up a rabbit when you are close to the ground level to prevent them from dropping from heights. Once they are off the ground, clasp their hind legs firmly and hold them against your body. If the rabbit is nervous, gently cover their eyes without blocking their nostrils.

Start picking up a rabbit when you are close to the ground level to prevent them from dropping from heights.

Once they are off the ground, clasp their hind legs firmly and hold them against your body.

If the rabbit is nervous, you can gently tuck the rabbit’s face under your arms without blocking their nostrils.

If the rabbit is very difficult to carry but you need to feed medication etc., you can ‘burrito’ him using a towel or tshirt.

NEVER pick up a rabbit by their scruff or ears. With poor bottoms support, the rabbit may kick and result in detrimental injuries to the limbs and spine. 

Massage: A great way to get our rabbit accustomed to handling is through a good massage. It’s not only soothing for a nervous rabbit but also a great opportunity to inspect your rabbit’s body. We recommend starting from the tip of the nose, down the spine and to the tail, follow by a side to side massage starting from the eyes to the cheeks, jaw and the sides of the body. Be sure to avoid sensitive spots such as the tummy and the feet!

 

   

Trancing: Also known as Tonic Immobility, is a handling technique used to keep a rabbit still by placing on its back. While the rabbit may look unconscious and immobile, it is actually alert, in fear and in extreme stress. We do not recommend rabbits to be tranced unless absolutely necessary.

 

Trancing is NOT an ethical practice and should NEVER be conducted unless for veterinary purposes. It can result in stress-induced conditions such as GI stasis and in extreme cases, acute heart failure leading to death.