Domestic rabbits can be the best pet choice because of their ability to adapt well to open environments. In addition, rabbits can also be trained to defecate using the litter box. If you keep a rabbit at home, it's important that you know how to lift and carry it safely. Rabbits have strong hind leg muscles. So when he jerked it, his spine was at risk of injury. It is not difficult for you to raise a rabbit, all you need now is to know how to do it safely and correctly.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Raising the Rabbit
Step 1. Make your rabbit feel comfortable to the touch by gently petting it
Pet him at short intervals, spending more time by his side. Consider keeping a plate of leaves in front of him to reduce the potential for your rabbit to become agitated when touched.
- Don't make sudden movements that can frighten him. Be gentle and calm when you pet him. Rabbits are predatory animals. So when they feel threatened, the rabbit will run and hide if they can.
- Sit on the ground so that your body size seems small to him, not towering.
Step 2. Know how to pick up the wrong rabbit
Never pick up a rabbit by its ears, feet or tail. Rabbits are very sensitive to the touch. It can be seriously injured if you lift it the wrong way. Grasping their paws, tail or ears violently can make them react to tug on them. This can result in fractures, dislocations, or tears in the lower muscles and soft tissues.
- Rabbits that are new to the home environment must be picked up and carried by an adult first. Young children should pet it when the rabbit is on the ground or on the lap of the child (or adult) in a sitting position.
- Staying close to ground level is a good precaution. If the rabbit tries to run away, it will not fall too far and injure itself.
Step 3. Practice placing your palms under the rabbit's chest and slowly lifting its front paws, then lowering them back down
Give him food as a gift. This practice can make your rabbit feel used to being picked up.
Step 4. Use the elastic skin on the back of the rabbit's neck to hold the nape
Do not lift the rabbit by the neck alone. This method is done only to prevent forward movement when your other hand is holding the back leg. Bend the rabbit into a "rabbit ball" shape.
- Your hands should support the rabbit's bottom. "Roll" the hind legs into the front of the rabbit. This will prevent the rabbit from jerking its paw and potentially injuring it.
- There are different opinions regarding whether or not it's okay to hold a rabbit's nape. If done carefully this will not hurt the rabbit.
Step 5. Use two hands to lift the rabbit
Place one hand under his chest and the other behind his back. This position should be comfortable for you and your rabbit. Make sure your grip is firm (but not too tight) so the rabbit doesn't jump when you pick it up.
- Be sure to carefully support the hind legs by holding the buttocks and rolling the hind legs toward the front of the rabbit's head. Remember, you're propping his hind legs together in front so they're in the opposite direction to where he can jerk his legs.
- By kneeling you can get closer to your rabbit so you don't have to lift it. Sit on the ground with the rabbit.
Step 6. Use the right approach
It's best to get your rabbit out of a cage (with the top open) or an enclosed area in your home. Lifting a rabbit out of a cage with an open side will be more difficult. Usually rabbits run and hide when approached. Also, raising a rabbit in an area full of furniture can be just as difficult.
- Grasp the rabbit's hind legs first as you remove it from the cage that has an opening on the side. That way, if the rabbit slips from your grip, it will jump back into the cage instead of falling to the ground.
- Keep the rabbit's head toward the back of the cage with one hand while gently grasping the nape of the neck. Use your other hand to support your buttocks and roll them up into a “bunny ball.” Then lift the rabbit with his feet in front of you. Place it under your arm so its head can hide there.
- If you are removing the rabbit from the cage with the opener on top, you can use the same technique. But remember, don't just lift the rabbit by the scruff of the neck.
- If the rabbit is calm and used to being held, you can immediately lift him up with one hand under his chest, the other supporting his bottom. You no longer need to hold the nape of the neck.
- But be careful, if the rabbit feels it will fall, it will struggle and try to get down. If this happens, place the rabbit back into the cage and repeat to pick it up. Or you can also hold the nape of the neck.
Step 7. Persuade the rabbit to come out of its hiding place, do not pull it by force
If your rabbit tends to run towards furniture, coax it with food before picking it up. It would be even better if you set up an area that would prevent your rabbit from escaping and hiding. So he doesn't have access to the hard-to-reach hiding places.
Never pull a rabbit's paw so it can get closer to you. It's better to hold the nape slowly to prevent it from escaping. Then you can cover his body with your arms and support his legs. Do not grab the nape or lift it forcibly as this will cause injury
Step 8. Watch for warning signs indicating that the rabbit does not want to be picked up
If the rabbit thumps its hind legs when approached, be careful. This is a sign that you are in his territory and he is not happy with you. The rabbit may be difficult to handle, so be prepared.
Again, don't forget to use cages or barriers inside the cage or other area to help you manage your rabbit's access to its hiding place. This way you can find and contain your rabbit more easily
Part 2 of 3: Carrying and Carrying the Rabbit
Step 1. Hold the rabbit with the head slightly higher than the back legs and waist
Don't tilt his head down as he will try to jump out of your hand and injure himself.
Step 2. Gently lift the rabbit to your side (or in front of your mid-belly) under your arms
Rabbits will feel safer if they can hide a little. Your rabbit should be carefully cradled and lifted under your arms, cradled comfortably under your “wings.” Some people call this position the "ball grip".
- If you are left-handed, place the rabbit's head under your left hand. Wrap your left arm around the rabbit while the other hand supports its bottom.
- Gently place your right hand on his neck. Be prepared to hold the rabbit by the scruff of the neck for fear of it moving suddenly.
- Do not carry him so that his body is stretched or suspended in the air.
Step 3. Give rabbits to other people in the right way
Ideally, place the rabbit on a table, holding it so that it doesn't come off when the person tries to pick it up. Never give a rabbit in mid-air. This can cause your grip to loosen and the rabbit to fall from a great distance.
Step 4. Reduce the chance of injury
If you feel like you're losing control when you're carrying your rabbit, immediately crouch down near the ground or a table. This needs to be done to avoid too high a distance if the rabbit falls. In addition, this method also allows you to use the ground or table to lift your rabbit again.
Step 5. Use a carrier case or wrapping object to lift the very agile rabbit
Some rabbits don't like to be held. No matter how much angler food or petting is given, the rabbit's attitude will not change. To move this breed of rabbit, it's best to use a carrying case instead of trying to lift it.
Use one hand to hold the nape of the neck while the other hand supports the buttocks to form a “bunny ball”. Then hand over the rabbit
Part 3 of 3: Bring Down the Rabbit
Step 1. Carefully lower the rabbit to the ground (or the roof of the cage) while holding it with a “ball grip”
Removing the rabbit while it is still in your hands can put the rabbit at risk of falling and eventually getting injured. Always make sure your grip is firm as rabbits tend to want to jump when they see ground or floor.
Step 2. Place the rabbit in front of the cage with his feet behind him with his head facing you
This method can reduce the chances of the rabbit jumping and injuring itself.
Step 3. Give the rabbit a treat as a treat
After some time in your hands without jumping or biting, your submissive rabbit deserves a reward. Gently, give him food as a gift. The rabbit will begin to realize that being picked up by a human isn't such a bad thing so next time he may be calmer.
Tips
- Rabbits should begin to be held often from childhood so that they are accustomed to being controlled, lifted, and removed from their cage or carrier box.
- Don't reward him for his bad attitude. If the rabbit scratches your arm, usually with its hind legs, try NOT to let it go right away. You may not be strong enough to carry it. As long as you're not seriously hurt, hold the rabbit closer under your arm and then let it slowly descend. This is done to prevent rewarding his bad attitude by giving him freedom. But of course, you have to keep interacting with the rabbit. Consider protecting your hands with long sleeves if you want to continue training them to get used to being touched and controlled by humans.
- Be patient. Rabbits are inhabitant and soil diggers. He will not feel comfortable being in a high position at first because that is not where he is naturally located.
- Consider enlisting the help of a reliable rabbit carrier to avoid injury to you and your rabbit.
- Gifting food can help you train your rabbit to get used to being held and controlled by your hand. Give it when you touch or rub it gently.
- If your rabbit seems agitated, reassure him by covering his eyes.
Warning
- Do not drop the rabbit as it can be seriously injured.
- Always hold on to his hind legs so he doesn't jump and scratch your arms.
