BUNNY BONDING
Rabbits are prey animals. Handling your rabbit correctly will give it all the confidence he needs to be able to trust you. This trust will form a bond between you and your pet. Rabbits introduce themselves to each other by sniffing/rubbing noses. Therefore rubbing your rabbit on the area between his eyes and the top of his nose will create a great calming affect.
A rabbit's eyes are situated to the side of their faces and therefore makes it difficult for them to see directly ahead. This is why you will see your rabbit looking at you from an angle. With their eyes being set this way allows them to have optimum sight around to spot any danger.
If your rabbit is nervous you will need to give him plenty of time. Tempt him with a carrot before feed time and hold it and wait for him to approach you. You cannot force your rabbit to be friendly by constant handling, this will only make him aggitated.
Picking up your Rabbit
As a rule rabbits do not like to be picked up. They are sociable animals and would prefer to sit with you for company. Rabbits like to have their feet firmly on the ground, and may scrabble around when you do try to pick them up, as they feel insecure. So when you do need to pick your rabbit up, ensure you are doing this properly.
Place your hand under the chest or front feet, and place your other hand cupped around his rump end and hind feet. Remember your rabbit is more frightened than you are, so you will need to feel confident to give your rabbit the reassurance he needs. Once you have your rabbit in place move him around to place on your chest. A good temperamented rabbit will sit in this position.
Another position is to hold your rabbit under your forearm, he will feel secure being held in this way.
If your rabbit has crept into an awkward position it may be necessary to pick him up by the "scruff of the neck". This is done by grabbing the loose skin around the neck. It is not advisable to carry your rabbit far like this, as he will kick his legs.
Always make sure you are sitting down when holding your rabbit for a cuddle. This way you are in more control and your rabbit will feel secure.
When placing your rabbit back down, do this by bending as close to the surface as possible, do not allow your rabbit to fall.
A RABBIT WILL SCRATCH AND SCRABBLE IF IT FEELS INSECURE
Once your rabbit has bonded with you, he will run up to you, sniff, run and follow you around. They are very sociable animals. Remember "trust" is the key.
A rabbit's eyes are situated to the side of their faces and therefore makes it difficult for them to see directly ahead. This is why you will see your rabbit looking at you from an angle. With their eyes being set this way allows them to have optimum sight around to spot any danger.
If your rabbit is nervous you will need to give him plenty of time. Tempt him with a carrot before feed time and hold it and wait for him to approach you. You cannot force your rabbit to be friendly by constant handling, this will only make him aggitated.
Picking up your Rabbit
As a rule rabbits do not like to be picked up. They are sociable animals and would prefer to sit with you for company. Rabbits like to have their feet firmly on the ground, and may scrabble around when you do try to pick them up, as they feel insecure. So when you do need to pick your rabbit up, ensure you are doing this properly.
Place your hand under the chest or front feet, and place your other hand cupped around his rump end and hind feet. Remember your rabbit is more frightened than you are, so you will need to feel confident to give your rabbit the reassurance he needs. Once you have your rabbit in place move him around to place on your chest. A good temperamented rabbit will sit in this position.
Another position is to hold your rabbit under your forearm, he will feel secure being held in this way.
If your rabbit has crept into an awkward position it may be necessary to pick him up by the "scruff of the neck". This is done by grabbing the loose skin around the neck. It is not advisable to carry your rabbit far like this, as he will kick his legs.
Always make sure you are sitting down when holding your rabbit for a cuddle. This way you are in more control and your rabbit will feel secure.
When placing your rabbit back down, do this by bending as close to the surface as possible, do not allow your rabbit to fall.
A RABBIT WILL SCRATCH AND SCRABBLE IF IT FEELS INSECURE
Once your rabbit has bonded with you, he will run up to you, sniff, run and follow you around. They are very sociable animals. Remember "trust" is the key.