Does it matter that I don't pick my rabbit up?

wickatre65

We currently have 7 rescue bunnies, all are different in their likes and dislikes, with them being prey animals some get extremely stressed when picked up. If your Bun doesnt mind being handled and transported then dont worry, you have to adapt to the individual. One of ours hates being picked up and will bite and growl if you do, but quite happily jump onto the sofa and settle herself on my lap.

lbt_2

Are rabbits that are kept outside happy to spend time indoors? Obviously it depends on the individual rabbit, but I just wondered if anyone houses their rabbits outside but brings them inside too.

Thanks

feelinggood_2

lbt wrote: »

Are rabbits that are kept outside happy to spend time indoors? Obviously it depends on the individual rabbit, but I just wondered if anyone houses their rabbits outside but brings them inside too.

Thanks

My last rabbit was an outdoor rabbit who'd come in for an hour a day or so. He used a litter tray whilst inside and seemed to love running along the hallway and jumping as high as he could!

wickatre65

lbt wrote: »

Are rabbits that are kept outside happy to spend time indoors? Obviously it depends on the individual rabbit, but I just wondered if anyone houses their rabbits outside but brings them inside too.

Thanks

All ours live outside (shed with enclosed outside run) they have free run of garden most days , in two shifts (two bunny groups) if the doors open they come in and frequently if door isn't they tap on patio door glass! They all use a litter tray in shed so will do in house as well. Snugling down on the sofa is favorite with all but one (who likes to terrorize the cat instead) If you live in a house you might need a kiddie gate on stairs.

lbt_2

Feelinggood, how did you train your rabbit to use the litter tray indoors as well as outside?

Wick, how cute!! I can't believe they knock to come in. How could anyone possibly refuse? Out of interest, how many do you have?

I love the idea of mine coming into the house sometimes, but hubby would not be impressed if we kept finding droppings everywhere. As long as I can use a litter tray it will be great.

Thanks

helping_hubby

I have 2 rabbits, and neither like being picked up. I don't think it's natural for them.

Twiglet I can pick up no problem though and I can clip her nails, I can give her injections (she's been ill a lot)...

On the other hand, Gizmo completely flips when I attempt to pick him up. We've just made him a door on his ground level run so we can let him run freely, so we don't have to pick him up to let him out for a run. The vet really struggles too. He has to held really tightly. Despite all that he loves a fuss and will sit next to me for an hour being stroked.

lbt, ours use a litter tray in doors if need be, they just know. In the early days i just kept putting the stray poos back in the trays and they got the idea. Actually Twiggy amuses me, when she has the entire garden to roam and I've left a spare litter tray out, she uses that to go to the toilet! That's a well trained bunny

lbt_2

That's impressive!!

Thanks HH

viktory

As wickatre65 says, rabbits are prey animals and they perceive being picked up as a threat, so it is natural for them to struggle. Having said, that I have been blessed with the most loving of buns. He never struggles when he is picked up and loves to sit on my husbands shoulder, or draped across my chest for a good fuss and a nap.

Loopy_Girl

I agree with other...bunnies actually don't like being picked up and the only way to get their trust is to pick them up lots and make them feel safe.

I always speak in a low voice so Max knows I am there and spend a few minutes stroking him in his hutch rather than just diving in. When he had the knackers taken off and was back in his hutch he was a bit tetchy with me so I put an (old) towel over him and then picked him up and he loved it!! He's back to being fine about being picked up minus the towel although he does have his own personality and will make it clear when he has had enough of cuddles!!

The main thing is to make the bunny feel safe...once picked up then cuddle right in to your body and make sure the paws are tucked up in your arms. I'm afraid if you don't lift him and prove to bunny that you can be trusted and he is secure then he will never like being lifted...it's a long process. Start even just lifting his back paws off the floor for a couple of centimetres and then putting them down and then moving on from there slowly.

You actually have a head start with him coming to you when you are on the floor...just take your time and persevere. You have to keep going or else if you don't he will just go back to being a bunny that will never be picked up.

I make sure I go out and pick my bunny up at least 4 times a day...if it's raining then I bring him in the house to sit on my lap for a wee while.

Hope that helps