How to Hold a Rabbit

Rabbits are popular pets and make great companions. They come in a variety of sizes and colors, and enjoy interacting with people. Caring for a rabbit involves actions like picking them up and holding them. However, some rabbits need to be familiarized before you can touch them.

Allow the rabbit to get comfortable. Before holding a rabbit for the first time, you should ensure they feel comfortable being near you.

• Move slowly. If the rabbit’s cage is on the ground, start by sitting next to the cage. Your height can intimidate small animals, and sitting down helps reduce the height difference, making the rabbit feel less scared.
• Don’t rush. Place your hand next to the cage and encourage the rabbit to sniff your hand. Keep your hand there for a few minutes, speaking softly, reassuring them just as you would with a person who is scared or uncomfortable.
• Offer treats. If the rabbit shows no signs of aggression, you can bring in some lettuce or carrots to place in the cage. Do not force the rabbit to eat, just offer the food so they can smell it. A friendly rabbit will not hesitate to eat from your hand.
• Understand their shyness. Just like people, rabbits can be either extroverted or introverted. Shyness does not mean the rabbit is aggressive or dislikes you; it simply means they need more time to get to know the person they’re interacting with.

Try petting the rabbit. If you’ve offered the rabbit treats and haven’t seen any signs of aggression or fear, you can start petting them. Gently stroke from their shoulders down their back, stopping near their hips. Avoid stroking their head as it may remind the rabbit of a predator, which they may not appreciate.

• If the rabbit seems friendly but doesn’t approach, you can curl your hand into a fist so it’s smaller and less intimidating. Use the back of your hand or the top of your fingers to gently pet their shoulders and back.

Slide your hand under the rabbit’s armpit. This is the proper way to lift them while providing support for their body weight. The first step is to slide your dominant hand under the rabbit’s armpit with your palm facing up. Gently adjust your hand to cradle the rabbit like a sling. Position your hand behind their elbows, moving it toward their front legs.

Lift and support the rabbit. Use your dominant hand to lift the rabbit with a single smooth motion while supporting their back and hind legs with your other hand. If it doesn’t work on your first try, don’t worry. The rabbit may wriggle or you might just need more practice. Be patient and reward the rabbit with treats until they feel more at ease. Remember, it’s crucial to support both their front and back legs at the same time.

• During this time, always be prepared to gently place the rabbit back down on the floor or back into their cage in case they struggle or try to jump out of your arms, preventing any injuries.

Hold the rabbit. Gently lift the rabbit close to your chest, cradling their body softly. Your body will act as a protective barrier, helping the rabbit feel secure. Sometimes, the rabbit may crawl up onto your chest while you’re holding them. When this happens, adjust so that their belly is against your body, avoiding any pressure on their back as that could make them anxious.

Pet the rabbit. Gently pat while keeping your non-dominant hand steady. Use your dominant hand to softly stroke the rabbit’s ears and/or shoulders. If the rabbit seems comfortable, you can switch the hand holding their upper body with your other forearm (which is supporting their hind end). Use the hand to gently embrace the rabbit’s chest and front legs. This allows the rabbit to feel secure while still leaving you free to pet them.

Sit down with the rabbit. After a while of petting, you can sit down and let the rabbit rest on your belly or curl up in your lap.

• Sit on a cushion or lean against a wall, and slowly lower yourself until your hips touch the floor. At this point, let the rabbit move freely around and into your lap.
• Pet the rabbit while offering praise. This helps the pet form a positive bond with you, as well as with the act of being held. Shyer rabbits may start to feel more confident.
• Play with the rabbit. If the rabbit associates being held with fun, it will feel more at ease. Create a cardboard house for the rabbit to play with, or let it explore its surroundings. Set up objects like pins and let the rabbit knock them over, playing a form of bowling. As you bond with your pet, you’ll learn which types of games it enjoys.

Place the rabbit back into the cage. After cuddling and letting the rabbit play, lift it gently and place it back into its cage. The rabbit may not like being lifted and could start wriggling. You should avoid letting the rabbit slip out of your hands, but don’t hold it too tightly either, as that may cause injury.

Get to know the rabbit. Some rabbits enjoy being held and petted, while others may never like it. Some will only allow people they trust to pick them up. If you’re a stranger, it’s important to ask their owner about the rabbit’s personality before attempting to hold them.

Consider the size of the rabbit. It’s easy to pick up a baby rabbit, but what about one that weighs 7 or 10 kg? Keep in mind that you need a strong upper body to lift them, and it can be challenging to balance their body weight. For such cases, you should hold the rabbit so its side is pressed against your body, with its front paws resting on the arm you're using to support its upper body.

How to properly hold an older rabbit. Rabbits have a lightweight skeletal structure relative to their body size, and their bones become weaker as they age. When handling older rabbits, you must be extremely gentle, or, for health reasons, limit how much you pet them.

Be gentle with shy rabbits. Some rabbits may have had negative experiences being picked up or held in the past. If you encounter rabbits that struggle or dislike being touched, consider using a carrier and carrying them if you need to move them somewhere.

• Line the carrier with something soft, like a towel or pet mattress.
• Introduce the carrier slowly to the rabbit, allowing it to play or get used to the scent of the cage.
• Place food inside the carrier so the rabbit associates it with something pleasant. After some time, the rabbit will naturally hop in when it understands that you need to transport it.