All About Pickup and Hold of your bunny

Picking Up and Holding Your Rabbit

It is very important to know how to properly pick up and hold your rabbit. Rabbits have a fragile bone structure, especially in their front paws, which are very weak. Dropping a rabbit—even from a short height, such as from a small child’s arms—can cause serious injury.

General Rules for Picking Up a Rabbit

All safe pickup methods follow these basic principles:

Support the Rabbit Properly: Always support both the front and back ends of the rabbit. Place one hand under the chest and the other under the hind legs, holding the rabbit close to your body to make them feel secure.

• Be Gentle and Calm: Approach rabbits calmly and avoid sudden movements. Move slowly and talk quietly to prevent startling them.

• Avoid Certain Handling Methods: Never pick up a rabbit by their ears or the scruff of their neck, as this can cause injury and stress.

• Limit Holding Time: Rabbits often prefer to be on the ground. If you can avoid it, try not to hold your rabbits for too long, as they can find being held quite stressful.

• Stay as close to the ground as possible when picking up your bunny.

• Use your dominant hand to support the rabbit’s stomach just above the ground.

• Use your other hand to support the bunny’s bottom.

• Gently move the bunny against your non-dominant shoulder.

• Only stand up once the bunny is fully secure.

• If you feel like you are losing control, immediately drop to the floor with the bunny.

• If the bunny starts moving toward your back, drop to the floor with the bunny.

Putting the Bunny Down

• Always put the bunny down bottom first and as close to the ground as possible.

• Most of the bunny’s weight should be on their bottom.

• Remember: rabbits have very weak front paw bones.

Alternative Handling Methods

Carrier Approach

• You can place the bunny into a top-opening carrier for safe transport.

Bunny Wrap

• You can gently wrap the bunny in a baby blanket, preferably fleece, to help them feel secure.

Real-Life Situations

• If the bunny hops away, use the palm of your hand to gently block their movement.

• You can flip over a willow tent or other hideaway to block their path.

• You can herd the bunny into their carrier rather than trying to grab them.

You can work with a local Rabbit Rescue Group or shelter on the pickup and hold skills.

We show a visual demonstration on how to correctly pick up and hold a rabbit, you might find this video helpful: