People love to get pets so they can have a perfect cuddling buddy. Dogs and cats come to sit on their humanâs lap when they want a pet or a shower of love. Birds tend to snuggle in their ownerâs neck. On the other hand, Rabbits are less likely to hop in their ownerâs lap for some loving.
When a rabbit wants to show you its love, it will nibble you or rub its nose against you to ask for a pet. If a rabbit only hops in your lap sometimes, it does not necessarily mean you cannot hold your bunny. So, do bunnies like to be held like a baby?
Holding a bunny like a baby can be beneficial for your rabbit. However, only if done right. Rabbits have sensitive bones, and if you hold them the wrong way on their backs, they can injure their spine and succumb to the injuries.
As a pet owner, you will itch to pick your bunny up and hold it close to your heart. The primary purpose of having a pet is to have a cuddle buddy and to play with the precious animal.
Holding your rabbit is not harmful if you know how to do it right. If you pick your bunny the wrong way, you will have regrets, as your rabbit can get severely injured. Keep scrolling to learn how to hold your bunny correctly!
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Hold Your Bunny Correctly To Keep It Calm
Rabbits are sensitive creatures and get scared quickly. When holding your rabbit like a baby, ensure that you provide full bodily support to your rabbit to reduce its anxiety about being touched. You must lift your bunny by placing one hand under its chest and the other under its backside for complete support.
If your rabbit remains calm and interacts with you in this position, you have gained your precious furry friendâs complete trust. Be careful not to pull your bunnyâs ears or neck by accident, and keep providing support to reduce anxiety, fear, and stress in your bunny rabbit.
Avoid Doing These While Holding Your Rabbit
Holding your rabbit like a baby is an excellent bonding experience for you. It will bring your rabbit close to you and reduce your precious petâs stress, as it will feel safe in your arms.
It would be best if you were careful when handling rabbits. They have delicate bodies and fragile bones that can snap with the wrong movement. When holding your bunny rabbit, avoid grabbing the following parts of your pet:
Ears
Rabbits hate people touching their ears, primarily if you use force. The ears are one of the most sensitive parts of your rabbitâs body, and you can damage them with the slightest carelessness. When holding your rabbit like a bay, please do not touch or hold its ears to avoid unwanted injuries.
Stomach
When you lift a kitten or a puppy, you can place your hand on their stomach and pull them in your lap. Easy.
However, you should never handle bunnies that way. Rabbits have weak spines that can break when you put stress on them. Arching your rabbit by pulling it towards you from its stomach can result in a severe back injury to your poor rabbit.
Tail
Your rabbitâs tail joins with its spine with the most fragile joint possible. If you pull your rabbit from the tail, it will feel pain and panic. Your bunny will try to break free in a run, which can cause a shock to your rabbitâs spine, resulting in breakage. A broken spine is fatal for your delicate furry baby.
Legs
When you grab your rabbitâs legs, it will feel attacked and stressed. A bunnyâs leg is easy to break or dislocate. However, recovering it is a challenging task. Your rabbit will suffer from intense pain and an uncomfortable recovery process if you accidentally break its leg while holding it like a baby.
Neck
Every animal is different. Lifting a dog or a cat from the scruff of its neck is natural and comforting for the animals. However, that is not the case with rabbits. A rabbitâs neck area is fragile, and pulling it isnât good. You can always pet or put slight pressure on the scruff of your rabbitâs neck to keep it calm while holding it but not pulling.
You must always carry your rabbit with one hand under its chest and the other supporting its back. It is the only appropriate and safe way for a bunny to enjoy your touch and not get hurt.
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Do Not Lay Your Rabbit On Its Back While Holding It
Holding your rabbit like a baby that has to burp is a better and safe position for your precious. Holding your bunny like a sleeping baby on its back is dangerous. You might notice your rabbit going into a trance when you hold it on its back. You must have thought your bunny is calm as a clam. However, it is quite the opposite.
Rabbitâs go into a trance when held on their back as a defense mechanism. Your precious furry friend is stressed when you hold it this way. Some people think it is fun, but they are wrong. It is severely unhealthy for your bunny. Your rabbit can panic and move in a jerk-like motion, injuring its spine and hurting itself badly.
Benefits of Holding Your Bunny Like A Baby
As a pet parent, your first concern should be the benefits of anything your bunny eats or experiences. Holding your rabbit like a baby has plenty of advantages for your rabbit if done right. Here are a few:
Sense of Security
People say babies feel secure, calm, and relaxed when they hear their motherâs heartbeat while hugging. Holding your rabbit has the same effect on the precious furry animal. When you hold your rabbit like a baby, you can feel your bodyâs warmth and hear your heart beating.
It gives your bunny a soothing vibe and calms its nerves. This bonding phenomenon is the reason why bunnies make the best pets for people with anxiety and stress in their lives.
Strengthens the Connection
Communicating and connecting with your pet is essential to have a happy life. It can be depressing if you have a pet that does not like hanging out with you. Holding your cute furry friend in your arms like a baby can create an unspeakable bond between you and your precious pet. It is an experience worth all the carefulness as you and your rabbit will become one in that moment of mutual calmness.
Helps With Training
When your child hesitates at doing a challenging task, you give them a hug and a pat on the back to boost their morale. You can use the same technique with your bunny rabbit.
If you want your furry baby to learn a new trick and sense hesitation in your bunny, hold it like a baby before you start the training. Stoke its back and kiss its nose. The affection will boost your bunnyâs mood and morale, resulting in a confident little fur ball.
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Be Careful During The Shedding Season
When a rabbit is shedding, its skin becomes more sensitive than usual. Your bunny will avoid having direct contact with you. It is best not to take offense when your rabbit fights back as you try to hold it during shedding season.
It would help if you only touched your rabbit while grooming and removing the excessive fur to prevent hairballs. Use a soft brush to avoid hurting your rabbitâs fragile and irritated skin.
Final Words
A unique bond with your pet rabbit is essential, as rabbits can live up to 10-12 years. There are many ways you can keep your furry animal your friend. Rabbits do not require much; all they need are necessities. Give your rabbit love, care, attention, and playtime.
Watch your bunny hop happily when you feed it well and enough hay, greens, and fruits every day. Hold your precious furry friend close to your heart like a baby, gently and carefully, to create a lasting connection. Bunnies are excellent pets. Do the right things to keep your bunny safe and happy to observe a change in your stress and your bunnyâs mood.