Beginner’s Guide to Properly Handling Rabbits

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic
Updated:  September 12th, 2022
Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Rabbits can be such wonderful pets – they are affectionate, smart, and even goofy at times! These are just some of the reasons why so many people around the world choose them as their family pets. But before you commit to a rabbit pet, there are a few key things to know about. And the first and foremost is bunny handling. These are fragile and energetic creatures, and you want to know what is the best way to handle them easily and safely. It is all about the right approach and plenty of patience and care to ensure their safety at all times. 


Before you start, remember that you should not avoid handling rabbits. In fact, when done properly, handling your bunny can only enrich your bond. This is because rabbits are naturally social and affectionate creatures, especially when they are spayed and neutered. By handling them often and with gentleness and care, you will build a strong relationship with your pet and the affectionate nature of your bunny pet will quickly come to the forefront. However, it is crucial that you approach handling them with great care, because if you don't, you can either scare your bunny and damage your relationship, or even worse, inadvertently hurt them.


The Sooner You Start, the Better


The first thing to keep in mind is that you should start handling your bunny early on. Introducing your bunny to handling and human touch as early as possible will get them used to it much faster than if you wait until you try to pick them up. At this point, it is important to remember that, in nature, rabbits are prey for many predators. This means that they will have defensive instincts, and be naturally timid and fearful as a result. If you try to initiate physical contact abruptly, they can see it as a threat, and try to jump out of your hands, run away from you, or simply get too scared to get close to you again. Those first contacts are important, so be gentle, talk in a gentle and hushed voice, and take things slowly. Make no sudden movements! Don’t start handling in a chaotic or restless environment - peace and quiet can help relax your rabbit pet.


Be Gentle And Careful


As you start handling your rabbit, always keep in mind the fact that they can be quite fragile. Their little bones and bodies are delicate at best – so no squishing, strong grips, and holding them against their will. If a bunny is desperate to get out of your grip, they can end up hurting themselves from the sheer effort. Even worse, they can jump out of your hands and injure themselves from the fall, so take your time and be patient with them. 


It is best to get down low as you pick up a rabbit. Being closer to their level is less likely to scare them, and it also prevents you from dropping them from a height. Once you’re down closer to a safe height, remember to be slow and careful. Next, try picking them up: one hand should go underneath the bunny, across their chest, while the other should go beneath their backside. Once you are holding them with both hands, you can slowly place them against your body. Feeling your warmth and gentleness, and your soft words can help them feel secure.


It should be obvious, but never pick your rabbit in any other way than this – don’t hold them on their backs, tug on their ears, or hoist them by their legs. All this is very dangerous and potentially fatal for a little rabbit. 


What To Do If Your Rabbit Doesn’t Want to Be Held


Some bunnies, due to their high prey instincts, simply won’t enjoy getting handled. Others will accept it, and some only after a while. So take your time, and gradually lengthen the time you’re cradling the bunny. After a while, they will get used to you and become comfortable as well. 

As you are holding your pet rabbit, remember to show them affection. Slowly “groom” them by petting their head gently, around the eyes, on the ears, and on top of their nose. This imitates natural behavior between rabbits. Also follow the signs your rabbit gives you: some enjoy getting pets on the head, and others love getting back and butt scratches. If you take all these necessary steps and be patient and gentle, you and your rabbit will quickly establish an affectionate relationship that can last for many long years! 


WOW
Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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Reptiles are cold-blooded creatures, soaking up the sun to regulate their body temperature. But this doesn’t mean that they love ALL heat. As the temperatures climb outside, your reptile’s enclosure can quickly become dangerously hot, leading to serious health issues.This blog post will be your summer survival guide, packed with tips and tricks to keep your best friend cool and comfortable all summer long.What Happens if a Reptile Gets Too Hot?Overheating, or hyperthermia, occurs when a reptile's body heat rises dangerously high due to outside sources, and they are unable to adjust as necessary to bring it back down to a safe level.As cold-blooded animals, reptiles rely on outside influences for their temperature. If they are too cold, they seek heat. Likewise, if they are too hot, they seek a cooler area. However, if no cool space is available, their body temperature will continue to climb.Overheating can lead to dehydration, tissue/organ damage, or organ failure. Just as heatstroke can be fatal in dogs and cats, overheating can also be life-threatening for our reptile friends.What Temperature is Too Hot for Reptiles? Each reptile species has its own ideal temperature. For example, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the Greek tortoise thrives most in temperatures between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the green iguana prefers warmer temperatures, between 84 and 91 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures reflect the reptile's typical natural environment.You will need to research the specific species to determine what temperatures are safe for your reptile and what are considered too hot. You can do this by looking up that information online, but ensure you only trust a reliable source. Another great way to find out your pet's ideal temperature is to speak with your exotic animal veterinarian. If you don’t already have a vet specializing in exotic animals like reptiles, this is the perfect opportunity to start your search. The Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians database is a great place to start!

This US Map Reveals Which States Prefers Dogs Over Cats And Vice Versa

The age-old question: who is more popular, cats or dogs? Some owners will staunchly defend their doggos as the best pets around, while others won’t budge a from claiming their cherished felines should be #1. But what do the statistics say? An interesting survey unveiled a special map of the U.S. : one that shows us exactly the differences in cat and dog popularity.State by state, percentage by percentage, the cat and dog battle is revealed in accurate numbers, thanks to the website Zippia. A truly stunning graphic map has been published by this website otherwise known as a popular career and job portal. And it reveals each U.S. state’s choice of pets. First, however, we need to understand that roughly 86.9 million homes in America (around 66%) owns a pet in 2023-2024, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA). And from these numbers, it is revealed that around 65.1 million homes own a dog, making them by far most popular choice of pet animal. In comparison, around 46.5 million homes own a cat. But still, many of these owners own both a cat and a dog.But the Zippia map shows exactly which states are majority doggo lovers, and which ones are strictly feline fans. Their results were compiled with detailed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Kennel Club.The numbers tell us that Arkansas is the state that has the most dog lovers in the entire country - around 48% of its residents own a dog according to Zippia. A stark contrast is Massachusetts, with just 24% of its residents owning a pooch. And then there are the cat fans. According to Zippia, the most feline-friendly states are Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont. This reveals that America’s northeast has a special tendency towards cats in general. Some readers suggested that the climate and the general ambience of New England is more favorable for cats rather than doggos. But northernmost and southernmost states, Alaska and Texas, are strict doggo fans, which may be connected with their rugged nature and the protective and work role of certain dog breeds. But what about the breeds? Zippia also reveals that most states, 45 in total, are absolutely mad about Labrador Retrievers. This should not come as a surprise - Labradors are gentle and caring animals that make great pets. What about you? Are you a dog lover or a feline friend? Or do you adore both? 

Recently Discovered “Salty Licorice” Cat Coat Linked to Gene Mutation

A new kind of kitty just dropped! Well, not exactly “just” – the unusual coat dubbed “salty licorice appeared as early as 2007 in Finland. And now, almost two decades later, a team of researchers from the University of Helsinki in Finland has discovered the true source of this unique color: a rare genetic mutation.Fans of the pattern described it as similar to a tuxedo for cats, but with striking similarity with Finnish salty licorice, hence the name. These cats usually have dark markings on the face, and black dots over the body, with the back portion of the body and the tail often being totally white. At first, not a lot of thought was given to the source of this odd pattern, but now a team of scientists finally got to the core of the matter.In their research, it was discovered that the pattern is connected to the variation of the KIT proto-oncogene gene, which is "associated with an absence of melanocytes in the skin and hair follicles". What is more, the variation commonly causes the white coat in many domestic cats.Upon discovery, the research team named this trait “salmiak”, after the popular Finnish salty licorice treat. It was also concluded that the odd coat pattern appears most often in black cats, although this is not exclusive.During the research process, the team studied DNA samples from five “salty licorice” kitties, and over 180 regular Finnish domestic cats. This was done under the supervision of the Animal Ethics Committee of the State Provincial Office of Southern Finland. Early in the testing, there was little success, as no variants of the KIT gene were revealed. But with hard work and dedication, the team revealed a large deletion of the gene, which could link it to the truly unique cat color. All of the five “salty licorice” cats that were tested had two copies of the gene mutation. In stark contrast, none of the other cats had this, and only three of them had a single copy of the gene mutation. "Our research approach is community science.” Hannes Lohi, a research team member said. “Often, the research ideas also come from cat owners and breeders having found something interesting in their pets."

Tips and Tricks for Home Adjustments for Senior Dogs
Tips and Tricks for Home Adjustments for Senior Dogs
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Cozy Fall Is Back – And So Are GREENIES Pumpkin Spice Dental Treats!

There is nothing that feels cozier than autumn. As the evenings become chillier and the leaves turn into vibrant shades of orange, we all get into that fall mood and reach for our favorite treats – such as a yummy pumpkin spice latte! And now, thanks to the limited-edition dental chews from GREENIES, your pet can enjoy the same cinnamony, pumpkin flavor you look forward to each year. Specially crafted for the autumn season, these one-of-a-kind chews are designed to give your pet a taste of fall while promoting healthy teeth and fresh breath all the while. 

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