how to hold a bunny on its back

Did this article provide any new information for you? A bunny on its back or side, with its legs out and tummy exposed, is very vulnerable, so if your rabbit does this around you it means that they trust you wholeheartedly. Placing a rabbit on its back results in a physiologic state of tonic immobility, or TI. But it makes sense to use this procedure for medical reasons. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Should you decide to do this, safely secure your rabbit should she quickly come out of her trance. Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward me a small…. Rabbits who are tranced have depressed reflexes, poor muscle tone and a drop in all vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure). They completely lose the ability to right themselves. It will not move for a while; and will not kick while you cut. She is about 4 months old and I'm thinking of trying the things on this website to bond, "This information is very helpful. Sitting with weight on bottom, washing face with front feet, pulling ears down to lick them, twisting around to groom back and sides No prizes for this one - your rabbit is grooming itself. Last Updated: February 19, 2020 They concluded that both the physiological and behavioral responses were indicative of a fear motivated stress state. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. ahh yes they do scratch you try to hold your rabbit like this put one hand to hold its back legs and put the other hand under its chest and front arms i hope i helped you. If you can avoid it, try not to hold your rabbits for too long. Whatever you call it, there are varying opinions about what it does and whether or not it is harmful. The ONLY way to reunite baby bunnies with Mom is to get the bunnies back in the ORIGINAL den. Before holding a rabbit for the first time, it is best to let the rabbit get used to you. Even when it is apparent that our rabbit's nails need to be trimmed, it can become a challenge if the rabbit gets nervous and is unwilling to cooperate. Place one hand flat on his chest with your thumb behind one of his forearms. This is dangerous, as they can die of fear, so only use it in emergencies (e.g. Simply scoop the little one up carefully and turn them over onto their front slowly. That is debatable. When your rabbit seems comfortable and ready, pick it up gently and place it in your lap or hold it in your arms. All about rabbits, rodents, hares and more! This article has been viewed 191,453 times. and yes, bunnies will struggle to free themselves from your grip because they're scared. I had a lot of questions that have now been answered.". “there is a view that the immobility response occurs in stressful situations and that rabbits lying on their backs are terrified and waiting to be eaten.”. If the rabbit needs to be handled (for example to clip its nails, see to an injury, or to be taken to the vet) and is struggling enough to hurt itself, this is a way of keeping it still without drugging it. Know Your Rabbit is an informational blog by Michele Ross: animal lover, rescue/adoption proponent, and bunny-mom. It may stop eating a favorite food, have trouble chewing and swallowing, show changes in feces production, or simply not eat anymore. There do not appear to be any scientific studies that promote doing this for the purposes of bonding or human pleasure. Rabbits binkying look a bit like a person gleefully jumping into the air and … The stress can be harmful, and there is a definite possibility of the rabbit being hurt or even dying, which is why it is suggested to only do this when absolutely necessary and as quickly as possible. Next, offer the rabbit some of its favorite treats and wait for it to approach you rather than lunge for it. This shows that your bunny feels safe enough to relax around you. In their study, the rabbits exhibited fear behaviors during TI. When I first got my little 2-pound bunny Pudge, I would occasionally hold him in my arms on his back. Many also refer to this process as trancing, hypnotizing or mesmerizing. Rabbit Binkying. So, Now that you have read this, I would love to hear your stories. I assume a rabbit feels the same discomfort and unease. It is understandably something that would seem to promote bonding. Their message is “Trancing is cruel, please don’t do it. Additionally, support your rabbit’s body weight to avoid injury if it suddenly wakes up. Rabbit Cysts . After a week of doing this, try to get them to eat from your hand, this is much less threatening than trying to stroke them. Will a rabbit still like me after I put them in a trance? While I did find photos and videos of rabbits tranced, I just could not bring myself to put on one my website. Please visit our bunny gallery to see the visual difference between bunnies that are old enough to be on their own, and bunnies that still need Mom’s help. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward me a small commission – at no extra cost for you. You can read the RWAF page on this topic here. References. Dr. Varga describes the physiology behind this freeze response, which she describes as a “transitory and reversible state of profound motor inhibition,” that occurs in prey species under threatening or stressful conditions. Is it OK to Pick a Rabbit up by its Scruff? This is a long-known phenomenon in the wild. The vessel is the quick. A critical element of cleaning a rabbit’s bottom is how you hold them. Will you do this with your rabbit going forward? This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Read full details through the link at the bottom of my home page and thank you for being here! And if the bunny is disturbed that you're too close to the quick. Your rabbit may be a little bit dizzy though, so cuddle with it to keep it from injuring itself. The rabbit will look content and appear to be totally relaxed. What if my rabbit stays in a trance for longer than expected? Be sure to support the bunny's back and hindquarters when you're holding it and use a firm grip without squeezing the rabbit. Rabbit welfare groups and Veterinarians largely agree that a tranced rabbit is in a fear-induced state of stress. They prefer to be able to run free and play on the ground and can find being held quite stressful. hold him against your body for support. Veterinarians (some) will routinely place your bunny on her back while examining her and/or cutting her nails. As before, have a treat in one hand and stroke along your rabbits back, until your hand is in the right position to lift and gently take a little of your rabbits weight. Rabbits who have been repeatedly hypnotized have been shown in studies to have raised corticosteroid levels and fear behaviors, supporting the fact that the immobility response is indeed induced by fear and stress. How to safely pick up your rabbit to prevent injury. When you lift a rabbit by the scruff the skin is torn loose from the muscle tissue. Start stroking her forehead, then cheeks, this is where rabbits feel safest being stroked. What do I do when my bunny is still breathing but can't move? A rabbit with teeth that are too long will have to change its eating habits. Don't try to pick her up because many rabbits actually suffer vertigo. Start today! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The handler is restraining the rabbit firmly by the scruff with the other hand ready to support the animal's hindquarters. I would consider euthanasia only as a last resort, if all attempts to treat the condition have failed, leaving the bunny in misery, unwilling to eat, drink or act normally at all. was intrigued, and can't believe I didn't know about this sooner, as much as we have researched about rabbits. I will provide a link to this article titled “Trancing Rabbits: relaxed hypnosis or a state of fear?” at the end of this post. If your rabbits are in a trance, they are as scared as they can possibly be. What do I do? I may make a small commission for purchases made through any of my links at no additional charge to you, the purchaser. I got mine as a rescue at six months and she was very nervous and did not like to be touched. Rabbits are terrified and so they stay still, they are *not* enjoying the experience. In 2006, Dr. Anne McBride and her co-authors presented a paper at the  VDWE International Congress on Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare. Put your hand beside the rabbit's hutc… 2. here's a trick to make him struggle less. For my part, I will not use this method because after my research I do believe this to be a stressful and frightening maneuver for rabbits. This is a last resort, though. Of course, you will then let go of his scruff. Likely not, but it's still best to do this rarely so your rabbit doesn't get overwhelmed and stressed. Is it okay to do this? After TI, there was an increased frequency in hiding and grooming coupled with a decrease in exploration. Bunny care giver on December 03, 2008: It is better to turn the bunny upside down, lying on its back on your arm, and use the other hand to cut the nails. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. ", http://blog.rabbitnetwork.org/trancing-rabbits/, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1265954/Is-bunny-hopping-mad-Its-time-rabbit-whisperer.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Dr. Varga draws on scientific studies, including the Paper by McBride et al to come up with her opinion that TI should not be done routinely or for bonding purposes. Always use both hands when lifting and holding rabbits. It hurts the rabbit, and can actually rip some blood vessels too. The rabbit should be held its head tucked under the handler's arm and with the back and hindquarters supported by the handler's forearms. My rabbit has wet fur under his mouth. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. There are still some who opine that this method may be appropriate to facilitate brief exams and routine care, such as nail trimming. What They Do: Rabbit turns its back to you and sits or lies down, without even looking back. You can ask the poster of the video or tell him to remove the video, but first ask the poster of the video if the rabbit was being abused. … How to Hold a Rabbit to Clean its Bum. And this is Pudge, the inspiration behind it all. Using TI as an alternative to anesthesia is still indicated due to the risk/benefit ratio. start by laying it on its back on your lap with its rump higher than its head. Keep them held in a secure grip and put them down gently. This may help with securing your bunny to facilitate a safe, secure lift. I never realized that it was dangerous to trance a rabbit, I mostly just, "I have a lop eared bunny. In humans, when skin's function is disordered we experience a strange or abnormal sensation. This reputable organization does not mince words on this topic at all. Dr. Vanderlip cautions that rabbit hypnosis is a short-lived event. They’ll probably pause a lot to look and listen, or they might stretch out as far as they can with their back feet staying in the same place. The House Rabbit Society also states that holding the scruff to control your rabbit (such as for nail trimming) is permissible as long as their “rear end is supported against a solid surface.” Thanks for reading, Dr. Vanderlip instructs her readers how to mesmerize their bunny and describes the “slow, deep breathing” that will occur in a “couple of minutes.” She provides this instruction for the purpose of examining your rabbit’s underside, genitals, cheeks, and teeth. They fear getting put back into their abodes because they worry that they will be locked inside again and forgotten. RWAF encourages the sharing of this poster. Want to make amazing homemade jewelry? Let me approach this by summarizing some scientifically sound information from some experts: Dr. Varga acknowledges the controversy of this topic by noting that some practitioners will place rabbit’s on their back in order to perform short procedures (such as nail clipping) but that the controversy stems from the viewpoint that rabbits become frozen due to fear. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 191,453 times. Height can often be intimidating to smaller animals and sitting down reduces height and can make you seem less intimidating. The bunnies goes into a "bunny-trance" in that position. make sure you've got your hand underneath his tummy and back legs. The rabbits immediately start moving around so it is important not to be afraid when grooming and cutting its nails, as otherwise it can be a very complicated task.So in our step by step guide below we at … Tooth-clicking. The scruff of the neck cannot handle the weight of a full grown rabbit, especially a big one. Start by sitting with your bunny, but do not touch them. For an amateur bunny owner, the risks associated with flipping your pet on his back often outweighs the potential gain. Is it bad to put your rabbit on its back? That’s just the beauty of affiliate marketing! If you do purchase, thank you! The idea is to trick the predator into loosening its grip just long enough for the rabbit to escape. She concurs with Dr. McBride that it may be appropriate in the clinical setting if it obviates the need for anesthesia which may pose more risk to the rabbit. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Rabbits are prey animals that stay low to the ground and are naturally skittish, so knowing the proper way to hold your bunny is important. This potentially dangerous maneuver should be reserved for absolutely-necessary situations. are you holding him right? Its a Dwarf Lop and its female. By using our site, you agree to our. You must be very careful at this point. Don't rush. This strengthened previously held beliefs that the notion that the rabbits are relaxed using TI and using this practice to bond with pets are misplaced. Be aware that the rabbit may be in a state of shock, so it could jump out of your arms in excitement. I am an Associate with Amazon Associates and other affiliates. There are so many "cute" YouTube videos of rabbits "sleeping" when the rabbit is actually being abused and is in TI. Even a rabbit with a head tilt can live a happy, comfortable life as long as there is no pain, and the bunny enjoys eating, drinking, and being loved. He is not in a trance. It is understandably something that would seem to promote bonding. Many loving and caring rabbit owners and even practitioners in the veterinary field have performed this measure on rabbits. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. To put your rabbit back down, keep them as close to your body as possible and lower them to the ground as you squat down. Your rabbit is curious about something and wants to investigate. This is my bunny Pudge happily napping. Noting that previous research describes the physiological responses to TI, the authors set out to study the behavioral responses in rabbits both during and after this maneuver. They shave a small patch of fur on the belly where the incision takes place (for female rabbits). Veterinarians (some) will routinely place your bunny on her back while examining her and/or cutting her nails. So, who is correct? Familiarize yourself. Rabbit sex demystified. Find the den site. % of people told us that this article helped them. Sit with them as much as possible, if they come up to you, let them sniff around you, but don't touch them. Textbook of Rabbit Medicine, Second Edition. Pet them until they’re calm. Finally, the authors state that TI should only be used when necessary and rabbit owners and others should be educated on this. Cysts are pockets in the skin that are filled with a cystic material (similar to a zit in people). Dr. Varga cited several studies including one by McBride et al, 2006 which I will also discuss further in this post. Some use the terms “freeze response” or “rabbit immobility response”. 23 ways to discourage your rabbit from digging up your carpet. Do Rabbits go into heat? I, "This article was very helpful, thank you. Who can resist the cuteness? Step 2. It is not dangerous. What It Means: “You are behaving unacceptably.” Offense Level: 7 — Deeply Hurt What They Do: Rabbit turns its back to you, lies down, and folds its ears all the way down, to … This layer helps hold the skin to the muscle tissue. Further, Dr. McBride points out that terms such as hypnosis and mesmerize may suggest to people that this is a relaxing event for your rabbit when in fact, the scientific and behavioral evidence supports the fact that this is, in fact, a fear-driven stress event. Trancing your rabbit. Dr. Vanderlip does not discuss one way or the other whether hypnotizing your rabbit is good or bad but leaves the impression that it is only for brief care and examination. Yea. For tips on how to respond when your rabbit wakes up, keep reading! {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Put-Your-Rabbit-in-a-Trance-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-Your-Rabbit-in-a-Trance-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Put-Your-Rabbit-in-a-Trance-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid139407-v4-728px-Put-Your-Rabbit-in-a-Trance-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"