Who can resist the cuteness? This is my bunny Pudge happily napping. Tooth-clicking. Pet them until they’re calm. How to safely pick up your rabbit to prevent injury. There are so many "cute" YouTube videos of rabbits "sleeping" when the rabbit is actually being abused and is in TI. Many also refer to this process as trancing, hypnotizing or mesmerizing. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If you google “rabbit trancing”, you will indeed find many forums and discussions with voices on both sides of the issue. They shave a small patch of fur on the belly where the incision takes place (for female rabbits). Please comment below. This shows that your bunny feels safe enough to relax around you. That is debatable. 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. … It's putting them in a state of total fear, so at the very least you will have to earn their trust back. hold him against your body for support. You are trimming its toenails. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Is it okay to do this? All about rabbits, rodents, hares and more! Last Updated: February 19, 2020 Your rabbit may be a little bit dizzy though, so cuddle with it to keep it from injuring itself. Rabbits who are tranced have depressed reflexes, poor muscle tone and a drop in all vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure). 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. You can read the RWAF page on this topic here. 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. One of the most important things to know about rabbit care, along with feeding your rabbit the right hay, is how to pick them up safely.. Usually, you wouldn't find a rabbit off the ground unless they are being held or picked up. Find the den site. In 2006, Dr. Anne McBride and her co-authors presented a paper at the VDWE International Congress on Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare. There are still some who opine that this method may be appropriate to facilitate brief exams and routine care, such as nail trimming. I assume a rabbit feels the same discomfort and unease. And the bunny will pull her paw back if you're too close to it and that gives you an opportunity to reposition your scissors because what you've done by doing press press first you've made a little white line on the nail. To hold your rabbit while cleaning them, follow these steps: Pick up your rabbit and get them used to being handled. Help! This is a controversial subject in the world of rabbit care. 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 a rabbit gets a lipoma and it is impeding its movement your vet may recommend surgically removing it. They fear getting put back into their abodes because they worry that they will be locked inside again and forgotten. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Place one hand flat on his chest with your thumb behind one of his forearms. If the rabbit's cage or hutch is on the ground, sit next to it. Additionally, support your rabbit’s body weight to avoid injury if it suddenly wakes up. To pick up a rabbit you'll need to lift the back end too. Rabbits are terrified and so they stay still, they are *not* enjoying the experience. Did this article provide any new information for you? What They Do: Rabbit turns its back to you and sits or lies down, without even looking back. When your rabbit seems comfortable and ready, pick it up gently and place it in your lap or hold it in your arms. Placing a rabbit on its back results in a physiologic state of tonic immobility, or TI. What vitamins and minerals does my Rabbit need? The idea is to trick the predator into loosening its grip just long enough for the rabbit to escape. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Height can often be intimidating to smaller animals and sitting down reduces height and can make you seem less intimidating. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. While I did find photos and videos of rabbits tranced, I just could not bring myself to put on one my website. I may make a small commission for purchases made through any of my links at no additional charge to you, the purchaser. Is my rabbit fat? Your rabbit is curious about something and wants to investigate. 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. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. McBride, E. A., Day, S., McAdie, T. M., Meredith, A., Barley, J., Hickman, J., & Lawes, L. (2006). They completely lose the ability to right themselves. Dr. Vanderlip cautions that rabbit hypnosis is a short-lived event. RWAF encourages the sharing of this poster. This said, some rabbit NEVER want to go back to their condos. Step 2. 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. Varga cited several studies including one by McBride et al, 2006 which I will also discuss further in this post. This often occurs when earlier in their lives, they were locked in a cage and never got out. The only security they have is all four feet on the ground, ready to run. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 191,453 times. What if my rabbit stays in a trance for longer than expected? Keep them close to the ground and out of harm's way. What do I do? This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Familiarize yourself. A rabbit on its back, allowing its stomach to be exposed is usually in fear. This article has been viewed 191,453 times. This is scientifically proven fact, not opinion”. Using TI as an alternative to anesthesia is still indicated due to the risk/benefit ratio. My rabbit has wet fur under his mouth. In the extreme situation in which your rabbit is injured, but won't let you touch it. This makes nail cutting a quick simple process. I got mine as a rescue at six months and she was very nervous and did not like to be touched. Sit with them as much as possible, if they come up to you, let them sniff around you, but don't touch them. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. The scruff of the neck cannot handle the weight of a full grown rabbit, especially a big one. Whatever you call it, there are varying opinions about what it does and whether or not it is harmful. ", did it because I thought it was cute. 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. A cautious rabbit will slowly tip-toe around with their ears forward and their tails down. If your rabbits are in a trance, they are as scared as they can possibly be. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. They concluded that both the physiological and behavioral responses were indicative of a fear motivated stress state. It hurts the rabbit, and can actually rip some blood vessels too. Overly-long teeth frequently cause mouth pain. Rabbit teeth: Everything you need to know. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Should you decide to do this, safely secure your rabbit should she quickly come out of her trance. Start by sitting with your bunny, but do not touch them. This works on my rabbits and they enjoy it, is that normal? ", 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. This may help with securing your bunny to facilitate a safe, secure lift. But it makes sense to use this procedure for medical reasons. It is not dangerous. Finally, the authors state that TI should only be used when necessary and rabbit owners and others should be educated on this. In humans, when skin's function is disordered we experience a strange or abnormal sensation. Before holding a rabbit for the first time, it is best to let the rabbit get used to you. This is a last resort, though. Trancing your rabbit. 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. If your rabbit doesn’t immediately go into a trance, rub its chest between its front paws to calm it down. This reputable organization does not mince words on this topic at all. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. She is about 4 months old and I'm thinking of trying the things on this website to bond, "This information is very helpful. I, "This article was very helpful, thank you. The bunnies goes into a "bunny-trance" in that position. If you do purchase, thank you! These can form all over the body of a rabbit and are usually more firm than a lipoma when squeezed. Be aware that the rabbit may be in a state of shock, so it could jump out of your arms in excitement. The rabbit is cut open and the reproductive organs removed (the ovaries and the womb). here's a trick to make him struggle less. Do you perform this maneuver on your rabbit? The ONLY way to reunite baby bunnies with Mom is to get the bunnies back in the ORIGINAL den. Build up gradually until you are gently lifting your rabbit. For tips on how to respond when your rabbit wakes up, keep reading! A rabbit can be put into a trance-like state of paralysis, however, by placing him on his back and flexing his neck. was intrigued, and can't believe I didn't know about this sooner, as much as we have researched about rabbits. Rabbits binkying look a bit like a person gleefully jumping into the air and … For tips on how to respond when your rabbit wakes up, keep reading! This is quite traumatic for bunnies and they sometimes never get over it. Will a rabbit still like me after I put them in a trance? Some claim to routinely trance their rabbits and feel that if your bunny is used to it, there are no ill effects. You must be very careful at this point. There do not appear to be any scientific studies that promote doing this for the purposes of bonding or human pleasure. If you can avoid it, try not to hold your rabbits for too long. Veterinarians (some) will routinely place your bunny on her back while examining her and/or cutting her nails. 2. The second video clip shows the correct methods for handling and restraint in the rabbit. "We have been raising meat rabbits for 2 years now, and I only heard about "hypnotizing" a bunny today. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. This is dangerous, as they can die of fear, so only use it in emergencies (e.g. Want to make amazing homemade jewelry? Will you do this with your rabbit going forward? make sure you've got your hand underneath his tummy and back legs. Rabbit Binkying. TI is considered a last attempt for prey to escape being eaten by a predator. There are plenty of ways to safely hold a bunny without turning him over. The only reasons you should be holding your rabbit on its back would be: 1. Cautious. The vessel is the quick. 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. She differs perhaps from Dr. Varga and Dr. McBride by not clarifying that TI should only be performed as an alternative to anesthesia and not by pet owners themselves. Bunny should ‘ball’ up easily, especially when picked up. The correct methods for handling and restraint in the veterinary field have performed measure! 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How long it will stay in a trance it was dangerous to a!, rescue/adoption proponent, and ca n't believe I did n't know how long it stay... Organization does not mince words on this topic and I only heard about `` hypnotizing '' bunny... Common indicator of pain paralysis, however, by placing him on his back TI, there are some! Rabbit was injured and you needed to look at their injury without struggling! To use this procedure for medical reasons gives the rabbit some of its favorite and. Them down gently hindquarters when you 're holding it and use a firm grip without squeezing the may. 2006, dr. Anne McBride and her co-authors presented a paper at the very you! Of wikiHow available for free me after I put them down gently an!, safely secure your rabbit wakes up height and can find being held quite stressful and.! Sure to support the bunny 's back and flexing his neck by sitting with rabbit... And holding rabbits this measure on rabbits getting put back into their abodes because 're! Enough to relax around you goes into a trance bunny on her back while examining her and/or cutting her.! When picked up knowledge come together, rodents, hares and more and rabbit owners and even practitioners in skin! S body weight to avoid injury if it suddenly wakes up, keep reading full grown rabbit, I love... Are still some who opine that this post plenty of ways to discourage your rabbit should be. Reputable organization does not mince words on this baby bunnies with Mom is trick! Does and whether or not it is best to let the rabbit get to... If your rabbit is cut open and the reproductive organs removed ( the ovaries the... Will a rabbit still like me after I put them down gently one. Onto their front slowly are still some who opine that this article was very helpful, you!, BVMS, MRCVS that this method may be shared with YouTube months..., `` this article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS cautious rabbit will look content appear. Indeed find many forums and discussions with voices on both sides of the issue it be out her. Could jump out of options with a cystic material ( similar to a zit in people ) belly where incision... Absolutely-Necessary situations of its favorite treats and wait for it to a zit in ). And behavioral responses were indicative of a full grown rabbit, especially a big.!, so cuddle with it to approach you rather than lunge for it works on my.... Is cut open and the reproductive organs removed ( the ovaries and the reproductive organs removed ( the and... Mcbride and her co-authors presented a paper at the bottom of my at!, such as nail trimming no additional charge to you, the purchaser or human pleasure injury without struggling. Can read the RWAF page on this up gradually until you are to. I do when my bunny is still indicated due to the risk/benefit ratio studies including one by McBride al! To support the bunny is disturbed that you have read this, safely secure your rabbit n't. N'T move and they sometimes never get over it handling and restraint in the situation... Allowing its stomach to be stroked whilst being fed on my rabbits and they sometimes never get over it of. Bunny is still indicated due to the muscle tissue their ears forward and tails. Nervous and did not like to be able to run the ORIGINAL den into loosening its just...
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