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          The Town of Imagination for Rabbits 

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How to Pick Up and Hold a Rabbit (Safely and Calmly)

⚠️ Never pick up a rabbit by its ears, scruff, or the back of its neck. This is painful and dangerous and can cause serious injury.

 Basic Handling Position (For Right-Handed People)

Left-handed? Just reverse the sides.

1. Position Yourself Low

  • Crouch or kneel close to the ground before approaching the rabbit. This reduces the chance of injury if they jump or struggle.

2. Support the Bunny’s Body

  • Place your right hand under the rabbit’s chest/stomach, lifting just enough to raise the front paws.

  • Use your left hand to support their bottom/back legs.

3. Lift Gently and Swiftly

  • Smoothly bring the bunny from your right side toward your left shoulder.

  • The rabbit should end up nestled against your body, with its head facing forward on your right side.

4. Secure the Bunny Against Your Body

  • Once stable, use your left arm to support their body weight.

  • Your right hand can pet them or gently cover their eyes to calm them.

 Tips for Handling and Safety

  • Be quick but gentle. Rabbits may try to hop away if you hesitate too long.

  • If the rabbit starts to struggle, drop to the ground with them rather than trying to restrain them mid-air. This helps prevent injury from falls.

  • Never stand up with an unsecured rabbit — if they fall from your arms, they can break bones.

Various Techniques

1. Bunny Wrap

  • Place the bunny on a baby blanket.

  • Gently wrap the bunny and then lift, supporting both front and back.

2. Top-Opening Carrier

  • Let the bunny hop or be gently placed into a top-opening carrier. You can guide them in calmly.

3. Standard (With or Without Blanket)

  • If confident, you can pick up the rabbit directly using the standard approach without a blanket.

Real-Life Handling Tips

  • Rabbits may try to hop away — it’s normal! With time, you'll learn where they tend to go.

Here are ways to make this easier:

  1. Cover their eyes: This calms them and stops hopping.

  2. Block their escape path: Use a Willow Tent or other objects from their living area.

  3. Open their carrier: If you know where they’re headed, let them go in on their own.

  4. Calmly retrieve: If they hide, place one hand gently over their head and use the other to remove the obstacle.

  5. Stay calm: Rabbits can sense fear or tension — a calm human helps calm the rabbit.

  Putting the Bunny Down

  • Always place bottom first, bringing them close to the ground before letting them go.

  • Rabbits have delicate front legs — avoid putting pressure on them or letting them land on front paws first.