My bunny is wont let me hold him!!!!!?

Question

my bunny is 3 months old he is cute and all that but whenever i try to pick him up he scratches me or bites i let him out for about 3 hours a day on the grass and my cat watches him(they both get along really well)and i work on picking him up and holding him he is getting better but what should i do when he scratches and bites me. i feel like im punishing him because he is in his small cage alot everyday and he only gets out for 3 hours. what should i do??!!??

Answer 1

my male bunny is the same and I pick him up with a towel and wrap him in it that way I can hold him after doing this for a while he'll get used to you holding him

Answer 2

At least you let it out, some people never let them out, so im happy he at least gets 3 hours.

I think it's natural for them to do that unless you've had them since they were a baby and brought them up by hand. I don't think declawing is an option..maybe hold him in a towel every 20 minutes, for only a minute or so, that way he knows he's not getting in trouble or hurt, but just being held. Soon he will learn that it's safe to be picked up.

Answer 3

My only thought - Wear gloves?

Answer 4

That's normal. Rabbits do not like being held. They are prey animals and prefer to keep their feet on the ground.

http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/r...

Answer 5

My bunny the same, shes cute and small but once you hold her she is like agressive and just jumps out! If you just got it then it might not be use to you holding it. So maybe keep her in the room and let her run around and maybe wear a coat when you hold him, it will take a while for him to learn how you hold him and get use to you. Maybe let him smell you and get use to your scent well good luck!!

Answer 6

How can your bunny scratch or bite you if you're holding him properly?

One hand first, under the tummy. Lift him up so he's standing on his feets. Put your other hand under his bum and lift him, so that your hands form a sort of chair for the bunny. While carrying, one hand holds him around the tummy just under his arms, and the other hand holds his bum.

If he's very aggressive, then instead of grabbing him, approach him with food he likes (carrot, or pellets). He will likely not want to turn that down, and will eat it right out of your hand. Pet him as he eats the treat. This might calm him down enough to carry him.

As a last resort, put your hands under a towel, and pick him up that way. Once you've got him in your hands, wrap the towel around bunny and carry him carefully like that. Pet him on the fur where he's exposed. This calms the bunny.

I'm lucky enough to have a really really friendly bunny, who doesn't get scared. He has never bitten me in anger or aggression, the only time he ever bites me is play-biting or by accident when he's chomping on my clothes (I let him do that if I'm wearing old house-clothes, I donno if you'd be comfortable letting your bunny chew on your pants).

And lastly, remember, if your bunny is trying to get away and hide... let him. He's not in the mood. Sometimes if you're trying to force a bunny out of his hiding place, he will hiss at you (it's rare, I've only heard my bunny do it once) and that means he's trying to defend what he perceives as his home. Sometimes bunnies do want to be left alone.

Answer 7

Males are more aggressive then females. Sometimes after males are neutered, they let you hold them and stuff. Or he might be feeling territorial. You will know if he thumps his feet.