picking up bunnies

Question
could you please tell me the proper way to pick a rabbit up so they dont kick and scratch you. i have been told by some to pick them up by the nape of their necks and i have been told to pick them up from under their stomachs. please help me so i dont hurt my rabbit thank you millie

Answer
Hi Millie,

well, I don't know how long you've had your rabbit, but if it's pretty new to you, I wouldn't try to pick her up much yet.  She does not have enough trust in you yet.  If you smell like other animals or wear heavy perfumes and such, they may not like being picked up as well.

I would never recommend picking up your rabbit by the scruff of the neck, regardless of what others say, it is not a pleasant way to be picked up.  It will not endear your rabbit to you and it will not want to be picked up by you.

There are a couple of good ways to pick them up.  I will point you to an excellent article because it also contains images of the holds and lifts they discuss.  It is here at the House Rabbit Society:

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-11/lift.html

Whichever method or methods you use, ALWAYS support their rear end with one hand, so that they don't kick their (very muscular) back legs and give themselves a back injury or worse, a broken back.

Lee