One frequently asked question on the rabbit forums is this:
- How can I handle my rabbits without being scratched?
- What is a good way to handle rabbits for trimming nails and other tasks?
- How can I handle a problem rabbit?
There’s a simple trick that works for handling skittish rabbits or for things like securing rabbits for health and hygiene tasks. It’s often called the “rabbit burrito” or papoosing the rabbit. There are probably other names people have for this method, too!
Jump to:
- Safety and Security for Rabbit Handlers (You and Your Guests!)
- Safety and Security for Your Rabbits!
- How to Papoose Meat Rabbits for More Secure Handling and Holding
- VIDEO: How To Safely Handle Rabbits When They’re Skittish -- Or When You Are!
- Good Times to Papoose Your Meat Rabbits
- Tips for Making Rabbits Less Scared in Handling
- Keep Old Towels on Hand for Easier Meat Rabbit Handling
Safety and Security for Rabbit Handlers (You and Your Guests!)
This method is helpful to prevent scratches, cuts, and biting* for you and others when you’re handling your rabbits.
This is a good method to use when you have inexperienced rabbits, new rabbits without a lot of handling experience, or a doe that changes her personality temporarily surrounding breeding or kindling.
*Rabbits that are a known and ongoing problem should be a serious consideration for the cull list. The sooner the better. Scratching is par for the course, but biting is bad behavior.
Safety and Security for Your Rabbits!
Safer handling of your rabbits for you is safer for your rabbits, too.
When we get scratched or bitten by rabbits, our reflex is to react. The reflex of visitors and children holding your rabbits is to react, too.
Often, it is when we react that we are most likely to drop, lose grip, or mishandle our rabbits.
So anything that we can do to build our own confidence, and/or to make guests and visitors feel confident in handling our rabbits, reduces the likelihood of accidents or injuries happening -- to you or your rabbits!
How to Papoose Meat Rabbits for More Secure Handling and Holding
The best way to handle rabbits that either you are uncomfortable with or that are reactive is to papoose or “burrito” the bunny. Simply put, wrap the rabbit in a towel, gathering up their legs.
- Gently lay the towel over the back of the rabbit. Run it lengthwise across and over the back.
- Gently but firmly scruff through the towel and just put a firm hand holding the scruff of the neck.
- Scoop under the rabbit with your free hand and pick the rabbit up to you.
- If you only lift from underneath without scruffing, the rabbit is likely to jump up and out and be nervous.
- A hand on the top of the back of the neck is calming and will not cause the rabbit to overreact. Being picked up from the belly up is not natural for rabbits. This will make them overreact.
- Wrap the flaps of the towel around and under the rabbit. Place one end around the rabbit first, and then overlap with the second side.
- Adjust as needed. Envelope all four feet in the towel.
- Hold the rabbit close to your body or on your lap as you work and move it so that it feels supported and secure.
- The overlap should be over the rabbit’s belly so that you can maneuver one foot or body part out as needed.
- If the rabbit is skittish, you can cover its eyes, which will make it feel like it is hidden; this will be calming to the rabbit.
- If biting is a problem, cover the rabbit’s head. Take care not to smother the animal or to put pressure on its neck as you do.
Secured in its wrap, even the most skittish rabbit will be manageable -- calm, even. And you can use the wrap to protect you, too.
VIDEO: How To Safely Handle Rabbits When They’re Skittish -- Or When You Are!
Good Times to Papoose Your Meat Rabbits
This is a good method to employ when you need to perform routine health and hygiene tasks, or any time when rabbits are scared and need handling. Some good times to use this trick include
- Clipping nails -- handy because you can take out just one foot at a time and also shield their eyes if necessary
- Trimming away matted areas of fur
- Treating cuts or sores
- Applying ointments or medications
- Syringe feeding sick rabbits
- Administering oral treatments or medications
- Giving injections
- Palpating does
- Inspecting rabbits
- Securing rabbits for small children to hold without them getting scratched or scared
- Helping a skittish rabbit feel more secure
- Weighing rabbits that have flight tendencies (covering the face, and they will hide instead of trying to run away)
Tips for Making Rabbits Less Scared in Handling
- Work from the top down, not the bottom up
- Take your time and allow the rabbit moments to calm between movements
- Avoid loud voices and loud noises when handling rabbits
- If their legs are secured, the rabbit won’t attempt to jump or run away
- Covering a scared rabbit’s eyes will almost instantly stop it from reacting
- Rabbits don’t like feeling like they are flying through the air, or that their feet are not on the ground when their undersides are supported
- Keep the rabbit close to your body or on your lap as much as you can
Keep Old Towels on Hand for Easier Meat Rabbit Handling
When your bathroom towels are getting worn or ripped, keep the cast-offs for use in the rabbit room. It’s worth always having a few towels on hand in the rabbit barn.
Keeping different sizes helps, too!
It helps to keep a couple of different-sized towels. Full-sized towels are the perfect size for handling adult meat rabbits.
Hand towels are the ideal size for wrapping young kits and grow outs -- perfect for when inexperienced youngsters are begging to hold a baby rabbit!
You’ll find this a simple yet useful hack to have in your pocket. This one simple thing can make a big difference in both your comfort and safety and the comfort and safety of the meat rabbits you (or others) are handling.
Use it any time you are unsure or nervous about handling your rabbits. In time, confidence in handling a hack like this will help you grow more confident handling them without towels and aids, too.
Leave a Reply