|
Post by Lynne on Mar 2, 2017 8:14:11 GMT -5
We've recently acquired a pet rabbit. He's about 2 years old. Unfortunately, he wasn't handled much as a baby so he doesn't like to be picked up. Can I get him acclimated to being picked up if I work with him or is it a lost cause?
|
|
|
Post by jen51 on Mar 4, 2017 20:55:14 GMT -5
I would say yes, but I wouldn't count on him being friendly or affectionate. We have a doe that wasn't handled much, and we have worked with her. She will tolerate being handled without scratching or biting, but she makes it quite clear that she does not enjoy it one bit. It really depends on their temperament. Some breeds are much more mild mannered than others.
|
|
|
Post by RitaMarita on Mar 5, 2017 15:30:36 GMT -5
We've recently acquired a pet rabbit. He's about 2 years old. Unfortunately, he wasn't handled much as a baby so he doesn't like to be picked up. Can I get him acclimated to being picked up if I work with him or is it a lost cause? It is definitely possible to get them used to being picked up when they are older. It just takes a lot more patience if you don't start when they are younger. It is sort of like disciplining children... It is a lot harder to discipline a child who has not been taught to respect authority from an early age. Hope it goes well!
|
|
|
Post by Voxxkowalski on Mar 5, 2017 17:04:20 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by annamack on Mar 9, 2017 15:24:53 GMT -5
We've recently acquired a pet rabbit. He's about 2 years old. Unfortunately, he wasn't handled much as a baby so he doesn't like to be picked up. Can I get him acclimated to being picked up if I work with him or is it a lost cause? I used to work for the RSPCA, so I had quite a lot to do with rabbits back in the day. They can learn, and they can be bribed with treats but, on the whole, they're not that in to being touched. The most important thing to know about rabbits is that they are essentially social animals that don't do well on their own. Get him a doe (spayed) and I think you'll find that you have a much happier bunny...
|
|
|
Post by Lynne on Mar 10, 2017 5:04:26 GMT -5
We've recently acquired a pet rabbit. He's about 2 years old. Unfortunately, he wasn't handled much as a baby so he doesn't like to be picked up. Can I get him acclimated to being picked up if I work with him or is it a lost cause? I used to work for the RSPCA, so I had quite a lot to do with rabbits back in the day. They can learn, and they can be bribed with treats but, on the whole, they're not that in to being touched. The most important thing to know about rabbits is that they are essentially social animals that don't do well on their own. Get him a doe (spayed) and I think you'll find that you have a much happier bunny... Thank you!
|
|
|
Post by annamack on Mar 10, 2017 5:59:21 GMT -5
You're welcome :-) I always felt terribly sorry for the rabbits because they're actually quite a specialised "pet", which most people don't realise. Worth doing some reading on them, because they can make quite fascinating companion animals and they're such fun to watch playing together. By the way, they're very easy to house train (because of their naturally neat habits), and they're much nicer to have in the house than cats. I would always recommend considering keeping house rabbits rather than sticking them outside in a hutch!
|
|
|
Post by Lynne on Mar 10, 2017 14:03:38 GMT -5
You're welcome :-) I always felt terribly sorry for the rabbits because they're actually quite a specialised "pet", which most people don't realise. Worth doing some reading on them, because they can make quite fascinating companion animals and they're such fun to watch playing together. By the way, they're very easy to house train (because of their naturally neat habits), and they're much nicer to have in the house than cats. I would always recommend considering keeping house rabbits rather than sticking them outside in a hutch! Oh yes! Our rabbit is currently in the dining room. I don't like keeping them outdoors. I would be worried about letting him run free in the house though, chewed wires, etc but we put up a pen in the kitchen so he can play.
|
|
|
Post by jen51 on Mar 10, 2017 23:10:33 GMT -5
After a couple years of raising rabbits, we've recently encountered our first run in with ear mites. We've been treating them every other day so it makes us handle them regularly. They're skiddishness has improved quickly.
|
|
|
Post by annamack on Mar 11, 2017 9:59:17 GMT -5
You're welcome :-) I always felt terribly sorry for the rabbits because they're actually quite a specialised "pet", which most people don't realise. Worth doing some reading on them, because they can make quite fascinating companion animals and they're such fun to watch playing together. By the way, they're very easy to house train (because of their naturally neat habits), and they're much nicer to have in the house than cats. I would always recommend considering keeping house rabbits rather than sticking them outside in a hutch! Oh yes! Our rabbit is currently in the dining room. I don't like keeping them outdoors. I would be worried about letting him run free in the house though, chewed wires, etc but we put up a pen in the kitchen so he can play. Ah, yes, you do tend to have to rabbit-proof your wires (lol). I'd love to have a couple of house rabbits, but I'm afraid that my very possessive dog wouldn't tolerate them!
|
|