What's wrong with my rabbit?!?!?

Question

I recently rescued a 3 1/2 month-4 month old Lionhead rabbit on Sat. (10-24-09). When her owners handed her to me, she was very sweet and laid-back. She allowed them to pick her up and hand her over to me so that I could hold her for a long time. However, as each day goes by, she now hates being picked up and held. She always tries to scratch and get away. Last night, I tried picking her up and petting her once she stopped, but she doesn't stop trying to get away for long. After a couple of seconds, and she's trying to get away. So anyways, ever since I had her, I let her out of her big cage into her playpen for about an hour in the morning and a couple of hours at night which she loves (she binkies alot and races around, and loves playing with her toys). Whenever I get the chance, I get in the playpen with her and play and talk to her; and give her one of her favorite treats whenever she sees me. Even after all that, she still scrambles to get away whenever someone tries to hold her. Any advice as to what I can do to get her to like being held by people again would be greatly appreciated, and the time length (hours, days, weeks, months?) required to do each step if listed in steps. Thanks!

Here's what she's living, and playing in----which I bought the very next day after I rescued her. 
http://www.petsmart.com/product/zoom/index.jsp?productId=3074861
She has plenty of toys, and a litter tray in the bottom far left corner which she has been using. 

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2751767&lmdn=Pet+Type
This is her playpen that is hooked up to her cage; and I bought the little mat to go underneath the playpen.  She has plenty of toys in that too---she's a pretty happy bunny. She loves my dog, and people coming up to her; but, just doesn't like to be held any more. :(

? · Accepted Answer

ok she misses her owners so give her tme to adjust but this is what u have to do 
step 1 get in with her in her play area


step 2 let her come to u


step 3  give here a carrot or lettuce when she is by u


step 4 continue doing this


this will take a week or two til she trust u to pick her up

Anna · Answer

I KNOW what it is:....

Every time you try to pet or hold the rabbit ?

this makes the rabbit think of the old place she lived; she associates you handling her with this:

Your Rabbit is afraid you will pick her up and bring her back to where you got her from and your rabbit likes your place soooo much better;

so the Rabbit fears you will bring her to her old place; which I know you will not do; cage looks great; make sure your Rabbit gets top quality pellets in a bowl; and give her Greens and carrots; u can get free greens from produce dept.

Summary: Your Rabbit likes you and her new home sooo much; she is afraid you don't like her;
so she stays protected because she wants to stay with your forever as your special rabbit;sooo

Assure the Rabbit with words; she can stay @ ! !

ps you may want to watch her water intake; if she is not drinking plenty of water; give her a "Rabbit MultiVitamin Mineral supplement in her water; u buy the vitmains from pet store; 1 drop in water;

Rabbits do not like to be held such as a cat; and
Rabbits do not like heat; prefer a cool living space; I think your'e doing great; give her time !@

Anonymous · Answer

Is there ANY possibility that your rabbit might be pregnant? I know when my rabbit and guineapig were pregnant they stopped being sociable and scrambled whenever I tried to pick them up.

Maybe she is a little tender in her belly area? 

Try sitting in her playpen with her most favourite treat and see if she will jump into your lap while holding it there for her. Other than that, I have no idea.

Morning Star · Answer

I had a lion head rabbit that hated being held.  I don't know if it was the rabbit breed or it was from a breeder that never held it.  Animals have to get used to people at a young age.  Just be careful not to startle her and keep holding her as often as possible.

Anonymous · Answer

I used to have a rbbit too, if your that worried then you could take her to a vet, maybe shes feeling alittle sick, but you just got her so she probly isnt used to you scent, it doesnt mean she hates you or is scared of you, just let her get usd to you, wear gloves if you have to. Maybe offer her a treat, or troke her and prevent picking her up, just until she gets used to your scent. Hope i helped :)

Trending News

What's wrong with my rabbit?!?!?

5 Answers