Holding your rabbit:

Just like holding a human baby or any living thing, you have to be careful, you would or should never want to drop it or hurt them, neither make them scared. Sometimes when you quickly pick up a rabbit, he may scrach or bite you, do not blame it on the rabbit, he is simply defending himself, he maybe scared or uncomfortable, that could be the reason he is scraching or biting you. There are many safe ways to pick up a rabbit, you can use the one that is most comfortable to you and your rabbit.

The football hold:

This is the proper football hold, you tuck the rabbits hesd under your arm, and support his rump with your other hand. Holding him like this helps him feel safe and secure. This way he is less likely to scarch or bite you.


Another good way to hold you rabbit is like this:



This is the way we hold our rabbits during showmanship practice, you may have to hold the bigger breed rabbits like this (I have to) instead of at your side.

Here is how most people hold their rabbits:




This is a good hold, but the rabbit does not fell as safe this way, this is how people get bitten or scrached easier is by this hold.

* Please do not grab a rabbit by its ears alone, rabbits are really fragile, if the rabbit struggles he may break his back. Catching a rabbit by the ears is okay, but, gentily lift the rabbit off of the ground, and support his rump with the other hand. Picking up a rabbit by the scruff of the neck is a good hold, but can ruin meat quality over time. (not wanted in the show ring)*