There are so many "cute" YouTube videos of rabbits "sleeping" when the rabbit is actually being abused and is in TI. There are still some who opine that this method may be appropriate to facilitate brief exams and routine care, such as nail trimming. One of the most important things to know about rabbit care, along with feeding your rabbit the right hay, is how to pick them up safely.. Usually, you wouldn't find a rabbit off the ground unless they are being held or picked up. [1] X Research source Get comfortable. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Textbook of Rabbit Medicine, Second Edition. Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward me a small…. What They Do: Rabbit turns its back to you and sits or lies down, without even looking back. Many also refer to this process as trancing, hypnotizing or mesmerizing. You can ask the poster of the video or tell him to remove the video, but first ask the poster of the video if the rabbit was being abused. I would consider euthanasia only as a last resort, if all attempts to treat the condition have failed, leaving the bunny in misery, unwilling to eat, drink or act normally at all. Many rabbits will resist a butt wash, especially if it involves a bath. This may help with securing your bunny to facilitate a safe, secure lift. The second video clip shows the correct methods for handling and restraint in the rabbit. They’ll probably pause a lot to look and listen, or they might stretch out as far as they can with their back feet staying in the same place. Will a rabbit still like me after I put them in a trance? It is not dangerous. 23 ways to discourage your rabbit from digging up your carpet. here's a trick to make him struggle less. A rabbit can be put into a trance-like state of paralysis, however, by placing him on his back and flexing his neck. This article has been viewed 191,453 times. Overly-long teeth frequently cause mouth pain. RWAF encourages the sharing of this poster. Keeping a rabbit outdoors cuts his average life span in half.Outdoor rabbits face extremes of heat and cold, risk of illness and predators.Wherever you live, there are wild animals who want to eat your bunny - and even if they don't get inside his hutch, a rabbit can have a heart attack just from seeing a predator outside his cage. I decided to research this topic and I would like to share with you what I learned. And this is Pudge, the inspiration behind it all. TI is considered a last attempt for prey to escape being eaten by a predator. That’s just the beauty of affiliate marketing! Start stroking her forehead, then cheeks, this is where rabbits feel safest being stroked. Is it okay to do this? Cautious. Please visit our bunny gallery to see the visual difference between bunnies that are old enough to be on their own, and bunnies that still need Mom’s help. The only security they have is all four feet on the ground, ready to run. When I first got my little 2-pound bunny Pudge, I would occasionally hold him in my arms on his back. Do you perform this maneuver on your rabbit? and yes, bunnies will struggle to free themselves from your grip because they're scared. I, "This article was very helpful, thank you. Sit with them as much as possible, if they come up to you, let them sniff around you, but don't touch them. Rabbits are very inquisitive, so be patient! was intrigued, and can't believe I didn't know about this sooner, as much as we have researched about rabbits. This is a long-known phenomenon in the wild. You are trying to see if there's a problem with your rabbit. When your rabbit seems comfortable and ready, pick it up gently and place it in your lap or hold it in your arms. Find the den site. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Dr. Vanderlip instructs her readers how to mesmerize their bunny and describes the “slow, deep breathing” that will occur in a “couple of minutes.” She provides this instruction for the purpose of examining your rabbit’s underside, genitals, cheeks, and teeth. Rabbits binkying look a bit like a person gleefully jumping into the air and … So, Now that you have read this, I would love to hear your stories. He is not in a trance. The rabbit will look content and appear to be totally relaxed. Did this article provide any new information for you? The ONLY way to reunite baby bunnies with Mom is to get the bunnies back in the ORIGINAL den. Thanks for reading! Rabbit teeth: Everything you need to know. Sitting with weight on bottom, washing face with front feet, pulling ears down to lick them, twisting around to groom back and sides No prizes for this one - your rabbit is grooming itself. Start by sitting with your bunny, but do not touch them. It is understandably something that would seem to promote bonding. Even a rabbit with a head tilt can live a happy, comfortable life as long as there is no pain, and the bunny enjoys eating, drinking, and being loved. A bunny on its back or side, with its legs out and tummy exposed, is very vulnerable, so if your rabbit does this around you it means that they trust you wholeheartedly. A normal rabbit lift is to put one hand under the front paws, on the chest, and then scoop up the back end with your other hand, bringing the bunny close to your body to keep her there securely, until you can put her back down. They prefer to be able to run free and play on the ground and can find being held quite stressful. Placing a rabbit on its back results in a physiologic state of tonic immobility, or TI. In 1839, Charles Darwin termed this the “death feint” – a play-dead tactic used as a last-ditch attempt to survive. Then, bandage or groom your rabbit quickly, since you don't know how long it will stay in a trance. The scruff of the neck cannot handle the weight of a full grown rabbit, especially a big one. A rabbit on its back, allowing its stomach to be exposed is usually in fear. In humans, when skin's function is disordered we experience a strange or abnormal sensation. % of people told us that this article helped them. This is dangerous, as they can die of fear, so only use it in emergencies (e.g. What do I do? Is my rabbit fat? If you can avoid it, try not to hold your rabbits for too long. You are trimming its toenails. Don't rush. Always use both hands when lifting and holding rabbits. She is about 4 months old and I'm thinking of trying the things on this website to bond, "This information is very helpful. It's putting them in a state of total fear, so at the very least you will have to earn their trust back. I had a lot of questions that have now been answered.". This shows that your bunny feels safe enough to relax around you. start by laying it on its back on your lap with its rump higher than its head. What do I do when my bunny is still breathing but can't move? These included flattened ears, widened eyes, increased muscle tension, and overt struggling. Trancing is actually tonic immobilization, which is basically where they are at maximum fear levels and are trying to appear dead as a last ditch survival effort. Your rabbit is curious about something and wants to investigate. "We have been raising meat rabbits for 2 years now, and I only heard about "hypnotizing" a bunny today. Rabbits who have been repeatedly hypnotized have been shown in studies to have raised corticosteroid levels and fear behaviors, supporting the fact that the immobility response is indeed induced by fear and stress. Using TI as an alternative to anesthesia is still indicated due to the risk/benefit ratio. Do Rabbits go into heat? There do not appear to be any scientific studies that promote doing this for the purposes of bonding or human pleasure. Is it bad to put your rabbit on its back? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is a controversial subject in the world of rabbit care. To pick up a rabbit you'll need to lift the back end too. I got mine as a rescue at six months and she was very nervous and did not like to be touched. I can't report every single one of them. Leaning back with its nose buried in its bottom, then sitting upright again and chewing This potentially dangerous maneuver should be reserved for absolutely-necessary situations. Putting your rabbit on its back and watching it seemingly completely relax is often called “trancing” or “hypnotizing” your rabbit, but it’s actually "Tonic Immobility" or "TI,” considered to be a fear motivated defense mechanism. The vessel is the quick. It can be very useful for checking the rabbit for injuries or wounds if it won’t allow you to examine its body any other way, but think carefully before using it as a way to easily groom your rabbit, as some owners do. If you google “rabbit trancing”, you will indeed find many forums and discussions with voices on both sides of the issue. If your rabbits are in a trance, they are as scared as they can possibly be. Be aware that the rabbit may be in a state of shock, so it could jump out of your arms in excitement. 2. Tooth-clicking. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. … It will not move for a while; and will not kick while you cut. If the rabbit needs to be handled (for example to clip its nails, see to an injury, or to be taken to the vet) and is struggling enough to hurt itself, this is a way of keeping it still without drugging it. In their study, the rabbits exhibited fear behaviors during TI. Whatever you call it, there are varying opinions about what it does and whether or not it is harmful. Yea. Keep them held in a secure grip and put them down gently. After TI, there was an increased frequency in hiding and grooming coupled with a decrease in exploration. Next, offer the rabbit some of its favorite treats and wait for it to approach you rather than lunge for it. Build up gradually until you are gently lifting your rabbit. Dr. Varga cited several studies including one by McBride et al, 2006 which I will also discuss further in this post. Bunny care giver on December 03, 2008: It is better to turn the bunny upside down, lying on its back on your arm, and use the other hand to cut the nails. For an amateur bunny owner, the risks associated with flipping your pet on his back often outweighs the potential gain. Additionally, support your rabbit’s body weight to avoid injury if it suddenly wakes up. For tips on how to respond when your rabbit wakes up, keep reading! It may stop eating a favorite food, have trouble chewing and swallowing, show changes in feces production, or simply not eat anymore.