No you should never hold your rabbit like a baby. It's a very unnatural position for your fur baby. While it may be tempting to hold your rabbit like a baby, it's not recommended to do so as rabbits are delicate animals and can easily become injured or stressed.
Wild cottontail baby bunnies are extremely sensitive and may die if handled. Cottontail bunnies, especially babies, will die suddenly and unexpectedly if they believe their life is in danger. They may actually seem fine one minute and then a short time later will be found dead.
Hold rabbits gently but firmly - ensure one hand supports their back and hindquarters at all times. Help them feel secure by holding all four feet against your body. Never pick rabbits up by their ears - this would be extremely stressful and is highly likely to injure them.
If you touch a baby rabbit, its mother will not usually abandon it. Rabbits are excellent moms. All they want is their baby back. If you feel the nest is in a spot where you can't possibly leave the babies until they're big enough to leave on their own, contact a wildlife rehabilitator for advice.
Many rabbits who shy away from petting will allow their ears to be stroked, so this may be a good place to build up trust. These strokes are particularly helpful when you have a very sick bunn.
Rabbits can be infected with tularemia, which may be transmitted to people if they eat undercooked, infected meat or handle a sick animal. Although it's always best not to handle any wild animal, wear gloves if you must handle a wild rabbit and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
That said, they tend not to like being touched on the ears, neck, feet, stomach or tail. Usually, my bunnies are most receptive to petting when they're relaxing after a meal. So if your rabbit doesn't appear interested in affection, wait until just after feeding time.
There may be a rare situation where it is necessary to restrain a jumpy or aggressive rabbit by the scruff to avoid injury. However, it is important to remember that holding a rabbit by the scruff can be stressful and so should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
Its natural to want to hug and kiss a cute, cuddly bunny. If you are not pregnant or immunocompromised, don't worry too much about catching anything from your rabbit by giving him a quick kiss. Your rabbit's fur or the hay he ate for breakfast is more likely to trigger allergies than you are to get a germ of concern.
You should avoid leaving a rabbit alone for more than 24 hours. This is because rabbits can get sick suddenly and require immediate medical attention. Conditions such as GI Stasis are very common, so you should always have someone checking in on your rabbit daily even if you are only away for the weekend.
No, a mother rabbit will not abandon her babies because you touched them. While it is advisable to handle them as little as possible, and to wear gloves while doing so, you can rest assured that mom will return to care for her little ones if she is able.
Rabbits are prey animals and can become easily spooked and scared. They don't really like to be picked up and handled too often, even by humans that they like!
On the other hand, when rabbits kick while being held, they are trying to communicate that they feel insecure. To feel secure when being handled, rabbits need to be positioned with their hind feet squarely underneath them.
Many rabbits hate being held and will actually freeze with fear. Our advise would be that it is always better to get down to your bunnies level and have a cuddle. You can get just as much enjoyment out of cuddling your bunny by getting down to their level. Lay or sit next to them and interact with them that way.
The best way to gain your rabbits' trust is by simply spending lots of time being near them, while allowing your bunnies to approach you in their own time.
If they are sitting upright and their front paws are 'boxing' at you, they are likely very unhappy. Vocalising. Rabbits don't tend to make much noise and when they do it's a sign they're feeling very threatened. You may hear them grunting or growling and in extreme cases, they can scream.
While it's true that some rabbits hate being touched, I have found that these rabbits are in the minority. Pet rabbits who have been socialized with people from a young age will typically grow to love being petted. For most rabbits, petting is a pleasant sensation.
Protect Yourself And Your Pet
Although many rabbit bites are defensive, some rabbits may bite aggressively for a variety of reasons. Rabbit bites can be painful and serious. If a bite bleeds excessively, shows symptoms of infection, or concerns you in any way, it's best to seek medical attention.
The entire body has nerve endings that are sensitive to touch. Rabbits enjoy being petted, but it is important to move slowly. Remember, they can't see very well up close. Never approach a rabbit from the back, as this is reminiscent of being attacked by a predator.