Bunny no longer wants to be held

[Bunnie lover]

I’ve had my bunny since she was born she’s now a year old. I know that in general bunny’s don’t like to be picked up but mine has never had a problem with it. As of lately she starts grunting when we take her out of her cage or anything. This is very unusual behavior for her she’s not spayed but is hardly aggressive. But I’m concerned because she’s never made those sounds before and is always in our laps .. just wonder if anyone has experienced this ?

 

[Mehidk]

Their temperaments can change when they get older. With babies, it is easier to hold them, do stuff with them, but when they're older, that's when the personalities really shine through. Some people get lucky and have a cuddly rabbit who wants to be held, but some don't. With my rabbit, I can hold her for about a minute before she realizes that enough is enough. The grunting is to let you know she is not approving of what's happening (in your case, being picked up). Maybe you can train her with treats. When you are done with holding her, give her a treat that way she can associate that being picked up is a good thing. It may not work for everyone and you may just end up with a rabbit who doesn't enjoy being picked up anymore. For my rabbit, she can sit on my lap, loves to be petted, but will only let me hold her for a minute before I need to put her back down. I eventually learned to accept it lol.

 

[Hermelin]

She can also have spring feelings, which can make her act out more. Specially when she’s not spayed, the hormones can play with her

But I would recommend to train her again or if it caused by hormones playing with her. Wait until the hormones calm down again

 

[Binky4eva]

My Kahlua grunts and moans when he doesn't get his way the whole time. He doesn't mind getting picked up for a moment....but if he is not put down somewhere nice and something nice done for him immediately he with grunt and nibble and pad with his paws to be out of there asap. Has to be on his terms and in his time. He will let me pick him up if he knows it is me and he is coming to snuggle on my chest on the bed for a while before sleep, but....as soon as he has had enough snuggling he has to be out of there. I have to take him back out. Nibbles at my top, wakes me up. His free roam area is the large hallway.
I think no rabbit likes being picked up, but some get more used to it. He is more used to being transported around than my other four. Cointreau who I am trying to bond with him, is learning, but still not used to being 'shuttled around' lol.

 

[Hermelin]

I think no rabbit likes being picked up, but some get more used to it. He is more used to being transported around than my other four.

I would say I have 2 bunnies that like being picked up, one will fall asleep while the other willingly will jump up to my arms or other people.

So a bunny can really like being held, they aren’t my first liking to be picked up. While my bossy queen will just tolerate being picked up. I know when she was hormonal, there was no chance picking her up or trying to be bossy near her. She would bite and grunt, turning out to a grumpy queen with a short fuse

 

[Cloverhouse]

Female rabbits are aggressively geared towards baby making. Generally, an unspayed female isn't happy if she isn't making babies. That's been my experience. And in the Springtime it's at it's worst. Evolution has equipped them this way, and it's not something we can train out of them. Fixed bunnies are happier than unfixed bunnies that aren't busy making babies.

Nothing is ever going to change that reality. You aren't doing anything wrong and your bunny is just showing normal rabbit behavior.

 

[Binky4eva]

I would say I have 2 bunnies that like being picked up, one will fall asleep while the other willingly will jump up to my arms or other people.

So a bunny can really like being held, they aren’t my first liking to be picked up. While my bossy queen will just tolerate being picked up. I know when she was hormonal, there was no chance picking her up or trying to be bossy near her. She would bite and grunt, turning out to a grumpy queen with a short fuse

Wow. I have never met a bunny that likes having it's feet off the ground. I guess it is just a matter of them getting used to it and used to you.

I know the two of mine have with me over time, but I still wouldn't be able to say they "like being picked up" and ever jump into my arms.

Cool.

 

[Hermelin]

Wow. I have never met a bunny that likes having it's feet off the ground. I guess it is just a matter of them getting used to it and used to you.

I know the two of mine have with me over time, but I still wouldn't be able to say they "like being picked up" and ever jump into my arms.

Cool.

I had vets that was really surprised when my bunny refused staying on the table instead jumped up into their arms and snuggled in their arms. So they often carry him around if they fill paper or just cuddle with him while talking with me.

My bunnies are quite spoiled and are really used with me. But I can understand that some bunnies might not like being picked up. But I have never met a bunny that don’t tolerate being picked up yet. Maybe the next one I get will hate being picked up. I might just be lucky with mine ^^

 

[Binky4eva]

Actually, I must admit that does ring a bell. Both my beloved Thumpa who I lost a year ago at 11 and 1/4 and my (Prima Donna) Cointreau....both have jumped from the vet table onto my shoulders and arms when being examined as if to say "I am safe up here". They are also the only two that have ever mutually groomed me in return. My vet has been amazed at this and commented on it.

So in a way, it is a slight step towards what you are saying.....but not as advanced. Maybe there is hope for me with my Cointreau. She is only 1.

 

[Mehidk]

I had vets that was really surprised when my bunny refused staying on the table instead jumped up into their arms and snuggled in their arms. So they often carry him around if they fill paper or just cuddle with him while talking with me.

My bunnies are quite spoiled and are really used with me. But I can understand that some bunnies might not like being picked up. But I have never met a bunny that don’t tolerate being picked up yet. Maybe the next one I get will hate being picked up. I might just be lucky with mine ^^

Trixie is slowly getting adjusted to being picked up. I hope one day I can get a bit closer to being able to snuggle with her like the way you snuggle with the trio (I love calling them that hehe)!

 

[Bunnie lover]

She can also have spring feelings, which can make her act out more. Specially when she’s not spayed, the hormones can play with her

But I would recommend to train her again or if it caused by hormones playing with her. Wait until the hormones calm down again

Thanks so much this is helpful info I didn’t know about the seasons affecting her mood but now I do !

 

[bunnylove2024]

yep, it's probably just the seasons and if she has gone outside before she might just want to go back out and gets disappointed every time she doesn't. but if the temp outside is more than 20-degree difference from inside or where her cage is than just wait, it will be too much of a temperature change.