Putting bunnies on their back

[MyBabyHasPaws]

I have always done this when possible. Oreo has never let me put her on her back so I dont even try anymore. Bugsy is the complete opposite. I can lay him on his back, on his side, whatever way I put him he normally stays. A while back some lady at the pet store told me that I could harm my bun if I kept him on his back too long. Ever since that i have been really limiting holding Bugs on his back. I miss it though... is this true? Can I hurt him by holding him on his back?

Here's a pic of me and my Bugs

 

[ZRabbits]

I've never heard anything about trouble with bunnies staying too long on their backs. Now if you are forcing them and they are stressed, well I could see that. But if the bunny is comfortable, I don't see any harm with him chilling like that.

I've got Dobby to a point where he will just relax on his back while I trim nails. The others are getting the hang of it, but it's not their favorite position.

What a beautiful boy you have there.

K

 

[MyBabyHasPaws]

Thats what I thought, but cant help worry hearing someone "warn" me about it.

Bugsy will lay on his back and go to sleep! I'll sometimes roll him to his side (laying on top of me) so he can get more comfy, if I let him he can stay like that for a long time!

Thanks K

 

[woahlookitsme]

Definitely dont believe eveyrthing you hear about buns. As long as your buns are comfortable with it and you they will be fine.

I had a girl tell me that she gave her rabbits a bath once a week because rabbits dont groom themselves

 

[MyBabyHasPaws]

That poor bun lol.

 

[agnesthelion]

I put Agnes on her back on my lap between my legs for grooming reasons and to check her poo area to make sure all is clean down below. She doesn't struggle and just lays there. I wouldn't think that harms her at all.

And your bunny is precious!

 

[fuzz16]

my pidge wont let me put him on his back, he fights it and wont relax even burrito wrapped. he doesnt like being forced to stay still either

 

[slavetoabunny]

Snowball loves being cradles on her back, bus she is the only one that does.

 

[SynysterBunny]

I teach all my rescue bunnies to like this. My thing is a safety issue as well as a grooming thing. Cutting nails is SO much easier when a bunny is on their back! You only need one person when they are on their back! I want my bunnies to be able to relax in any position due to either a vet visit or an emergency where I would NEED them on their back. Besides, its SO cute! D: Especially when they go to sleep. How could it hurt them when they do it naturally inside the house? o-o My Syn bun sprawls out on her back in the sun. Hehe.

 

[wendymac]

Nestle will sleep for hours on his back, cradled in my arm. And my new Flop boy likes being upside down, too. Max HATES it. She'll tolerate being flipped (usually better when a pro--aka judge---does it) but she doesn't like it. I don't see why it would hurt them, though.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Ours don't get a choice--they all learn to tolerate it. Some took more effort while others like any attention. It does make life a lot easier when they are trained.

 

[MyBabyHasPaws]

How do I start training a bun that absolutely hates it. Oreo refuses and puts on the biggest show when you even try. :rollseyes

 

[fuzz16]

Feed them a banana while their on their backs lol