Why doesn’t my rabbit like it when I lift it up?

Most rabbits do not like being carried or held. This is most likely due to the fact that they are ground dwelling prey animals and easily get stressed.

There are ways to try to get your rabbit used to being handled. Offer it treats and handle it during very short periods of time. For example, reward your rabbit if it stays put when you place your hand on its back. This is a very time consuming but also effective way to train a rabbit.

Rabbits can sometimes be difficult to handle at home but seem calm when they are handled by a vet or in a pet shop. The reason they are still at the vets is because they are very frightened.

It is always best to train your rabbit to get used to being handled by rewarding it. You should never consciously scare your rabbit to try to get it to stay still.