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How do you hold a guinea pig?

Updated: 8/11/2023
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13y ago

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It is first worth remembering that bunnies are prey animals and that they are ground dwelling. As prey animals, they are naturally un-trusting of anyone trying to lift them from the ground...

As ground animals they are afraid when lifted off the earth. It's a natural instinct for a rabbit to kick its way free so it can be on the ground again. The bunny has to feel secure in order for those fears to lessen.

Now, all of this being said -- when picking up a rabbit make sure you are completely supporting his hindquarters, rabbits can break their spine of they are not picked up correctly and their back end is left to hang down or they kick out in that position.

One hand under the chest and another under the butt, bring the bunny in towards your chest so the bunny is 'laying' on your chest with his butt end on your forearm and leaving your other hand free to securely hold the bunnies upper back.

However, a caveat... a scared rabbit will quite possibly take a flying leap over your shoulder if you do not ensure she/he is secure. Be prepared for this and never walk around or stay standing up with a bunny not used to being held...

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16y ago
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13y ago

you have to hold the turtle with your hand on its chest (you can cup him with your hand's). also you can go on a bed and play with him on there. but if little kids try to hold him you have to not let the turtle look like its swimming in mid-air. even if its just a finger or to on its feet or your palm.

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14y ago

You hold a bunny by letting them jump on your hand. Never hold a bunny on the ear. My pet bunny never let me hold his ear. If you do it may turn crimson red swollen. Also feed your bunny grass in the winter, feed pellet food or fruits or veggies.

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13y ago

There are several ways to properly hold a Guinea Pig, the preferred and safest method being to place one hand gently under their stomach and use the other hand to support their back end. It would also be worth mentioning that added support can come from holding them against your stomach or chest. Lastly, be very careful when, you or a friend, are holding your guinea pig; dropping them can result in an irrevocable back injury.

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11y ago

first answer: You roll the bunny onto his back and relax his legs by massaging them , eventually he will calm down and then he will sit still only for a short amount of time though. So you may have to repeat the proceediure a few times before he will lay for a decent ammount of time.

another answer: Some people call this "hypnotising" your rabbit. This is not a kind thing to do to your bunny, and it can be dangerous. Rabbits are not toys or babies. If you want to hold something like a baby, use a toy or a baby, not a rabbit. A rabbit is a living being and deserves your respect: it's not there just to satisfy you. Don't hold your rabbit like this for fun.

The Risks:

  • If your rabbit kicks into thin air, he can break his own back. Rabbits have very strong leg muscles, but relatively weak bones, and this is a serious risk. If you turn your rabbit upside down, you should always support the hind legs -- for instance, you could lean over the rabbit so that his hind legs are pressed into your chest or stomach.
  • If your rabbit struggles when you're holding him, you can accidentally drop him and he can seriously injure himself. Mishandling and dropping is a very common cause of injury in rabbits.
  • When a rabbit is hypnotised, it isn't necessarily happy. This could be a defence mechanism: when rabbits are in the jaws of a predator, they freeze and lose their senses, that way they don't have to experience being ripped apart. Rabbits have no natural reason for being upside down, except for being in the jaws of a predator. So, this can be a very stressful experience for them. Do not cause your rabbit stress: it's cruel, and bad for their health.

For grooming: Some people "hypnotise" their rabbits in order to better groom them. If your rabbit hypnotises well (stays hypnotised until turned back over), and you are safe about it (you stay close to the ground, and support the feet), then it's probably fine. But if your rabbit doesn't hypnotise well -- if, like my last rabbit, your bunny always snaps out of it without warning -- then you must find a safer way to groom your rabbit.

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14y ago

you hold a rabbit with care and make sure that his or her legs are not dangling. you also must hold them nice and firm so that he or she feels safe in you're arms. good luck!!

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14y ago

Cradle it from underneath-never by the ears.

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How long should you hold your guinea pig?

your should hold your guinea pig for about 30min to an hour each day


Can you hold your guinea pig if it just had a baby?

when my guinea pig had babies i held her and she was fine


Can you tam a guinea pig?

yes you can tame a guinea pig in about 3 months if you hold and play with them.


When can you hold a 3 day old guniea pig?

you can hold the guinea pig by then for short periods of time.


Is it true that you can hold a guinea pig by it tail and it eyes will fall out?

No!


Which would you recommend as a pet mouse rat or guinea pig?

I would recommend a guinea pig because they are more playful and want you to hold and love them.


How treated cosntipation on a guinea pig?

If your guinea pig is an old male, he may have weakened muscles near his bottom so he can't poo. You have to push it out with a friend so one can hold the guinea pig and the other can get the faeces out.


What will happien if you hold a baby guinea pig to early?

guinea pigs are not tlike hamsters after a day or too you can hold on hamsters will eat their young but guinea pigs wont


What to do if your guinea pig won't let you hold him?

Put him back down!


Can you hold your guinea pig when you are sick?

i wouldn't because you could get them sick to.


Why is it not true that when you hold a guinea pig by its tail his eyes don't pop out?

Because guinea pigs don't have tails!


Is handfeeding a guinea pig bonding with him?

Of course! Any interaction with you is bonding. Hold your g-pig everyday and it will love you!