Rabbits are tame pets, but they can also be shrewd. When a specimen comes out of the cage, it is not easy to catch it effortlessly; you can, however, succeed in your intent with some fences or cages and the help of a few friends. Sometimes, it may even be necessary to catch one that has been abandoned, because domestic specimens are unable to survive in the wild. It is therefore important to be able to distinguish a domestic rabbit from a wild one, to avoid trapping the latter by mistake, since it would not be a good companion animal and should live in freedom.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Catching a Scared Rabbit
Step 1. Understand why your pet rabbit might be afraid of you
Rabbits are prey and are easily frightened. Your pet may be afraid of you because they don't know yet if they can trust you. If you want your bunny to feel comfortable when he approaches you, then you will need to work on his confidence and prove that you are not a predator.
- Avoid chasing your bunny, as it only adds to his stress and reinforces the idea that he should be afraid.
- While it may look cuddly and cuddly, the rabbit naturally resists being held, especially if you move it from place to place while holding it in your arms. Forcing him into this situation could lead to him kicking or he could still try to free himself; you could get hurt or it could be fatal to the rabbit if it fell to the floor.
Step 2. Create the right environment
Remove any other animals, turn off the TV and make the room as quiet as possible. The aim is to create an environment where your rabbit can feel safe and relaxed.
Step 3. Collect some treats that are interesting for him
To get your shy bunny closer, try keeping a few favorite treats on hand. Chunks of carrot, apple, banana, or oatmeal should be for you.
Step 4. Get him out of his cage and let him explore around
Sit or lie down and wait for your rabbit to come out of the cage. Avoid forcing it or trying to push it out. The rabbit is a curious animal by nature and, over time, it will come out on its own.
It may take some time for the rabbit to get close to you, possibly as much as an hour. Try to remain as still as possible, without making any noises
Step 5. Let the rabbit explore the environment and get used to your presence
Resist the temptation to pick it up or touch it. Let him sniff you, get on top of you, and if he finds the treat in your hand, allow him to nibble on it while you hold it.
You may need to repeat this process every day for some time to win your friend's trust. Moving too early could ruin all the work, so try to be patient
Step 6. Caress him when you see him starting to trust
As your rabbit feels more confident and you notice that it begins to approach you regularly, slowly reach out and pat it gently on the side. Avoid raising your hand above his head, as it may scare him.
Step 7. Move the bunny onto your lap
Rabbits are animals that live in the ground and do not like being raised too high above the floor. Once the animal feels comfortable and accepts your caresses, you can place it on your lap. Sit down and gently move the animal to your lap. Do not let him miss tidbits and sweet caresses. Once the rabbit knows that you are not a predator, your bond will grow stronger and stronger.
Step 8. Learn how to catch it with one quick motion
The process of getting the rabbit used to your presence is fine, but you may need to get it quickly - take it, for example, to take it to the vet. In this case, do the following:
- Place a towel over the rabbit, covering it completely;
- Lift him along the towel, keeping his head covered. Darkness will keep him calm;
- Transfer it to a dark and safe box.
Part 2 of 4: Locating the Rabbit and Blocking Escape Routes
Step 1. Take some time
Rabbits are smart and fast; in fact, they can run up to 50 km / h, faster than a domestic cat. In addition, the hind legs are designed to jump and allow the animal to quickly get away from the person trying to grab it. Since the ancestors of domestic rabbits were never predators, their survival depends on their ability to escape and hide. You will need a couple of hours to catch him if he escaped outside, and it will probably take more than one try.
- The rabbits of the Silver Champagne breed, the gray and white ones that often participate in exhibitions, and the English Aries, brown and white with drooping ears, are both particularly lively; it is therefore quite difficult to catch them.
- It is equally difficult to catch the Belgian Hare rabbit, whose name derives from the appearance similar to the dark brown wild hares, because it is very quick and cunning. Specimens belonging to the gray-colored Beveren Blue, Mottled Rex and Lion's Head breeds are equally intelligent and lively.
Step 2. Get some friends
If you have a few people helping you, it is much easier to be able to grab the rabbit and force it to head in the direction you want.
Step 3. Have a pet carrier handy
You have to be ready for when you can catch the animal; find someone who can hold the cage to put the rabbit in once you get it.
Step 4. Create a makeshift fence
This is the best way to get hold of the rabbit. Hopefully, you already have something similar on hand, like a playpen for your little furry friend's physical activity; basically, you need something tall and wide enough to make a cage around the rabbit. Once the animal is surrounded, you need more people to hold the different elements of the enclosure and to restrict the space more and more.
- You can take planks with a 5x10 cm section and wire mesh to make a ready-to-use fence; it should be at least 90cm tall, although some rabbits are able to jump to greater heights. The width is up to you, but if you plan to transport the rabbit by car, you need to consider the length and space inside the vehicle. Join the different components of the fence with hinges.
- You can also make an enclosure using a puppy cage or deer enclosure.
Step 5. Find the rabbit
If you haven't spotted it yet, look for signs of its presence. You may notice traces of his droppings; you can also notice where he has gnawed plants or where he dug small holes. These clues let you know in which direction he went.
- Sometimes it is easier to sit and wait; leave some of his favorite treats lying around and see if he comes close.
- Check if there are any holes near his cage, which could indicate that he has escaped to the yard.
Step 6. Block the escape routes
If you are in the garden, you should prevent any possibility of escape before attempting to capture the animal. Close the gate; cover any holes you find near the perimeter of the enclosure so that it cannot stray through these openings.
Part 3 of 4: Capturing the Rabbit Safely
Step 1. Direct it away from the traffic routes
Obviously, the road represents a danger for this little animal; if possible, push it away from such areas to prevent it from harming itself. To do this, use people as barriers, as it will tend to move away from them.
Step 2. Encircle it
Check where he is hiding. Build a large enclosure around the animal using the cage or fence of wood and wire mesh. The easiest way to surround it is to find more people who hold the different elements to form a large fence. Keep the different components resting on the ground, so that the rabbit cannot escape by passing under them. Slowly reduce the size of the enclosure by removing elements, while maintaining a circle formation to more easily trap the rabbit; make sure there are no free spaces through which he can escape.
Step 3. Grab the rabbit
Once the enclosure is small enough, you can gently grab the animal. It is easier to catch it if you enter the cage; when you grab him, be sure to support his back, resting his paws on your body if possible.
- Lock his legs by wrapping an arm around the outside of his body and then the back area; use the other arm to squeeze it on the opposite side and hold it by the shoulders.
- The best way to catch him is to land with him; talk to him in a soft tone and see if he approaches. If you put yourself at his level, you will scare him less.
- If this technique doesn't work, help from more than one person is needed to trap him in a corner; pick him up from a standing position.
- Never grab it by the ears - you could hurt and frighten it.
Step 4. Put it in a pet carrier
Once captured, it is useful to use this container to transport it more easily. Even if you just have to bring him back into the house, it's easier if you lock him in the cage, as holding him could escape you. Keep the pet carrier inside the enclosure with you so you don't risk the rabbit escaping again.
Step 5. Call in the experts
If you can't catch your little friend, contact a specialized company or animal rights association; if they're not too busy, they can help you get it back. Usually, they have networks at their disposal that make the job easier and are able to use them in the appropriate way for this purpose.
- In reality, using a net to catch the rabbit is a rather difficult method; if you are not trained to capture animals in this way, it is unlikely that you will be able to do so.
- However, if you manage to catch the rabbit, you can cast the net to catch it; depending on the distance the animal is at, you can also use a towel or sheet. Try to put the rabbit in a corner, so that it cannot go back further, throw the cloth over him and collect the whole "bundle".
Step 6. Don't try to catch him without using a fence
Most of these animals, even domesticated ones, tend to escape before you can catch them. Because the rabbit is so fast, it can move a long way away before you even get close or it can run away when you try to grab it after petting it.
- Plus, he can learn your technique, and the next time you try to corner him, he'll be even more agile.
- It can also make its way into corners that are so narrow that it would be impossible for you to follow.
- However, you can trick him into thinking you have a fence by holding a towel by the long side, so that the opposite side touches the ground; you can then push the animal into a corner and throw the towel over it.
Step 7. Avoid using non-lethal traps
They can be useful for catching your little friend, but some specimens are smarter and manage to avoid them; in addition, you must constantly monitor them, because other animals could kill the rabbit that is inside them.
- If you decide to use them anyway, look for a model that has openings on both sides, in order to increase the chances that your "prey" can enter.
- With this type of trap, it is also necessary to lure the animal with food, such as bananas or carrots.
Part 4 of 4: Recognizing a Domestic Rabbit
Step 1. Check if your ears are prone to falling out
Not all domestic rabbits have drooping, but all specimens with this type of auricles are domestic; their ears hang downward (like those of the Basset hound dog), rather than staying straight backward or upward.
Step 2. Try to estimate your weight
Wild rabbits are generally smaller than domestic rabbits; they can weigh from 1 to 2 kg. If you think the specimen in front of you is larger, it is more likely to be domestic.
Step 3. Check the color of the fur
All the wild ones have an agouti coloring; this means they can have variegated gray, brown and tan fur. Even domestic specimens sometimes have this coloration, but unlike wild ones, their abdomen is lighter. They can also be other colors, such as silver, golden-ocher, dark brown or light brown, and have some distinctive markings on the legs (often dark) or shoulders (often white), as well as mottled areas, depending on the breed.
Step 4. Pay attention to social behaviors
Wild rabbits are afraid of people and probably run away from your sight; the domestic ones are more sociable, they can also get close and require attention.
Step 5. Look at the shape of the head
That of domestic animals is more rounded, while wild specimens have a more triangular snout; also, the latter have thinner ears, which means you can almost see through them near the ends.
