Reason Why Rabbits Can't Grab Ears: A Fascinating Fact
The Functions of a Rabbit's Ears
Rabbits' ears serve a variety of purposes beyond simply hearing and navigating at night. They also play a crucial role in regulating body temperature. This is due to the abundance of blood vessels in a rabbit's ears, which allow for efficient heat dissipation. When the air flow around the ears is strong, it can cool down the blood, thereby helping to maintain the rabbit's internal temperature. Consequently, the ears are of great importance to the rabbit's wellbeing. However, because rabbits' ears are densely packed with blood vessels and nerves, they are particularly susceptible to injury when grabbed. This can hinder the ears' ability to perform their functions. Moreover, if the ears are roughly pulled or tugged, rabbits may struggle and resist, which could lead to fractures or unnecessary harm.
Many pet owners enjoy grabbing rabbits by their ears to pick them up or hold them, thinking it's an easy way to catch the animal. However, this method is actually quite harmful to rabbits. We hope that owners will correct this behavior. Here are two safe and gentle ways to hold a rabbit:
1. Use your right hand to grasp the rabbit's neck from behind and lift it gently. At the same time, use your left hand to support the rabbit's rump, and slowly cradle the rabbit in your arms.
2. You can also hold the rabbit like a baby, using one hand to encircle the rabbit's armpits, with your thumb and the other four fingers inserted into the rabbit's left and right armpits. The other hand should be palmup, supporting the rabbit's rump, and distributing the rabbit's weight on the hand supporting the rump. This method ensures the rabbit's safety and prevents scratches from the rabbit's claws. If the rabbit is very young, consider holding it with both hands.
Lastly, a reminder for owners: Before picking up a rabbit for the first time, it's important to gently stroke its head to gauge its temperament and see if the rabbit is comfortable with physical contact. If the rabbit pulls away or appears tense, it may be in a state of stress. Additionally, when holding a rabbit, avoid lifting it too high, as rabbits are naturally cautious and fear being lifted off the ground. If the rabbit continues to struggle, it's best not to force it, as this could cause harm.
The above content is Dr. OxygenPet's introduction to the correct way to hold a rabbit. We hope that owners will quickly abandon the habit of roughly pulling a rabbit's ears to pick it up, to prevent unnecessary harm to the rabbit.
