For Vets
Policy Statements
Brachycephaly and extreme features
Breeding
Chemical neutering
Conscious dental treatment
Environment for keeping rabbits
Exercising using a harness and lead
Feeding
Feeding Muesli-style rabbit food
Health care
Other organisations
Pet rabbit shows
Pet shops
Rabbit fancy dress and wearing collars
Rabbit show jumping
Rabbits and birds
Rabbits and children
Rabbits and guinea pigs
Rescue Centres
Scruffing
Tonic immobility (trancing)
Use of Rabbits in Educational and Therapeutic Settings
Vaccinations at the time of neutering
Scruffing
A study has shown that ‘scruffing’ rabbits – holding by loose skin on back of the neck to handle them – can be stressful.
Therefore, the RWA&F recommends that rabbits are handled in the following manner instead:
Lifted gently and securely, one hand should be across the shoulder blades, fingers gently supporting the chest of the rabbit whilst the other is under the rabbit’s bottom, taking the bulk of the weight.