Massage is pleasurable to most of us, right? Well, bunnies enjoy it too! Enhancing your regular petting with a little bunny massage is a great way to bond with your bunny more and help their health, leading to a happier, healthier bunny!
Do not fear if your bun does not take to massage immediately They have to get used to it, and many buns will end up liking it so much that they will demand it from you!
This is how I massage my bunnies.
I first start with the head, a good nose rub like most bunnies love. If you feel any tension, concentrate your rubbing on that, not to hard, just rub it with moderate firmness till you can feel it desolve away. It takes longer then one rubbing to get the tension completely out of their body for most buns, especially buns who are not massaged on a regular basis. Do not be discouraged.
Move down to the cheeks. This will take some getting used to for most buns. Slowly massage in a circular motion. This will feel wonderful to your bunny.
Move upwards to the crown of the head. Massage, again in a circular motion around your bunny's ears.
Move between your bunny's ears to it's shoulder blades. Rub in between your bun's shoulder blades to it's spine. You should be able to feel it's spine here. Massage it and into the neck, as this part of the bun's body holds a lot of tension.
Rub gently around your bunny's neck, relieving the tension.
Move across it's back. Dig your fingers into the muscle on either side of the spine and rub across the spine. Also rub around the gut of your rabbit gently.
Make your hand into a claw shape and rub his rump, going from back to front. You will probably feel the muscles jump a bit, this is good, the tension is leaving your bun. However, they will probably not enjoy the sensation to much. Brush the fur back in to place after this.
Rub each hip in a circular motion. You might feel more jumping of the muscle. Again, this is okay! This is good!
You can gently rub the feet, but leave the tail alone.
Recap at the head with a good nose rub. This will leave your rabbit feeling happy.
Consider playing relaxing, meditative music while doing this, as they are very responsive to sound. Also, you might consider a natural, good feeling scent, like the chakra scents from Aveda, as they are very responsive to smell.
I hope this helps you to spend peaceful, quiet time with your bunny.
Thank you Sir. Fernly for posing for these pictures!
Hope your days are binky worthy!
