How To Give Medication To a Rabbit

Stash an after-medication treat, like a raisin or a small piece of apple, in a convenient spot so you can get to it as soon as you’re done.

Arrange your chair, bench, or stool in the place you plan to dose Bun-bun.

Pick up the bunny as calmly as you can, speaking soothingly while you do. Wrap her tightly in the towel—think “bunny burrito”—so that she can’t get her legs free to kick or scramble around.

Take a seat, both of you! Sit down on the chair, stool, or bench with the bunny held firmly on your lap.

Tucking the rabbit firmly under one arm, hold her against your body. If you’re right-handed, use your left arm. If you’re left-handed, use your right arm.

With the hand that’s holding the bunny, grip her head. Use your thumb to pry her lips open. Keep holding her against your body so she won’t be able to back away from the medicine.

Still, gripping the bunny’s head and holding open her lips, use your other hand to slide the filled eyedropper or syringe into her mouth. Always slide it in from the side, where a rabbit’s teeth won’t get in the way.

Squirt the medicine as far back into the bunny’s throat as you can. Hold her mouth closed for a few seconds.

Show the rabbit her treat before you place her carefully on the floor and remove the towel. If she’s too mad to stick around, leave the treat on the floor—she’ll come back for it.

It would be great if rabbits knew you were doing this all for their own good, but take heart. The treatments will soon be over, and after a few days your bunny won’t remember what you put her through.