The Relaxed Rabbit: Learn how to massage your bunny

When I was looking for a proofreader for my book, I wanted someone that knew about bunnies as well as grammar. I found Chandra Beal, a bunny owner and proofreader – the perfect combination. Chandra is also the author of  The Relaxed Rabbit: Massage Techniques for Your Companion Rabbit, and she very kindly sent me a copy of her DVD a few weeks ago so I could give it a try with Scamp. She’s also offering you the chance to win a copy (scroll down for details).

I had a couple of questions for Chandra first…

What gave you the idea to perform massage on rabbits?

I actually started by learning energy work. I used to sit near or touching my first bunny, Maia, and over time I noticed a palpable energy exchange between us that left us both feeling happy and relaxed. This intrigued me and I began learning many healing arts, starting with Reiki, which I practiced with Maia and with foster and shelter rabbits. I enrolled in human massage school and learned the fundamentals of Swedish massage, and later Thai massage and a host of different techniques. I practiced these, too, on Maia, and began to adapt bodywork for her anatomy. I saw a real difference in her body over time, and compared to rabbits in other situations (for example, a shelter). I thought that if I approached it with the same responsibilities as human massage, such as avoiding contraindications and working safely with a rabbit’s body, that bunnies could enjoy massage, too! I set out to formalize my techniques and instruction in a book and DVD so I could share it with others.

Do rabbits really enjoy massage?

Oh, yes! Although we all know that rabbits can be quite fierce when they want to, they are generally “yin” animals who are receptive to energy and touch. Rabbits regularly touch each other through grooming, and just imagine the close quarters of a warren. They are sensitive creatures who appreciate the sensual side of life. My guys get a massage just about every day, and they are the ones who ask for it by appearing on our “massage” rug. I know they’re enjoying it because they chatter their teeth, fall asleep in my hands, and totally surrender themselves. Plus I usually get a ‘thank you’ kiss. And from a massage therapist’s point of view, I can feel their muscle fibers actually lengthening and letting go, and observe signs of relaxation.

How about owners?

Absolutely! All those sensations I experienced with Maia now have scientific support. There are many documented studies now showing that touching a pet, or even just being around a pet, can lower blood pressure, increase self-esteem, lower anxiety… In massage we talk about entrainment, the synchronization of two life forces, which can happen through the rhythm of strokes or through music. When that happens, it’s just bliss. You can also increase the human-animal bond by interacting with your rabbit in a trusting and supportive way. It’s win-win, really.

Sounds good, I admit, I was a little hesitant about the odds of Scamp sitting still long enough for a massage but we were up for having a go. My first impression of the DVD was that there is actually a lot more on it than just massage techniques. There is excellent explanation of rabbit’s physiology – how their bones and muscles fit together – did you know there are 16 bones in a bunnies tail? Chandra also talks about rabbit behaviour, the benefits of the contact that massage encourages and reading feedback signals from your bunny.

Scamp learning rabbit massage techniques

The massage techniques were just as interesting. Some parts I was nodding along to thinking “well, that explains why bunnies like being stroked there so much” and others were completely new things to try out. Scamp’s idea of ‘relaxing’ is dropping (flopping) to the floor for five minutes in between binkies but he did let me try out a few new things and I’ll continue to introduce them slowly. One of the things I was surprised at was how much he seemed to enjoy the rocking, he blissed out for ten minutes or so on the back of the sofa as I gently swayed him side to side – for him that’s a long time to stay in one place!

The production of the DVD itself is brilliant, it’s really professional. Sorry Chandra, but I think you were completely upstaged by Gilligan. He’s a beautiful dutch bunny/assistant that demonstrated how to be massaged, and he looks completely relaxed throughout the whole DVD.

If you want more information or to get your hands on a copy, visit Chandra’s website or it’s available at Amazon.

Win a Copy of The Relaxed Rabbit DVD

For a chance to win your very own copy, just leave a comment answering the question: how many bones in a rabbit’s tail? before December 10th. Chandra will draw a winner and I’ll announce it here on the 11th.

UPDATE: Chandra drew Diana Moll, from the QI Papers as the lucky winner – congratulations Diana, I hope your bunnies enjoy the massage!

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13 Responses to “The Relaxed Rabbit: Learn how to massage your bunny”

  1. DIana Moll says:

    there are 16 (sixteen) bones in a rabbit’s tail
    love the picture of Scamp learning how to relax

  2. Gus & Maddie says:

    Sixteen! Scamp is so cute, He seems Interested in the video!

  3. 16 bones, and I’ll be getting a copy even if we don’t win one. Mr. Mick loves it when I massage him as is, and I would definitely like to improve my technique.

  4. Kathryn says:

    16! Definitely reposting this blog entry to my site! Love it!

  5. Zoe says:

    Thera are 16 bones in a bunny’s tail.
    Dexter loves it when i massage him, but i do it in an amateur way (just trying and seeing when he is more relaxed), but i think this book and DVD would be great to learn how to do it really professional.

  6. Debbie says:

    There are 16 bones in a bunnies tail .Wow I was really surprised at how many bones there are, I had alway likened Frodo’s tail to being like my little finger, just a few more than that then 😉 . Good luck to all that enter this competition!

  7. Lindsey says:

    Loved this post! My two love a sort of bunny ‘shoulder rub’, lol, but I didn’t know there were real techniques for bunny massage. Very interesting 🙂

    There are 16 bones in a bunny’s tail!

  8. Avery says:

    16 bones! It sounds like a lot, but it definitely explains why Malenkii twitches his so delicately.

  9. Yvonne says:

    16 bones in the tail~
    I love to massage my buns when i study, makes the time sitting in 1 spot studying more bearable XD

  10. annette says:

    16 bones.
    I give Wesley a massage and back rub every day and he adores it. He spends a great part of the day just turning his back on me – asking for more massages! and I just fluff/knead away, so I reckon I need to learn some good techniques!
    many thanks Tamsin and Chandra 🙂

  11. Ali says:

    16 bones in a bunny’s tail! Wow, but they are so little. My rabbits love a good massage and when I get new fosters it helps me to bond with them. The DVD will be brilliant to find out how to do it properly!

  12. Organic says:

    Love It!!!! I do reiki on Theo all the time…. which is a coincidence that I too reared a wild bunny!

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