Quick Take
- Juniper the rabbit has total speed and independence thanks to her new wheelchair.
- Rabbits are delicate and very prone to injury from standard human handling.
- Many wheelchairs designed for pets up to 10 pounds are available for purchase.
How do you get around if you’ve lost the use of your legs? Using a wheelchair is one great option — and one that even the animal kingdom can enjoy with the help of caring humans! One rabbit gained her independence back by rolling around on a wheelchair specially designed just for her, and the video will melt your heart.
Instagram account @pubity shared a video by Lindsey Stallings/ViralHog that shows a pet bunny named Juniper navigating the house in a yellow-and-black wheelchair. And, yes, it’s just as cute as it sounds!
“Juniper the rabbit lost the use of her back legs and could barely move on her own, but her new tiny wheelchair has completely changed her life,” the video’s caption reads, explaining Juniper’s need for the wheels. Once she got them, she practically acted like a new rabbit! “Now she zooms around the house with ease, confidently rolling up for snacks and backing away with her treats like she is making sure no one can steal them.”
Rabbits are very delicate and can get injured easily.
©ARTFULLY PHOTOGRAPHER/Shutterstock.com
“She looks happy, curious, and totally at home in her new wheels,” the caption added. Isn’t that the sweetest thing you’ve ever heard?
In the short clip, Juniper looks adorable as she uses her front legs and forward momentum to make the wheels spin. She can’t hop with the wheels weighing her down, but her natural instinct to move works with the wheelchair and allows her to get closer to her owner’s outstretched hand to score treats. This feat is followed with praise, ensuring Juniper has plenty of motivation to do it again.
It must be so confusing for an animal to lose the ability to walk (or hop!), so having someone provide an easy-to-use solution, along with patience and praise, is just beautiful!
People in the comments agreed. “OMG…..the lil hops are just too much cuteness. Love this ❤️” one person wrote. Someone else said, “Buns are so resilient! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️”
Why would a rabbit need a wheelchair?
Rabbits are adorable, aren’t they? Many kids love spotting bunnies during spring walks through the neighborhood or feeling their soft fur at petting zoos or even watching them on TV (Thumper from Bambi will always be a household favorite!). But while these fluffy animals are cute to look at, they aren’t resilient to being handled. In fact, improper handling could be one of the reasons bunnies like Juniper get hurt in the first place.
Rabbits are delicate creatures, leaving them very prone to injury, especially if they are picked up or handled roughly. Even adults being careful can hurt a rabbit on accident, as bunnies prefer not to be held at all.
These sweet creatures can also develop illnesses that can affect their mobility, such as arthritis, muscle weakness, cancer, and paralysis among others. For these reasons, a wheelchair may be necessary to ensure rabbits can still enjoy life even if they don’t have full control over all their limbs, just like Juniper. It might take a little while to get used to, but with patience and practice, most bunnies should be able to navigate their new wheels in no time.
Where to buy rabbit wheels?
If you happen to have a pet bunny in need of a wheelchair, you can easily buy one online. Of course, you should consult your vet first, to avoid further injury to your sweet bunny. There are many places to buy animal wheelchairs, including Walkin’ Pets. Their Walkin’ Wheels Mini dog wheelchair ($219) is designed for miniature-sized dogs, but it is small enough to fit a rabbit less than 10 pounds. The wheelchair has a lightweight frame and rear wheels to help animals get around easily and intuitively.
If your pet rabbit is injured or in pain, call their vet right away.
©ShayneKayePhoto/Shutterstock.com
Amazon also sells several pet wheelchair options. Depending on your rabbit’s needs (and your price range), this adjustable wheelchair ($39.99) designed for rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters might be perfect. It can provide relief and support for both front or back legs, giving you more options to help your rabbit depending on what they need.
Of course, you can also ask your vet for recommendations on how to help your pet rabbit be more comfortable. And if your rabbit is in pain or behaving unusually, it’s important to take it to the vet right away so a medical professional can examine it. Putting your rabbit in a wheelchair without support and advise from a vet could end up causing harm, so always get a professional’s advice first.
