Tonic Immobility in Rabbits: Major Stressor or No Big Deal?

Cradling and handing rabbits on their backs sparks fierce debate due to overall stress concerns. Recent research shows that the use of gently-induced tonic immobility (TI) reduces stress indicators, with rabbits in TI showing lower cortisol and glucose levels than those handled upright. Thus, proper dorsal restraint has been clinically shown to minimize stress during handling.