Rabbit Behavior
Thumping of the back feet- This noise is associated with fear and is a way of warning others of dangers in the area. Rabbits thump their hind feet to signal danger. Some rabbits will thump one foot on the ground, some will thump both hind feet at the same time. Rabbits aren't very vocal so thumping is their way of communicating. Usually this means they have heard something odd and it could be potentially harmful e.g. A cat outside the door. Sometimes when you surprise rabbits they will thump at you to show their displeasure at being caught unawares. Dominant rabbits will also thump in order to gain attention
Hissing, growling or muttering - Usually indicates aggression and precedes an attack. It indicates the rabbit feels threatened or is behaving territorially.
Grunting - Rabbits can grunt softly as they run round and round you. This is a dance of love, and the rabbit is expressing his/her feelings for you.
Teeth grinding - Soft grinding or cooing means your rabbit is happy (and often accompanies being tickled or stroked). Loud grinding is a sign of intense pain as is loud squealing - it may also indicate danger.
Sleeping - Rabbits mostly sleep during the day. They often sleep with their eyes open so its hard to tell when they are sleeping. However a give-away is that when they are sleeping rabbits often twitch, and their noses stop wiggling. Other rabbits will close their eyes and totally flake out, looking like they are dead. This can result in quite a fright!
Binkying - A binky is an expression of joy from a rabbit. When a rabbit binkies, it jumps into the air, often twisting and flicking its feet and head. Unfortunately they often don't judge where they are going to land properly, and binky into the wall, furniture etc.
Squealing - A rabbit will squeal to express extreme fear or pain. A rabbit that has never been caught by a person may squeal in fear as it is picked up from the ground.
Chinning - Rabbits have scent glands under their chin and will rub their scent glands on almost everything in order to claim ownership and mark territory. Even people can be marked. People cannot smell the scent so there is no need to be concerned.
Flat rabbit - Rabbits flatten themselves for two reasons. One is that there is something scary and if they are close to the ground then maybe they wont be seen. The other reason is bowing to the boss. Typically the bunny's body will be close the the ground and the ears will be back on their body. The rabbit's head will be lowered to the ground as well. This stance means "I give up. Please don't hurt me!!"
Tiptoeing - Rabbits will tiptoe around when they are not confident of their surroundings.
Mounting/Humping - Single male rabbits will often try to mount soft toys, cushions and even people's legs. This is a sign that your rabbit is ready to be neutered. This behaviour usually ceases a month or so after neutering. Mounting is also used as a sign of dominance in both male and female rabbits. The dominant rabbit will mount the other rabbit to show who's boss. Once the dominant rabbit has been decided, this behaviour usually stops.
Grinding teeth - Rabbits can make a purring noise by grinding their teeth. A quiet tooth purr means you have a happy rabbit. A louder crunchy type of teeth grinding can indicate that your rabbit is in pain. To determine what your rabbit is telling you, look at the rabbits eyes (are they wide open, or closed as if relaxed) and the rabbits body language (hunched and uncomfortable looking, or relaxed and calm). Small things like this let you know when a rabbit is not feeling well.
Standing up on 2 feet - Rabbits sit up on their hind feet to get a better view of the surroundings. Usually periscoping occurs when a rabbit hears something is trying to figure out what it is. Rabbits also use this technique to become taller so they can reach the snack you are holding.
· Both ears up with inside of ear facing forward - friendly, happy bunny
· Inside of ears turned outward - getting annoyed
· One ear up and one ear down - more annoyed, could go either way
· Ears up with inside turned to back - annoyed, getting angry
· Lays ears back from position described above, crouched body - prepare to be bitten
· Looks at you and waggles ears - happy, wants to interact
· Turns back on you - you have been dismissed
· Thumps and turns back on you - you have caused great offence
· Moves away from you flicking its back feet - you have caused annoyance
· Flopped with both back legs out side together - relaxed
· Flat as possible on tummy with ears laid down in relaxed way - wants to be stroked
· Pushes head under your hand or under your chin if you are cuddling - wants to be stroked
· Pokes you with nose - marking or accepting you
· Licks you - grooming behaviour; a great favour for a rabbit to bestow; you can reciprocate by stroking!
· Racing wildly around the room - in the absence of any fear stimulus this is a happy bunny (if he is happy he will stop and groom or flop; if frightened will try to hide or stop and freeze)
· Frozen with heart racing - terrified
· Yawning - indicates anxiety/tiredness
· Consumption of moist faecal pellets - normal behaviour essential for nutrition
· Pulling out fur and making a nest - normal behaviour for unspayed female bunny
· Digging in litter box - may just like to dig; may indicate dirty litter box
· Chewing on bars of cage - bored; give him/her toys, more attention, more freedom, chewable items, adequate hay
If you need any more information do not hesitate to call/ask us
Hissing, growling or muttering - Usually indicates aggression and precedes an attack. It indicates the rabbit feels threatened or is behaving territorially.
Grunting - Rabbits can grunt softly as they run round and round you. This is a dance of love, and the rabbit is expressing his/her feelings for you.
Teeth grinding - Soft grinding or cooing means your rabbit is happy (and often accompanies being tickled or stroked). Loud grinding is a sign of intense pain as is loud squealing - it may also indicate danger.
Sleeping - Rabbits mostly sleep during the day. They often sleep with their eyes open so its hard to tell when they are sleeping. However a give-away is that when they are sleeping rabbits often twitch, and their noses stop wiggling. Other rabbits will close their eyes and totally flake out, looking like they are dead. This can result in quite a fright!
Binkying - A binky is an expression of joy from a rabbit. When a rabbit binkies, it jumps into the air, often twisting and flicking its feet and head. Unfortunately they often don't judge where they are going to land properly, and binky into the wall, furniture etc.
Squealing - A rabbit will squeal to express extreme fear or pain. A rabbit that has never been caught by a person may squeal in fear as it is picked up from the ground.
Chinning - Rabbits have scent glands under their chin and will rub their scent glands on almost everything in order to claim ownership and mark territory. Even people can be marked. People cannot smell the scent so there is no need to be concerned.
Flat rabbit - Rabbits flatten themselves for two reasons. One is that there is something scary and if they are close to the ground then maybe they wont be seen. The other reason is bowing to the boss. Typically the bunny's body will be close the the ground and the ears will be back on their body. The rabbit's head will be lowered to the ground as well. This stance means "I give up. Please don't hurt me!!"
Tiptoeing - Rabbits will tiptoe around when they are not confident of their surroundings.
Mounting/Humping - Single male rabbits will often try to mount soft toys, cushions and even people's legs. This is a sign that your rabbit is ready to be neutered. This behaviour usually ceases a month or so after neutering. Mounting is also used as a sign of dominance in both male and female rabbits. The dominant rabbit will mount the other rabbit to show who's boss. Once the dominant rabbit has been decided, this behaviour usually stops.
Grinding teeth - Rabbits can make a purring noise by grinding their teeth. A quiet tooth purr means you have a happy rabbit. A louder crunchy type of teeth grinding can indicate that your rabbit is in pain. To determine what your rabbit is telling you, look at the rabbits eyes (are they wide open, or closed as if relaxed) and the rabbits body language (hunched and uncomfortable looking, or relaxed and calm). Small things like this let you know when a rabbit is not feeling well.
Standing up on 2 feet - Rabbits sit up on their hind feet to get a better view of the surroundings. Usually periscoping occurs when a rabbit hears something is trying to figure out what it is. Rabbits also use this technique to become taller so they can reach the snack you are holding.
· Both ears up with inside of ear facing forward - friendly, happy bunny
· Inside of ears turned outward - getting annoyed
· One ear up and one ear down - more annoyed, could go either way
· Ears up with inside turned to back - annoyed, getting angry
· Lays ears back from position described above, crouched body - prepare to be bitten
· Looks at you and waggles ears - happy, wants to interact
· Turns back on you - you have been dismissed
· Thumps and turns back on you - you have caused great offence
· Moves away from you flicking its back feet - you have caused annoyance
· Flopped with both back legs out side together - relaxed
· Flat as possible on tummy with ears laid down in relaxed way - wants to be stroked
· Pushes head under your hand or under your chin if you are cuddling - wants to be stroked
· Pokes you with nose - marking or accepting you
· Licks you - grooming behaviour; a great favour for a rabbit to bestow; you can reciprocate by stroking!
· Racing wildly around the room - in the absence of any fear stimulus this is a happy bunny (if he is happy he will stop and groom or flop; if frightened will try to hide or stop and freeze)
· Frozen with heart racing - terrified
· Yawning - indicates anxiety/tiredness
· Consumption of moist faecal pellets - normal behaviour essential for nutrition
· Pulling out fur and making a nest - normal behaviour for unspayed female bunny
· Digging in litter box - may just like to dig; may indicate dirty litter box
· Chewing on bars of cage - bored; give him/her toys, more attention, more freedom, chewable items, adequate hay
If you need any more information do not hesitate to call/ask us