Similar to other animals, rabbits also have particular ways to communicate with their bunny buddies and family. As humans can’t talk to bunnies, we depend on their body language to give them the necessary attention, food, and other things.
For all the bunnies, body language and sound are the two ways of communication. Even though rabbits are relatively quiet and silent animals, they will make several kinds of sounds and noises if they are hungry or want to play. The owner will know how the rabbit is feeling through its body language. The rabbit will inform the owner using body language if it wants a peaceful environment or space.
When you want to own a bunny, you have to be aware of its personality. Every rabbit does not have the same attitude, so you have to learn more about it. Knowing the crucial indicators like their feeding time, playing time, or when they are upset makes it easy for you to bond with the rabbit. There are many things to learn about its language, so let’s know them together.
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How To Know When The Rabbit Is Happy?
Here is the long list of things that your bunny will do when it is happy. Hence, remember all these ways of communication to get close with your rabbit.
Rubbing its chin
When you notice that your bunny is rubbing its chin on you or other items, it is a way of showing its happiness. There are several scent glands on the rabbit’s chin, and they mark their space and other objects with their smell. When the rabbit marks on you, it shows that it likes and trusts you.
Binky
It is an unusual jump with acrobatics and includes body twisting and leg kicking. When the bunnies are happy or being playful, they will do binky to express it. The rabbits start doing binky out of a sudden, which might terrify you. Besides, it is another way of the rabbit showing love towards you!
Licking
Dogs will lick the owner to show their affection, and the same applies to the bunnies. When the rabbit starts licking your face, it reveals its acceptance towards you.
Flat fall (flopping)
Out of nowhere, many rabbits will flop or fall on their sides and rest there. It is not a sign of any disease or injury. The bunny is happy and comfortable with your presence.
Rolling back
When a rabbit rolls on its side or back, it means genuine satisfaction. This sign is close to the flopping, and both indicate the exact thing.
Spinning around your Feet
When your bunny is constantly following you or running around your feet, it might be craving for your attention and care. In another sense, it means that your bunny is ready to mate and bond with other bunnies. To end this behavior, neuter or spay your rabbit if you do not want to breed it.
Grinding the teeth
When your rabbit is completely satisfied, it will convey it with weak and gentle teeth grinding. It is the same as the kitten purring. When the bunny is in pain or irritated, it will let you know by noisy and fierce teeth grinding. While doing this, your bunny will be in doubt and feels nervous.
Cheerful bunnies will also start to cluck or fool around. In general, it hints that the rabbits are enjoying food, which makes them very happy. Your rabbit starts cooing once you give it its favorite snack or treat. The rabbit produces loud noises while you are feeding that treat.
Occasionally, your rabbit will start to poke your hands or body with its nose. When the rabbit’s head is resting on the floor and if it constantly pushes you, the bunny is asking you to pat its head. When you rub its head, and if it still nudges you, it means that your rabbit is hungry. The rabbit wants attention or treats when it touches you by standing on its legs.
If your rabbit is poking you with its muzzle, it wants your complete attention. You may find this behavior adorable, and it is a positive indication of the rabbit’s attitude. The above behavior shows liking and trust in you.
When The Rabbit Is Afraid, What Are Its Indications?
When your rabbit is afraid or extremely scared, you can see the following behaviors in it. Sometimes the rabbits are frightened of other pet animals in your home. They might be scared of you if anything terrible happened to them in your presence. It is better to remove all the objects or pets which frighten the rabbits. Hence, you can keep your bunny in a comfortable environment.
Lunging
Lunging is an immediate action and a crystal clear message of the rabbit. When you see that your rabbit has its ear at its back, with both the tail and head up, it is lunging. This behavior is a threat and is quite dangerous. When you see that your bunny is lunging, it is better to quickly move far from its pen and take away other pets near its cage. Hence, your rabbit will start to feel comfortable again.
Thumping
A rabbit conveys danger to its bunny buddies by thumping. Even when they are in their underground holes, they can still communicate with each other. But, it is also the indication of a rabbit being annoyed.
Flat bunny
When your rabbit lays on its stomach by keeping its head low and with a pair of flat ears, it means that the rabbit is scared but is attempting to merge with the surroundings. You might find this behavior similar to flopping, but in reality, they both are different. If the bunny looks relaxing, it is flopping. When your rabbit is looking flat with tensed muscles, it is scared. If you are still confused, you can differentiate the rabbit’s emotions by glancing at its ears. The rabbits have very expressive ears.
Groan, growling, grinding, and whistling
All the above four are different ways for the rabbit to express itself when feeling angry, scared, stressed, or terrified. Sometimes, the rabbits will also start aggressive biting or jumping. When your bunny is groaning, stay away and leave it alone for some time. It means that the rabbit is feeling irritated at you, and if you are still staying with it, it will show more aggression. While cleaning the rabbit’s fence, you are likely to face this situation. For a rabbit, it looks like you are damaging its home, where it spent plenty of time and effort to adapt itself.
Wailing
The rabbit starts whimpering when it is scared or facing discomfort. When your bunny doesn’t want you to hold it, it will express it by whimpering. Also, when a rabbit is feeling scared with the presence of its hutch mate, it will start sobbing. If you are more worried, you can check the rabbit for injuries or fresh wounds. When the rabbit is in pain, it will start screaming.
When The Rabbit Is Injured Or In Pain, How Do I Know?
Rabbit’s loud screaming is a sign of danger for its life. The screaming sound is similar to a kid’s shout, and it is also a sudden action. You can understand it quickly, as it isn’t a unique sound. When you listen to this type of sound, it is better to go to the bunny as fast as possible. Also, the rabbit produces this noise only when it is facing unbearable pain. When you can’t find any external wound, take your bunny to the veterinarian.
Rabbits have both happy and unhappy sounds. A happy bunny will make a purring sound. Also, you can hear the same sound while caressing your rabbit. Rabbits also purr by thumping their upper and lower teeth together.
Other Crucial Behaviors
When your bunny feels offended by you, it will show its back to you in an intentional manner. Many bunnies decline to even glance at your face and pull both ears to cover their eyes. Hence, you have to add extra effort to make up with the rabbit. If you want the bunny to forgive you, feeding them extra treats and giving more attention is one way. However, you should never forget the fact that bunnies are very stubborn animals.
Low squeal
When the rabbits make this sound, they need you to put them on the ground so that they can run freely.
Chasing
Keep them separately when you notice that two bunnies are chasing each other. Though it looks like the rabbits are having fun, they chase each other to bite.
Restless body and a straight tail
It is a sign of excitement, and you can see it when the rabbit is enjoying its playtime. Give the bunny more time to play, and it will love it!
Rigid sitting posture with ears behind
It is a behavior that a bunny shows to defend and protect itself. During this situation, be cautious and move away from the area.
Watching
The bunnies look at the owners for several reasons. But it is due to their fear, interest, or it is trying to speak with you. If the rabbit is staring at you, there is a crucial reason unless it is sleeping. Bunnies have different eyelids, and they frequently take naps when their eyes are open.
Like humans, bunnies also express their sorry towards each other by rubbing their heads. If they are grooming after patting their heads, it means they approve the apology. Bunnies want to build amends quickly, but they are stubborn, and they acknowledge only a few apologies.
As you know, bunnies have sensitive and expressive ears. When a rabbit has straight up and frozen ears, something catches its attention, and it is attentive to it. If your bunny has frozen and straight-up ears and bangs its paws, then the rabbit is afraid, and it is better to remove the cause of its fear from there.
When you can’t understand a sound that your bunny is constantly making or its behavior, talk to the veterinarian. It is advised not to ignore them and check if the bunny has any external injuries or wounds.