Is your rabbit resting on its side more often? In this article, we will talk about different types of body language. Plus, we are going to explain what your rabbit is telling through its body language.
If your rabbit is resting on its side most of the time, it implies that your pet is happy. The rabbit is comfortable and is relaxing by staying in that body posture. But, there is a problem if your rabbit is trying to get up from its side but can not. It is a sign which indicates that your pet is feeling ill. During these times, it is best to visit the local vet.
There are still plenty of things you need to understand about the body language of your rabbit. Let’s dive into the in-depth details of why rabbits rest on their side.
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Why Do Your Rabbit Lays On Its Side?
Sometimes, your rabbit might flop down on its side out of nowhere. At that moment, you might be wondering about this new habit in your pet. In short, this is a positive sign of the rabbit being happy. Healthy, active, and happy rabbits will show this behavior, which is called “flopping.” Your rabbit tends to express this kind of behavior after eating plenty of greens. After that, they will be resting inside their pen.
When your rabbit is resting on its side, it may try to wiggle and stretch. A few rabbits tend to turn their eyes to the backside of their head. Though this might look a bit shocking, it is a positive thing.
Rabbits often act like this with each other. If you have more than one rabbit, you might see this kind of habit from time to time. This behavior implies that rabbits are comfortable with each other’s presence.
Laying on their side is one of the most comfortable positions for rabbits. While resting down, your rabbit tends to stretch out its rear legs to its side. If your rabbit is staying in this position for a long time, it is feeling more comfortable.
When a rabbit is relaxing, it may even rest on its back. When the rabbits feel comfortable with their surroundings, they will rest on their back. Sometimes, they will express it by sleeping outside their cell.
Rabbits are territorial animals. If you are coming to them during their relaxing or sleeping time, they might become angry. It is crucial to provide their own space to your rabbit. Make sure not to disturb the pets while they are relaxing. It is because they will bite, charge or be furious at you.
More Signs Of A Healthy Rabbit
Rabbit laying on its side is often a positive thing, which implies that they are healthy. Besides that, there are some other signs, which show that your rabbit is feeling happy and is healthy.
Clear and bright eyes are the first and foremost thing to consider in an active rabbit. If possible, you can pull up their eyelids and check whether the eyelid tissue is pink or not. If your rabbit’s eyelids are deep red, you need to contact the veterinarian. It is because red eyelids indicate inflammation of the eyes. Plus, it is also a symptom of an infection.
Second, it is crucial to have a look at the inside of the rabbit’s ears. The ears of healthy rabbits will be clear and free from dirt and any wax. In general, your rabbit requires occasional cleaning of its ears. All you need to get is a small cotton pad. Now, dip it in a saline solution or lukewarm water and start cleaning their ears. With this method, there would not be any unnecessary dirt buildup.
Next, you need to look out for the bottom of the rabbit’s chin. Your pet possesses a scent gland under its chin. It is critical to check the bottom of the rabbit’s chin to see any kind of excess wax. If you notice any wax formation, trim it out using safe tools. Using lukewarm water to clean the dirt is also a good idea.
Now, check the teeth of your rabbit. Pull their upper lip to the back to get access to their teeth. Be certain that the rabbit’s upper teeth have a similar aligning with its lower teeth. Make sure that they develop a rare overbite.
Sometimes, the rabbit’s front teeth will evolve over its lower teeth, and they will become long. This tooth condition of your rabbit indicates the presence of malocclusion. In simple words, the rabbit tends to have a terrible bite. With this condition, it is not easy for rabbits to eat. Plus, it may lead to severe health issues in the future.
Finally, to keep the rabbit healthy, you need to trim their nails. Before cutting off the rabbit’s nails, it is crucial to find the “quick.” It is one of the nail’s parts which includes blood. After discovering the quick, put your thumb and index finger above it. It is vital to find the quick because you can be sure that you are not trimming their veins.
Signs Of An Unhealthy Rabbit
First of all, almost all unhealthy rabbits tend to become inactive. Plus, they will have a sedentary lifestyle. With an increase in rabbit age, there will be changes in the activity. But all those changes are often gradual rather than immediate.
When the rabbit shows immediate aggression and looks weak, it tries to say that something is bad. Sometimes, the rabbits will lay on their sides and would face difficulty getting up. These are the signs that imply that your rabbit is unhealthy and requires vet care.
Sometimes, your rabbit would not show interest in eating its food. If your pet did not eat its meal for about 12 hours, it could be a red flag for the rabbit’s health. Fiber food is necessary for their diet to prevent several dental dangers.
It is crucial to pay attention and be sensitive to check any changes in the rabbit’s vocalization. There is something wrong with your rabbit if it shows aggressive growling and teeth grinding. These symptoms might also raise your concern levels. Teeth grinding resembles the “purring” sound, but it is much noisier. These signs might tell that your rabbit is in pain.
Another thing that you need to check on your rabbit is its fur. If you notice excess shedding in rabbits, it is a matter of concern. When your rabbit is spending more time grooming itself or scratching, there might be a possible health problem. Losing fur is often linked to the presence of external parasites. Though this might be the reason, there are several other cases why the rabbits are losing their fur.
If you notice any of the above signs in your rabbit, it is crucial to visit the local vet as fast as possible. The veterinarian can help the rabbit to become healthy and active.