{"id":556,"date":"2020-04-05T08:43:31","date_gmt":"2020-04-05T08:43:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bunnyparents.com\/?p=556"},"modified":"2024-01-07T15:34:40","modified_gmt":"2024-01-07T15:34:40","slug":"understanding-your-bunnys-behaviour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bunnyparents.com\/understanding-your-bunnys-behaviour\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Your Bunny’s Behaviour"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Imagine if our bunnies could talk to us. Understanding our bunny\u2019s behaviour and mood would be a breeze! Sadly, we are stuck with reading body language and other communication strategies from our furry children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bunnies communicate with us through their behaviour giving us subtle clues to how they are feeling or what they want through body language and noises. Understanding these cues can help us as bunny parents to better understand our bunnies.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some bunny behaviours indicate they are happy, while others may indicate they are sad or want attention. Aggression can also manifest itself as unwanted behaviour and there are some solutions that can help you discourage these behaviours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you recognise some of these behaviours in your bunny?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Happy Bunny Behaviour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Low grunting <\/strong>\u2013 this type of grunt is a sign that your bunny is satisfied and feeling well. Not all bunnies make noises, so don\u2019t think your bunny isn\u2019t happy if they don\u2019t make grunts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teeth purring<\/strong> \u2013 when your bunny is relaxed and content, you will often hear them softly grinding their teeth. At first thought, it may seem like they are having teeth problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this is the bunny version of purring and showing happiness. You\u2019ll likely hear them purr when you are petting and stroking them as they lay flat next to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Binky<\/strong> \u2013 a bunny binky is when they jump in the air with excitement while kicking in the air and shaking their head. Often they will also turn in the air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may seem like your bunny has been startled by something or is scared. But this is their way of expressing happiness and playfulness. If your bunny doesn\u2019t bink, there may be something in their environment that is making them unhappy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flopping<\/strong> \u2013 this is where your bunny tips or throws themselves over onto their side. It is the ultimate sign of trust and feelings of happiness and being comfortable with you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may take many months for your bunny to feel comfortable enough to do this. We swear our bunny knows when we want to take a picture of her when she has flopped as she turns back as soon as the camera is pointed at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grooming themselves<\/strong> \u2013 when this is done with you in their presence, it means your bunny trusts you. They are comfortable enough to ignore their surroundings while the clean themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Licking you<\/strong> \u2013 this is your bunny saying I love you! It can also be your bunny telling you to give them some attention. There are even more signs your bunny loves you in our article \u201cHow Do You Know If Your Bunny Loves You.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Licking the floor directly in front of them<\/strong> \u2013 an indirect way of grooming directed at you. They will also groom any clothing you have lying around. They can smell your scent so it\u2019s their way of grooming you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tail held high<\/strong> \u2013 an act of excitement. Usually for a new toy or from another bunny friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Running circles around your feet<\/strong> \u2013 this is usually paired with continuous grunting. It is a mating behaviour and can happen even if your bunny is neutered. It is a sign that he loves you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unhappy Bunny Behaviour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Low squealing <\/strong>\u2013 a very soft noise that you can only hear when you are close like teeth grinding. This is usually a sign that the bunny doesn\u2019t want to be pet anymore and wants to be left alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loud teeth grinding <\/strong>\u2013 look out for loud grinding of the teeth especially when it is paired with a hunched over position as this is a sign that your bunny is in a lot of pain. Call your vet immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Showing you their bum<\/strong> \u2013 the bunny equivalent of flipping the bird. They feel insulted or displeased and want you to know it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kicking backward<\/strong> \u2013 your bunny is protesting. Similar to the reason your bunny might be exposing their bum to you. They feel displeased about something you\u2019ve done. It could be something as simple as having a dirty litter box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shaking the head<\/strong> \u2013 likely means your bunny is irritated or has been disturbed. She may sense an unknown odour or has had enough of grooming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relaxed Bunny Behaviour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Bunloaf <\/strong>\u2013 the loaf is one of the main sleeping positions for a bunny. It\u2019s the most advantageous for when they are relaxing and sleeping but want to be able to quickly run and jump away from danger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When your bunny isn\u2019t fully comfortable in their new environment or with their new owners, they will often sleep in this position. Once they get more comfortable, they will lie flat or flop. You can read more about sleeping positions in our article \u201cDo Bunnies Sleep With Their Eyes Open?\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ignoring<\/strong> \u2013 while it may seem your bunny is being distant from you, it is actually a sign that they trust you. If they are doing their own thing while you are also in the room, it shows they are comfortable and trust you enough to be relaxed. Just like when they groom themselves in front of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scared Bunny Behaviour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Loud screams<\/strong> \u2013 this only happens when a bunny is afraid for its life from a predator or is experiencing a lot of pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: Is CBD Oil Safe For Your Bunny?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thumping<\/strong> \u2013 when a bunny stomps the floor with the hind legs, it\u2019s called thumping. A single thump can be a sign of displeasure similar to kicking backward or showing their bum or being frightened or mad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But multiple thumps can mean a bunny is afraid or alert or feels threatened. This is usually accompanied by the enlarging of the bunny\u2019s pupils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flattened on the ground with ears flat against head and eyes wide open<\/strong> \u2013 this is a bunny hiding. They want to make themselves as small as possible to not appear threatening or is hiding from something and is ready to run away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention Seeking Bunny Behaviour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Presenting <\/strong>\u2013 sticking their head out, putting their chin down, tucking their paws and rubbing themselves against you are all part of presenting. Your bunny getting your attention and is asking to be petted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soft nose nudge<\/strong> \u2013 this is usually a \u201cplease move out of the way so I can chew my wall\u201d or a \u201chello please pet me\u201d nudge. Make sure you reciprocate back and pet your bunny on the head. Your bunny shows they really love you when they rest their nose against you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nipping <\/strong>\u2013 is often a sign of love. Your bunny wants to groom you and make sure you\u2019re clean. It can also be a \u201cget out of my way\u201d nip which should be dealt with appropriately (covered further in this article).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aggressive Bunny Behaviour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Growling <\/strong>\u2013 part of a bunny showing aggressive behaviour. Don\u2019t put your hands out to try to pet them in this situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lunging with ears backward<\/strong> and tail raised \u2013 a sign of aggression. Usually precedes biting. The bunny is defending its territory. It can happen if you intrude on their cage space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Territory Marking Bunny Behaviours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rubbing their chin on various objects<\/strong> \u2013 when we saw our bunny doing this, we thought she had an itchy neck so we would go scratch it for her. Turns out that\u2019s not the case. It\u2019s another way of her marking her territory as bunnies have scent glands under their chins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poops everywhere <\/strong>\u2013 we would wonder why our bunny would jump on our bed and within 2 seconds would unload her rear end on our blankets and sheets. Turns out it\u2019s another way for a bunny to mark their territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitching tail<\/strong> \u2013 this usually happens when a bunny is spraying their urine to make their territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Bunny Behaviours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Continuous grunting<\/strong> \u2013 usually coincides with running circles around your feet. Part of the mating ritual which means your bunny loves you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kicking sideways<\/strong> \u2013 this is usually when a bunny is playing or fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standing on hind legs<\/strong> \u2013 they are being curious about their surroundings. This means they are attentive to what is going on around them and often it\u2019s a bunny looking at what is on a higher surface which can lead to them jumping on top!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Some Reasons For Bunny Aggression?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n