Bunny Body Language: What Your Rabbit is Trying to Tell You

Did you ever ask yourself what your bunny is wiggling his nose about, or that he is hopping about with excitement? Rabbits like any other animal have their own method of communication. Acquiring bunnies body language is critical to establishing a stronger relationship with your pet and being happy. Whether they are tossing about in the air, or uselessly nudging you, or sitting upright and flicking back their ears, your rabbit is always relaying a message to you on the way they feel.

We will show you how your bunny expresses himself in a number of ways in this guide. Understand the meaning of their body language and behavior to turn out to be more sensitive to their needs.

Alert

You know when your rabbit has his ears on the alert they will stick up and freeze. This is a common behavior that is accompanied at the time they feel something new or even something that can harm them. It could be a noise that you can no longer hear, or something new in the room, but the sharp hearing and instinct in your bunny makes him or her particularly sensitive on their surroundings. They will be angled forward with their ears and they might even be on their hind legs making them ready to spring into action in case they are required.

Binky

It is an especially charming attribute of a bunny to bounce into the air giving a twistingly binky. This is a very definite sign of a happy, jumping rabbit, pleased and full of vitality. It is their personal rejoicing of joy! When you see your rabbit performing a mini binky, or twisting themselves where they are without entirely leaving the ground it is still evidence of excitement though not as much as a full binky.

Boxy Stance

A rabbit can get onto the hind paws and raise the front paws as a defensive gesture, or possibly an act of aggression. This is referred to as the boxy posture, and this normally occurs in case of threat to a bunny or when establishing dominance. When your rabbit starts to grow, leap over the cage or even strike you, it means that it is time to give it its space. This is not to be confused with cuteness, it is a direct message to protect their space, or to feel safe, by their bunny.

Butt Twitching

Have you not seen your rabbit twitching or vibrating at the back side when he eats something that he enjoys? This little action is an indication that rabbit is very happy. Twitching of butt is usually observed when they are having a snack or when they are excited or when they are in a comfortable setting. It is a funny yet cute indicator of their happiness.

Cautious Movements

A wary bunny is going slowly and in a sure way. When they are near unfamiliar objects or places, their ears are turned forward, and they appear to creep slowly around them. They will have their tail down probably and will freeze frequently to see what is about. This is so particularly just when the rabbit is getting into new space or when it is in a new environment. They will be inclined to run away in case something will seem wrong, so one should monitor their movements to notice any indications of worry.

Chewing

The teeth of rabbits continue to grow constantly during their life period, and it is because of the same that they feel the need to chew. When your bunny is chewing on your furniture, boards, and even electrical wires, then it is not that he or she is being naughty, he is just being a rabbit. In order to avoid harm, make sure safe chew toys are provided and bunny-proof your house to save your possessions.

Chin Rubbing

As your rabbit runs round rubbing his chin on things or even on you, it is an indication that they are marking out their territory. The rabbits use certain glands under their chin that they use during rubbing on any surface to leave behind the scent. It is an indication that your bunny feels at home and is safe as well as being usually a means of it showing that it owns where it is. When they stroke their chin on you, they mean that you belong to them.

Circling

When your bunny begins to go round and round around your feet, or even jumping through them, it is an expression of love and interest. This is often accompanied with some honking noises as that indicates that your rabbit is in a playful mood and wants to entertain you. Laparosion is a typical activity of your bunny when he or she is looking forward to a snack, which is why you need to be on the lookout of the endearing habit when having some delicious foods.

Cold Shoulder

Rabbits can hold grudges, and when they get annoyed (such as after you trim their nails or bathe them), they become angry and immediately refuse to associate with you. The behavior is usually in the form of cold shoulder as you will have your bunny turn their back to you and fail to notice you. Although it might seem like they are being in an uncivilized way, they are only trying to show discontent. All you need to do is provide them with time, and they tend to forgive you.

Confident Bunny

A self-assured bunny will be secure about his or her surroundings. Their position is natural, slightly forward, and their body language relaxes. When your bunny is sitting or lying in a comfortable posture with a lot of confidence, it is an indication that it is a safe and secure place. Bunnies with self-confidence will be more open to interacting with you or exploring new spaces of their territory.

Curious Exploration

Rabbits are very curious, and you can observe this when they take their time to inspect new things that come along and are excited about them twitching the nose. Their ears will be placed in advance and they will sniff, explore and evaluate the new environment slowly. Rabbits are inquisitive animals by nature and by their actions, it must be seen that they are attempting to learn better about the world around them.

Digging

The rabbits are digging animals. They dig at the end of the room or in their sleeping place, but in any case, this behavior reflects a natural instinct developed by their wild ancestors.

Although digging is natural for bunnies, you can minimize floor and furniture damage by providing harmless forms of digging, such as cardboard boxes or digging mats made of specific materials.

Flattening

The rabbit is submitting or scared when he or she lies flat on the ground with the length of the body stretched. This pose typically appears when a rabbit feels threatened or faces a stronger rabbit. It should however be noted that there are instances when rabbits will flatten themselves merely to have a rest and relax. It is a comfortable pose of some bunnies, when they are quite sure about their position.

Grooming

Bunnies are so neat, and they waste much of their time in washing themselves. They will have to lick their back and ears, and stick out their tongue and clean the face, and roll their head around to clean their back. Your bunny shows relaxed and happy behavior by grooming. It is a normal occurrence in their daily lives, and it is fascinating to observe.

Hard Nudge

When your bunny pushes you with his/her nose, then it is time to move. When someone gives you a hard nudge, he is often indicating bullying you to move aside, particularly when you are standing in his/her line. There are those bunnies who will rub stubbornly and in case you do not stir, they will either bang their way or make a cordial nip to get what they want.

Hunched Position

A rabbit can sit hunchbacked, trying to squint with its eyes, to indicate that all is not well. When your bunny sits in this posture over an extended period of time this may mean that there is a digestive problem or other health problems. When you see your rabbit bent over, for a long time, you should watch the eating and pooping patterns but also take the rabbit to the vet in case it does not improve.

Licking

Rabbits lap one another with their tongue, and they can also lick you as an expression of love. When your bunny licks your arms or hands it means that your bunny is concerned about you. One of the bonding behaviors is licking and it is one way that bunnies use to show that they trust and love you. They can also lick something occasionally as a way of marking their territory, or as they like the flavor of something.

Loafing

Loafing is a pose to the rabbit, and all the rabbit does is to huddle down into a small, round, shape with the paws up in front of the body and the tail curled round in the back. The rabbits find a snug spot where they can rest, especially during the colder times of the year, ensuring that your bunny is at ease and in repose. You can even see your bunny loafing during their rest or sleep.

Lunging

Rabbits can either experience threat or territorialism should their rabbit jump at you or the item. They usually bob in and out cowering behind their ears and with their tail up. This is an act of defense, which indicates that they have to defend their space. Mostly it is a warning and not an aggressive act and your bunny can stop when he has made his point.

Nipping

Your rabbit nipping you is always kind of calling attention to you, and I am sure he is not going to hurt you. When a rabbit bites you, it is probable that they want you to go, to give them a treat or to stop doing something that irritates them. The bunny bites you often, you have to correct this behavior by gently saying no and redirecting the behavior in more acceptable behavior.

Periscoping

He or she is periscoping when his or her bunny is on his or her hind legs so that he or she can see more of the surrounding world. Such curious behavior would be common when there was something that a rabbit was not able to touch or when such a rabbit was requesting a morsel of food. It is an attractive cute thing that demonstrates your bunny is willing to discover more about the world around him.