Learn Your Pet Rabbit's Body Language

By Michelle L Devon (Michy), published Apr 23, 2007
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Bunnies and rabbits have a very unique way of communicating, both with each other and the humans in their world. Unlike cats or dogs, pet rabbits are not very vocal, so learning to read your pet rabbit or bunny's body language is important if you want a happy bunny rabbit.

Thumping

A rabbit will thump his hind foot in order to warn of danger. If your rabbit is thumping his hand foot, he is trying to tell you that he senses a danger, such as a cat at the door, a noise he doesn't recognize, or it may simply be he is scared of something, and wants to warn you of that danger too. Thumping is a communication tool, so if your bunny is thumping his foot, you can know he loves you and is trying to protect and warn you of the danger he senses.

Jumping

Rabbits can jump pretty high, straight up into the air or at an angle, as a means of expressing joy and happiness. They may do this repeatedly when excited. Unfortunately, rabbits don't always watch where they land, so be sure if your rabbit becomes excited and starts jumping that he has a soft and safe place to land.

Periscope Style Standing

Bunnies will often stand straight up on their back legs and look around at the world, much like a periscope on a ship. If your rabbit is standing on his back legs, straight and tall, chances are he is curious and wants to observe more that's going on around him. Bunny rabbits will also stand in the periscope look to make themselves appear taller, as well as to take treats from you when they can't reach them.

Squealing Rabbit

If your rabbit makes a squealing noise, especially since rabbits are not vocal by nature, chances are your rabbit is in pain and should be attended to immediately. If your rabbit will not stop squealing, or continues to squeal or whimper at intervals, you should consider a small animal veterinarian to see if he is injured.

Grunting Rabbit Noises

Grunting can mean two different things. A low, soft grunt, especially if the bunny rabbit if circling around and around, can be a playing noise, indicating the bunny is happy and playing with you.

 
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Learn Your Pet Rabbit's Body Language
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My pet bunny rabbit, Rex the Funny Bunny.

Credit: Michelle L Devon

Copyright: Michelle L Devon

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Takeaways
  • Rabbits are sweet, funny pets if you know how to care for them.
  • Bunnies are comical, fun, and communicate in non verbal ways.
  • Rabbits don't always like to be touched or handled, so they may crouch down and hide.
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I'm feeling really nervous and looking for advise---- my little Timmie, a dwarf rex, 8 yrs old---- has been making a sqealing noise. I noticed that when it started a few days ago, it was very infrequent, so I assumed it would be something that would pass. My impression was that he almost sounded like he was trying to push, in order to make a bowel movement. But in the last 24 hours, his little squeals have become so much more frequent (probably one squeal per every minute or two) that he almost looks like he's gasping in pain. I think his breathing is "ok" just from judging by his whiskers still moving and he's not making heavy breathing noises. And also----- he seems to stop making the gasp noises when i pick him up and hold him. But I'm so scared because I've googled rabbit gasps, and although there is not much written on it, the 2 statements regarding rabbit gasps refer to a rabbit that is most likely in pain. I'm really worried because I don't know if I should take him to

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Posted on 03/23/2008 at 5:03:36 AM

 
It's great to hear that I'm not alone, my 10 mth old male Mini Lop rabbit 'Floppy' has always liked running around our legs, but for the past week or so he's been going mental running around my feet. I thought that he may like my yellow crocs, as he follows them everywhere. But then yesterday when he was going crazy running around and around, my husband picked him up and he had an erection, I was in shock. Is this normal?

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Posted on 03/02/2008 at 3:03:59 AM

 
I didn't know all of those things. Our pastor's wife is a teacher at a Christian school and has owned rabbits which she keeps in her classroom during the school week and brings home during the weekends and vacations. Next time I see her bunny I'll watch for those signs of communication. I had a doe back when I was in about fifth grade. My parents didn't realize until she got pregnant that the rabbits they got for my brother and me were male and female. Oops! But the little ones were cute. Great article. I gave it a 5.

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Posted on 02/19/2008 at 8:02:32 AM

 
rabbits dont pass gas, but if you mean poops, they do poo out some glossy poop threads, smaller poop peas clinging to each other. This is what they eat later to get all the vitamins/nutrients their digestive system missed the first time. Its important that you allow them to eat it. : )

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Posted on 02/11/2008 at 5:02:50 PM

 
he probably had a heart attack. My 8 yr old rabbit did the same thing, he hadn't eatten or drank all day, I force fed him that day. Later that night while I was carrying him (to give support) he gave a big squeal, his eyes weren't moving. I thought he was dead but his eye twitched. I held onto him until he gave 3 more bigger squeals he flipped right out of my arms in bed + died. He defecated + urinated thats when I knew he was gone. Its very heartbreaking + you know there isn't anything you can do. Peanut, would give a kiss for every one he got. He was my baby. I also lost 3 rabbits to a stroke, had to put 2 of them down. Where I live it isn't treatable. : (

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Posted on 02/11/2008 at 5:02:30 PM

 
Have a mini lop named Patrick (Paddy) best pet ever indoors outdoors, toilet trained. lies by your feet like a dog on his side, awesome. The more info out there the better

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Posted on 10/18/2007 at 7:10:00 AM

 
My rabbbit charles likes to rub his chin on stuff he also poots is that a bad thing but i like the article

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Posted on 09/23/2007 at 9:09:00 PM

 
I had a (boy) rabbit for 11 yrs. He was a great Bunny, we were very close, I kinda treated him like a baby, so his diet was very good, though he loved his treats. The night he passed away, he screamed/squealled, I came running to him, and stayed with him until the end. It was heartbreaking. I'd like to think that he just didn't want to be alone. I loved him very much, and I think he loved me too. He had a good life, I will never have another friend/pet like that again, he was one of a kind. I will always remember him.

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Posted on 07/15/2007 at 11:07:00 PM

 
My bunny Spaz and I couldn't agree more with your article (mark one more reason to love Michelle). One thing that I would like to add is if your male bunny runs tight circles around you it could also mean that he's trying to court you. I read it once in a bunny book and didn't believe it but when Spaz had to get (gasp) castrated because of testicular cancer, he stopped doing the circles. Still my little love bunny though!

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Posted on 06/03/2007 at 10:06:00 PM

 
Bunnies are awsomee! Rock on little dudes XD

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Posted on 05/12/2007 at 7:05:00 PM

 
This is such a great article. I had a rabbit for a little while after rescuing him from someone who was just gonna let him loose in the desert. I had him for a month in a small apartment before finding him a good home with a backyard where he could run around. He was so cute and I wanted to keep him but he kept peeing on me and leaving pellets everywhere! lol Cute picture!

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Posted on 04/30/2007 at 6:04:00 AM

 
I had a rabbit named Pepper many years ago. He was the best pet. This article made me remember how he always used to thump so loudly and I never knew why he was doing that! Excellent article.

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Posted on 04/25/2007 at 6:04:00 PM

 
Great information for rabbit owners to help us get to know and understand our rabbits. Thanks.

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Posted on 04/25/2007 at 1:04:00 PM

 
This makes me want to have a pet rabbit.

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Posted on 04/25/2007 at 4:04:00 AM

 
awww, rex is so cutey!

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Posted on 04/24/2007 at 7:04:00 PM

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