You may have noticed some frequent and sometimes interesting behaviors that your rabbit displays. Believe it or not, these behaviors are actually ways in which your bun is communicating their feelings.
So, what are these behaviors? And what do they mean? Should you be concerned?
Let’s take a look at the most common rabbit behavior and why your bunny might be doing them.
Common Rabbit Behaviors
Teeth Grinding
Bunnies sometimes grind their teeth — but there can be two meanings of this behavior. Quiet teeth grinding, especially when you’re petting them or giving them attention, can signify contentment and happiness. They may be relaxed and laying down.
However, louder, more frequent teeth grinding can actually be a sign of pain. Your rabbit may also be sat in a tense, hunched position if they are in discomfort. If you think your rabbit’s teeth grinding is because of pain, get your vet to check your bun over.
Circling
You may sometimes find that your rabbit circles your feet. This is a sign that they are ready to mate. It may be accompanied by a honking noise.
If your rabbit is spayed or neutered, you don’t need to worry. They are just showing their affection and love for you! However, if not, it might be time to get them fixed.
Flopping
Flopping can seem a little concerning if you don’t know what it means. However, when your rabbit flops over onto their side and lays there, this is a sign of contentment. They feel safe and happy enough to have a little snooze!
Binkying
If you’ve never seen your rabbit binky before, you might wonder why they have suddenly jumped into the air. Are they scared?
Actually, this is a sign of pure happiness. When your rabbit binkies, they jump up into the air and twist their bodies, kicking their feet out!
Sometimes binkyng can seem to come out of nowhere, while at other times your rabbit might take a run up, jump in the air and binky a few times in succession! Just remember that when you see your bun doing this, it means they’re excited, content and full of energy — so you’re doing a great job as a bunny owner!
Chinning
Rabbits rub their chin on objects to make their territory. This is because their chin has special scent glands, so they are essentially claiming the objects they chin as their own!
If your rabbit chins you, they’re just trying to let any other bunnies know that you are theirs, and theirs only. They love you!
Eating Poop
If you catch your rabbit eating their poop, you might be totally grossed out. However, this is actually a very normal behavior for these animals.
Rabbits produce two kinds of poop — the dry pellets you’ll see in their litter tray, and softer, squishier poop that looks a little like a bunch of grapes. This squishier poop is called cecotrope and bunnies usually eat cecotrope right after they have produced it.
While to humans this is pretty disgusting, is a completely normal part of the rabbit digestive system and this behavior shouldn’t be discouraged. This poop provides nutrients that are important in keeping their insides working normally!
It is important to note that even though your rabbit ingests cecotrope, their behind shouldn’t be poopy and messy. If it is, check out our article on poopy butt to ensure your rabbit doesn’t have any health issues.
Urine Marking
If your rabbit is peeing around your house, make sure you have a litter box set up and they know how to use it and when they should. Read here about litter training your rabbit.
However, if the act of peeing feels more deliberate, its on your personal items or furniture, and they already know how to use their litter box, they might be trying to mark their territory. Essentially, they are trying to show you who is in charge!
Ensuring your rabbit is spayed/neutered is important in preventing this behavior. You can also block off areas (such as the couch) so they can’t reach them, showing them you are the boss!
Biting
There are two main types of biting your rabbit can display: nipping and actual biting.
Nipping is not meant to harm or hurt you, and is simply a way for your rabbit to get your attention. It might follow a nudge from your rabbit’s nose. Your bun can’t talk, so they might lightly nip you to let you know that you need to play with them or give them a pet!
Biting, on the other hand, can be a sign of aggressive behavior. This is usually a sign that you are in your bun’s territory and then don’t want you there. You may have put your hand in your rabbit’s hutch or touched their food or belongings. Ensuring your rabbit is spayed or neutered can reduce territorial behavior.
If your bun is bonded to another rabbit but is suddenly biting them, this may be a sign they have reached sexual maturity. In fact, your two bunnies are simply working out who is boss and who has dominance — and you have to let them do this.
Keep an eye on them during this period. If one rabbit becomes too aggressive towards the other, separate them. You may have to try bonding your bunnies from the beginning again.
Honking
Honking is often accompanied by circling. This noise shows you that your bunny is excited (sometimes sexually excited) and happy.
Licking
Rabbits lick to groom, which is a way of showing affection. You will see a pair of bonded bunnies licking each other, and you might even find your bun wants to lick you too. This is another way in which they are letting you know they love you.
Kicking Feet Up
If your rabbit kicks their feet up at you as they hop away from you, this signifies they are not happy with you! In the wild, they would be kicking dirt up into another animal’s face.
You might find your rabbit kicks their feet up at you if you have picked them up when they didn’t want to be, or if you have spent some time grooming them. Don’t take it too hard — they’ll love you again in no time!
Digging
Digging is one of the most common rabbit behaviors. You might find they dig at your carpet, your couch, your favorite rug, your lawn…or anything they can get their paws on!
Digging is hardwired into rabbits and something they do in the wild to help trim down their nails. This isn’t a behavior you can prevent — asking your bun to stop digging is like asking them to stop being a bunny!
However, you can provide solutions so they don’t ruin your most prized possessions. Give them a digging box to play with, which will satisfy their digging needs and keep them entertained.
You may also find your rabbit digs at your legs when you’re sat on the ground, or at your chest if you’ve picked them up. This is a way to get your attention — either “play with me!” or “put me down”!
Thumping
Rabbits thump their back paws when they sense their is danger around. This is to warn other rabbits in the area that there might be something out there.
Nudging
Nudging is a rabbit’s way of trying to get your attention. If you’re not looking at them, playing with them, or devoting your time to them, they’ll give you a nudge to remind you that they’re there and need some love!
