Learning to understand your bunny’s day to day behaviour can be a feat in itself; let alone watching out for signs of stress or discomfort. As prey animals, rabbits can be easily spooked or stressed, and, as a result, it can often be difficult to get them to fully trust you. By teaching yourself some key rabbit behaviours and signs to watch out for, you can learn when your bunny is at their happiest or when they need some extra support if they are anxious. It is also important as a bunny owner to watch out for signs of illness, as rabbits will often hide symptoms until they are very ill. Picking up on subtle signs early can be incredibly beneficial to ensure your bunny stays happy and healthy. 

Here is a list of key bunny behaviours to watch out for, so you can understand them and create a fantastic bond. This list is not comprehensive and we would always recommend visiting your vet if your bunny is showing any behaviour that is unusual for them.

Let’s be honest: flops are cute. If you notice your bunny roll onto their side, it means they feel content and safe. The ultimate sign of happiness that is so precious your camera roll is full of pictures of your bunny flopping.

Ever seen a lamb doing an excited jump? Bunnies do exactly the same thing, called a ‘binky’. Binkies mean your bunny is happy and excited: often exhibited when you rustle a packet of treats.

The ultimate excitement behaviour. If you catch your bunny running around like a loon, they often have the zoomies. This means they are feeling playful, energetic, and excited. Can also be combined with happy binkies.

If your bunny looks like a 10/10 bread loaf, they are relaxed and comfortable. They are resting or having a nap, so best not to disturb them. Unless you have treats of course.

If your bunny stamps their back foot on the ground to create a ‘thump’ then this often means they are unsure about something. Maybe they heard a strange noise they don’t like. In the wild, this behaviour is used to warn other rabbits of danger. However, in domestic rabbits, thumping can mean other things as well. It could mean that your bunny wants attention or they are annoyed. It can also be a territorial behaviour to claim an area and warn others that it is theirs. The best way to determine what type of thump they are exhibiting is to see what other behaviours they are showing simultaneously. Did you just pick them up? They are thumping because they are annoyed with you. Was there a loud bang? Most likely anxious. Did you forget to feed them at 7am on the dot? They are demanding food now.

Your bunny just turned away from you and ran whilst flicking their back feet. They are showing their displeasure with you, in other words, do better.

If you are giving your bunny a nice head rub and they grind their teeth: this means they are in bliss. This a soft, rhythmic clicking, often referred to as ‘purring’. However, if the grinding is loud, harsh, and sounds like clicking then it could mean that your bunny is in pain.

If your bunny is attempting to press their stomach against the floor awkwardly then this could be stomach pressing. This often indicates they are experiencing abdominal discomfort, such as gas. It is a common sign of GI stasis, often alongside refusing to eat and lethargy. If they are exhibiting a combination of these symptoms then do always take them to the vet.

If your bunny is sitting in a hunched position, it can often be a sign of pain or discomfort. It can often be quite difficult to tell, as it is very similar to loafing. However, if they are also exhibiting symptoms such as stomach pressing, refusing food, squinted eyes, or teeth grinding then this means your bunny is in pain and needs to visit a vet.

Rabbits often ‘rear up’ when they are curious and observing their surroundings. Maybe they are trying to see whether you are holding a pack of treats or they’ve seen something else they are interested in.

If you haven’t given your bunny some attention in a while then they may nudge you with their nose to demand some fuss. It can also mean that you are where they want to be and you need to move out of their way asap.

Has your bunny even rubbed their chin on a toy or maybe a piece of furniture? This means that this is now their property. Dibs.

Maybe you’ve watched them licking their friend or maybe they have even licked you. Licking is a sign of affection in rabbits and if they ever lick you then it means you are doing something right.

Sounds no bunny owner ever wants to hear. Growling and screaming mean that your bunny is very unhappy. They can be warnings to stay away, that your bunny is very stressed, or they are in severe pain.

If both your bunny’s ears are pointing straight forward then this can be a sign that they are curious and interested in what is going on. 

If your bunny lunges at you with their ears back then this is a sign they are annoyed or territorial. Often a warning that they are going to bite you if you continue to irritate them.

Maybe they are loafed or flopped and their eyes + ears twitch or their teeth grind a little. This means they are sleeping, dreaming of banana.

Maybe you’ve heard your bunny doing a little honk or a series of them. Some bunnies honk when they are eating food, have gotten a treat, or are being stroked. This often means they are excited and happy.

You’ve given your bunny a banana and their bum is twitching as they eat it. This means the banana is absolutely delicious. More please

There are many other behaviours that your bunny may exhibit and it is also important to note that each bunny is different, so may show different behaviours and vocalisations. Context is always key and it is always best to observe your bunny so you get to know their common behaviours and noise, so you know if something is out of character or unusual. If your bunny ever shows signs of pain then do take them to see a vet.