Sniffing: May be annoyed or just talking to you
Grunting: Usually angry, watch out or you could get bitten
Shrill scream: This is a very bad sign. Your bunny is terrified, hurt, or dying.
Circling your feet: This usually indicates sexual or hormonal behaviour. The bunny is in love! Though sometimes bunnies do this when very excited, like when you are about to feed them.
Spraying: Males that are not neutered will mark female rabbits in this manner. They will mark their territory and you as well. Some females will also spray. Use white vinegar to clean up. See our section on Litter Training.
Chinning: Bunnies' chins contains scent glands, which they use to mark their territory, you and all things that they deem to be theirs. Think of it as your bunny going on his or her rounds, marking everything as 'mine, mine, mine....'
False pregnancy: Usually just unspayed females will build a nest by pulling out belly hair to line a nest. They may even stop eating as truly pregnant rabbits do a day before birth.
Binkies: These are big, joyful, ridiculous hops that express pure bunny happiness.
Flopping: This is another indication of super-duper happiness and contentedness. It can also lead to owner heart attacks because the bunny can look so flopped it seems dead!
Begging: Rabbits are worse than dogs about begging. Especially for treats. Avoid indulging them too much. An overweight rabbit is not as healthy as a trim rabbit.
Territorial droppings: Droppings that are not in a pile, but are scattered are signs that this territory belongs to this rabbit. It is a form of marking and will often occur upon entering a new environment. If two rabbits live in the same house there may always be some problem with this.
Playing: Rabbits like to push or toss things around. They may also race madly across the room, jump up on the couch and bound over the top of you. They are just having fun.
Annoyed redecorating: Rabbits are creatures of habit, when you rearrange their things they often are displeased. They get things arranged just right and want them to stay that way.
Stomping: When rabbits are frightened or mad, they can stomp or thump. This can be quite loud. The bunny is often trying to warn you of danger (though what your bunny considers 'dangerous' may often amuse you).
Tooth grinding: This is how bunnies purr. When You are petting your bunny and he or she starts chomping his or her teeth together, first just a few times, and often then rapidly, you have one happy bunny on your hands! NOTE however that bunnies can also grind their teeth loudly when they are in pain. You will be able to easily tell the difference, as a bunny in pain will behave very differently than a 'purring' bunny.
Signs something is seriously wrong
Your rabbit is limp, floppy and cold
Difficulty breathing
Flystrike – maggots visible on back end
Severe diarrhoea
Grinding teeth loudly
Fitting
Loss of weight
See your vet immediately, as an emergency, if your rabbit has any of the above symptoms.
Other signs all is not well
It is extremely important to monitor your rabbit closely.
When to seek advice from your vet depends on you and your expertise & also down to how well you know your rabbit and your rabbits health history.
If you are unsure what to do contact your vet asap.
The first few hours are crucial! Rabbits can go down hill very quickly, especially if they are not eating!
Difference in behaviour
Doesn’t come to greet you
Not interested in food
Hunched up
Hiding/sitting in a corner
Not drinking/Drinking too much
Sitting in same place all day
Laying down and getting up again quickly
Diarrhoea
No droppings in tray
Lets you pick them up when usually they don’t
Watery/creamy eyes
Wet nose / discharge / sneezing.
