Body Language

Rabbits have a language all their own. Here are some tips on interpreting your bunnies hops, kicks and grunts.

Begging
Rabbits are worse than dogs about begging, especially for sweets. Beware of giving the rabbit treats as overweight rabbits are not as healthy as trim rabbits.

Bunny hop/dance
A sign of pure joy & happiness!

Chinning
Their chin contains scent glands, so they rub their chin on items to indicate that they belong to them. Same as a cat rubbing it's forehead on people and objects.

Circling your feet
Usually indicates sexual behavior. He/She's in love.

Don't touch my stuff
Rabbits often are displeased when you rearrange their cage as you clean. They are creatures of habit and when they get things just right, they like them to remain that way.

False pregnancy
Usually just unspayed females may build a nest & pull hair from their chest & stomach to line the nest. They may even stop eating as rabbits do the day before they give birth.

Grunts
Usually angry, watch out or you could get bit!

Playing
Rabbits like to push or toss objects around. They may also race madly around the house, jump on and off of the couch and act like a kid that's had too much sugar.

Shrill scream
Hurt or dying

Sniffing
May be annoyed or just talking to you

Spraying
Males that are not neutered will mark female rabbits in this manner as well as their territory. Females will also spray.

Stomping
He's frightened, mad or trying to tell you that there's danger (in his opinion).

Teeth Grinding
Indicates contentment, like a cats purr. Loud grinding can indicate pain.

Territory droppings
Droppings that are not in a pile, but are scattered, are signs that this territory belongs to the rabbit. This will often occur upon entering a new environment. If another rabbit lives in the same house this may always be a nuisance.