10 Bunny Behaviors Decoded

If you have a bunny, especially if he’s anything like mine, you’ve probably noticed a pretty distinct set of bunny manners. From dancing to grunting to rubbing their little chins on things, rabbits have many ways to let us know what they’re thinking. If you’ve ever wondered what exactly is on your furry friend’s mind, here are ten common bunny behaviors decoded to help you figure it out!

1. Loafing. Sometimes a rabbit will tuck all four feet beneath themselves, slick their ears back, and squint their eyes. Bunnies closely resemble a loaf of bread when they do this, looking comically round. If your bunny is doing this, he feels safe and content. No sign of danger is near. Feel free to kick your feet up as well, because your little friend is relaxed.

2. Thumping or grunting. Watch out for this one. If a bunny stomps his or her foot, he or she senses danger. This will occasionally be followed by a grunt, which means they feels especially threatened. If you’re sure there’s no actual danger around, you can calm your bunny by placing a hand on their head and stroking gently but be wary; a scared rabbit may be more apt to bite, be sure to approach from above to avoid being lunged at.

3. Circling. Running in circles around you is your bunny’s way of getting your attention. He or she might just be looking for affection, but this could also be a signal of hunger, so it might be a good time to check his or her food bowl. This can also be a sign of hormones and wanting to mate, so be careful with young or unfixed rabbits.

4. Chinning. Like cat’s cheeks, bunnies carry scent glands in their chins. If you’ve noticed your bunny rubbing their chin on things throughout your home, it’s safe to assume all of those items are “theirs.” Bunnies rub their scent on things to establish ownership, so if you’ve ever been chinned by your furry friend, know they’ve claimed you as their own.

5. Flopping. You might be alarmed one day to find your bunny flopped over on their side looking limp. Have no fear because this is no cause for stress. Your rabbit isn’t sick or exhausted. In fact, they are completely relaxed. With their legs to the side and little belly exposed, your bunny is feeling worry-free and peaceful.

6. Teeth grinding. This can mean a couple things, so pay close attention if your rabbit does this. If you’re petting your bunny, just gave him a treat, or their pleased for another reason, gentle crunching of the teeth is his way of showing you they are in a good mood. However, if the grinding is much louder and your rabbit is hunched over in an awkward position, this may signal discomfort. If this happens and your bunny shows no interest in food, he or she is probably in some type of pain, so keep an eye on the situation.

7. Kicking back legs out. If you’ve done something your bunny isn’t too keen on, say clipping their nails, you may find that when they hops away from you, they’ll kick their back legs out far behind them. They are deliberately “kicking dirt up” at you to let you know they are not happy. Don’t worry, it’s just a way of letting you know they’re annoyed at the moment.

8. Licking you. Pat yourself on the back for this one, because rabbits lick to show not only deep affection, but also complete trust. Rabbits don’t lick for salt like some animals, so if your little friend is doing this, you really are being showered in bunny kisses.

9. Screaming. This one will probably startle you if it happens, but with good reason. A rabbit will let out an unmistakable high-pitched scream when in extreme pain or distress. Bunnies have other verbal ways of communicating stress, so screams are only used when a rabbit is in complete, unbearable agony. A trip to the vet is immediately required if this happens.

10. Binkying. Does your bunny race around, zigzag randomly, jump wildly, twist in mid air, and otherwise look like he or she is sugar-buzzed? Congratulations, you have a very happy rabbit. Sometimes called dancing, this behavior is common in rabbits who can’t contain their enthusiasm. Give yourself some props as an owner, because your little friend is simply overjoyed.

For critters who can’t speak, bunnies have many ways to let us know what’s on their minds. Pay attention to your bunny’s behaviors and respond accordingly, and you might just find yourself with a constantly binkying bunny on your hands!

How does your bunny let you know what he wants? Leave a comment and let us know!