What do rabbits think of humans?

What Is My Rabbit Thinking Of?

Out of all the different types of domestic Pets in Singapore, we’ve got to admit that small animals are the toughest to read for any novice. Being a prey animal in the wild, Rabbits are often wary of their surroundings all the time, explaining why it requires quite a bit of time and effort to gain their trust. Yet at the same time, these factors have sparked our interest in learning more about their behaviour!

As compared to a Dog or a Cat, Rabbits are often regarded as pretty stationary creatures (so wrong!) Though they are slightly less vocal, they are by no means unexpressive, and if you don’t believe us, this basic guide is going to surprise you! A good start to begin figuring out your Bunny’s behaviour is splitting them into two main components, body Language, and the sounds they make that go hand in hand with these actions. We are going to split these into different moods and what you can expect from your Bunpal!

P.S. Stay tuned for an Easter Surprise at the end of this article ☺

Bunny Happiness & Contentment

Isn’t it an intriguing thought to even imagine that Bunnies actually express themselves when they are happy? Yes they can indeed! Now this ought to change your mind about Rabbits being stationary all the time ☺

Binky

The first sign of happiness you should be just as happy to spot! Your Bunny is going to display a quick dance consisting of hops, twists, and jumps in midair. (Don’t worry, your Bun isn’t going nuts), It’s just overjoyed, and you must have done a wonderful job bringing it so much comfort and happiness.

Bunny Flop!

Imagine coming home from a hard day’s work, heading to the bed and flopping onto your side. Now picture your Bun doing the same, only for this instance, its happy and comfortable enough to show you some floppin’ around ☺

A very calm and relaxed Rabbit isn’t tough to spot, they could either be sitting down with legs tucked under their bodies (universal sign of a calm furball), and if they are extremely relaxed, it will be evident from the way they lay on the ground, with all front legs pointed forward and hind legs sprawled out sideways, or pointed backwards.

Happy Sound

Cats aren’t the only ones that purr, that’s right, our hoppy friends can “purr” too! The sound emitted by Bunnies when they are enjoying your pets and strokes are made by clicking their teeth, and its fondly referred to as a Rabbit’s purr. You know your Bunny is feeling blissful when you hear this ☺

Listen in close for this!

Bunny Love

Anyone that claimed Rabbits do not show affection obviously have never spent a good amount of time with them before. This is because Bunnies have an array of ways they show their affection, and here are a few obvious ones you might wanna look out for!

Let Me Groom You!

One of the most universal sign that shows acceptance from a Rabbit is when they start grooming each other. So you may experience some nipping, or licking when you are holding your precious Bun (they’re not trying to eat you). It’s their way of saying “you are family now, let me groom you too!”

You Are Mine

Another form of acceptance is when you see Bunnies rubbing their chins on each other, or on you. Like other furry companions, Rabbits have scent glands too, and theirs would be located underneath their chins. Were you “marked” before? ☺

Can I Have Your Attention Please?

Rabbit Owners have also shared a similar experience of their Buns nudging them with their little noses, and this is be a rather subjective action, it could either mean they are yearning for your attention (don’t neglect your Bunnies!) or you could be in their way, so move along!

Bunny Anger & Displeasure

Now that we’ve covered the basics of a Rabbit’s happy behaviour, it’s just as necessary to know when your Bun is upset or angry. That brings us to the following segment of body language and sounds to note when your Rabbit is “hopping” mad!

Thumper!

When we humans get sooooo angry, we often have the urge to kick something, and this applies to our Buns as well! Just think of how high Rabbits can jump, can you imagine the strength those hind legs behold!? There is absolutely no way you’d miss a thump, it can be heard rather easily! Thumping can also be another way Rabbits warn surrounding bunny pals of any eminent danger nearby.

Back Off!

As a prey, powerful hind legs and speed aren’t the only defence mechanisms of a Rabbit. Judging by the size of those teeth that are ever-growing and jaws that are always munching, you don’t wanna be near those biters when they are mad, give an angry Bun some space, because (everybunny) just needs a little time to calm down and feel safe.

Siren

When a Rabbit is terrified or in extreme pain, there is a high chance you’ll hear them scream. We hope no Bunny parent ever has to hear this cry from their Buns, and to be honest, we’ve only heard this cry in a video that showed inhumane extraction of fur from Angora Rabbits.

A milder form of noise Rabbits might make when they are displeased can be described as a low growl/grunt. This noise could be accompanied by short lunges and it could happen when you are shifting their things, or cleaning their space when they are around. You can try to calm them down by putting your hand gently on their heads, or letting them roam safely elsewhere while you clean their space!

After all, not everyone fancies their parents touching their stuffs, right? ☺

Remember to leave a comment on our Facebook post, so we know who you are! Also, make sure your posts are NOT private, otherwise we wouldn’t be able to see them ☺

The Best of Luck to Everyone!

9 Things to Know Before Getting a Pet Rabbit

Rabbits are adorable critters, but they’re a lot of responsibility and require plenty of care.

• Georgia State University
• Young Harris College

Noel Kirkpatrick is an editor and writer based in Tacoma, Washington. He covers many topics, including animals, science, and the environment.

Updated November 10, 2022

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• Wildlife
• Pets
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• Endangered Species

Rabbits are pretty much the cutest thing. With their iconic ears, hoppy legs, and twitchy noses, it’s understandable that plenty of people would want one as a pet.

But as with any pet, bringing a rabbit home requires preparation and knowledge about what you’re getting into. This is especially true for rabbits. Most of us know what to expect when we get a cat or a dog, more or less, but caring for a rabbit isn’t something we just know. This could explain why rabbits are the third most surrendered animal to shelters, according to PETA.

Rabbits are intelligent and can be taught to use a litter box and to follow basic commands, even perform little tricks like give high-fives and kisses. All of this requires proper training, which means you have to be a consistent, conscientious owner if your experience is going to be successful. Armed with some knowledge, however, you can be prepared to care for a rabbit—or, well, rabbits, but more on that in a moment.

Rabbits Can Live for 10 to 12 Years

This may be the most important thing to know when it comes to rabbits since they require a sizable degree of daily and weekly care over the course of their lives. Given how long they live, it’s a good bit of work that’s more than just feeding and picking up after their poop. It’s an especially big commitment if a rabbit is given to a child as a pet and then that child goes off to college and now that rabbit is the parent or guardian’s responsibility. And speaking of children .

They Aren’t Great Pets for Kids

Yes, every kid would love a hoppy little bunny to call their own, but the rabbit may be less thrilled with a small kid as their primary caretaker. Rabbits are prey animals, as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) notes, and as such, they’re easily startled by loud noises and lurching movements. Picking up rabbits is also a no-go as it may make them think they’ve been grabbed by a predator. The HSUS strongly advises that parents or guardians wait until kids are older before the family adopts a rabbit.

They Like Being With Other Rabbits

Rabbits are social animals that rely on one another to survive in the wild. A rabbit by itself must be alert at all times for potential predators, but if there’s another rabbit about, that spreads the responsibility around. And since rabbits only speak rabbit, it helps them feel immensely more safe if there’s another rabbit about. Related to this, spaying and neutering your rabbit is a good call if you’re going to have two rabbits, but it’s generally smart even if you’re going to stick to one rabbit.

Rabbits Need Exercise and Room to Roam

PetMD recommends a solid four hours of exercise a day for rabbits, which basically means that leaving them cooped up in a cage all day isn’t the best idea. Exercise for rabbits, like for humans, helps with overall health, including digestion, and mental health, and why wouldn’t you want a happy rabbit?

If you have the space, a whole room just for your rabbit is probably a great idea, as it gives them plenty of room to run to and fro. If you don’t have the space, then the cage or container holding your rabbit needs to be five times the size of the rabbit at minimum, according to the HSUS, and this includes on a vertical level so the rabbit can stand up on its hind legs without bumping its head. Multi-tiered containers are also recommended. The rabbit’s area will need to be spruced up every day and cleaned once a week.

You can harness-train your rabbit and take it for walks outside. Some owners take their rabbits on trails or to the beach for extra special experiences. It’s a guaranteed conversation-starter with people you meet along the way.

You’ll Need to Rabbit-Proof Your Home

If you don’t have the space for a dedicated rabbit room or a large cage, giving your rabbit free rein of the living area may be your only option, and that means preparing the rest of the home. Rabbits’ teeth never stop growing, so they love chewing on everything, including furniture and cables. Plastic tubing around cables will take care of that chew temptation, or taping the wires up and out of the rabbit’s reach will also work. As for wood furniture or baseboards, Best Friends Animal Society recommends wood or plastic coverings to protect furniture, cardboard barriers around chair legs or chewing deterrent sprays, like Grannick’s Bitter Apple. Also helpful? Making sure your rabbit has plenty of safe and chew-friendly toys as alternatives.

They Need More Than Carrots

The common conception is that rabbits will just nosh on vegetables all day long, and some might want to do that, but providing your rabbit with a varied but healthy diet is important. Hay or grass should make up the bulk of their diet, according to the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF), with fresh vegetables providing a smaller portion of their intake. These vegetables can include kale, broccoli, romaine lettuce and parsley. Small bits of fresh carrot, apple and pineapple are treats that should be given only once or twice a week. (Yes, pineapple. It can help with their digestion.)

They Require Unique Medical Care

Like with any pets, you need to be aware of your rabbit’s overall well-being, but rabbits have their own needs. As such, rabbits also have their own specialized vets, according to PETA, and they can be more expensive than your run-of-the-mill veterinarian. The RSPCA recommends annual vet visits to check their teeth, to test for parasites and get vaccinations.

They Like to Cuddle—on Their Own Terms

Rabbits are incredibly soft and silky, which is a big part of their appeal. They like to be stroked if it’s done in the right way, generally low to the ground or on your lap. Don’t pick them up too high, as that makes them feel insecure. You’ll need to train them from a young age to become accustomed to cuddling; this doesn’t come naturally. Start by getting down on the floor and petting them, eventually moving them closer, hugging them, and holding them on your lap.

Rabbits Keep Their Own Time

Rabbits are crepuscular, which means they typically sleep during the day and the night. So when are they awake? Dusk and dawn! While this is great for evening cuddles on the sofa, it may not be the best thing while you’re trying to sleep, especially if they have free run of the house.

Why Pets Matter to Treehugger

At Treehugger, we are advocates of animal welfare, including our pets and other domestic animals. The better we understand our bunnies, the better we can support and protect their wellbeing. We hope our readers will adopt rescue pets instead of shopping from breeders or pet stores, and will also consider supporting local animal shelters.