Rabbit Talk

How Not to Hold a Rabbit &

How Rabbits Communicate

How NOT to Hold a Rabbit:

Never pick up by the ears or legs. The scruff of the neck is okay, but only momentarily

Never hold them away from you – snuggle the rabbit close to you

Never drop a rabbit to the ground – their backs are fragile and can break very easily

Always hold a rabbit securely even if they struggle and kick.

Be aware they can go from a mellow rabbit to a kicking dynamo instantly!

Rabbits are highly social creatures.

(Party Animals!)

Remember rabbits normally do not

make any noise when they are hungry, thirsty,

hurt or scared. They become quiet and still.

If you watch them, you will see they do communicate!

Communication translations:

Head Flat on Floor – pet me now! Or it can mean fearful if the entire body is lowered to the floor.

Kicking – upset or disgusted with you. They will flip out their back legs when they hop away from you, too.
Growling grunt/bark – upset and aggressive.
Licking – grooming you… affection and bonding with you.
Soft Teeth Grinding – this is the rabbit equivalent of purring – very happy! If the grinding is very loud, the rabbit can be in pain or have a dental issue.
Buzzing or humming sound - visitors told me about this, but I heard when I adopted Bumble. He buzzes when he is feeling romantic toward my female rabbit even though he has been neutered. She runs when she hears him do this since he will display mounting behavior.
Thump with back feet – alarmed or angry
Chinning objects – marking territory like cats do. If you move the furniture, they will do it all over again.
Back turned to you – ignoring you
Ears forward – alert or alarmed
Ears back – stressed
Scream – hurt or dying
Whistle - some rabbits can whistle and it is a sound of distress.
Jumps for Joy – known as a “binky” a rabbit will hop up and turn sideways with its body and continue running.
Trance your rabbit hold him on his back in your lap with his head lower than his rear end and watch him go completely still. This may be stressful to some rabbits so only do this for clipping nails, etc. and not to show your friends how you can hypnotize your rabbit!

Rabbits have poor vision up close. When they cock their heads to the side they are trying to get a better look at you.
Rabbits will also stand up on their hind legs to get a better look at what’s going on around them.
They are as curious as cats and will get into everything. They also do this when they are begging for treats. If rabbits have free range of the house, they will run to the refrigerator every time you open the door once they associate the sound with a treat.

Two Websites on Communication:

Language of Lagomorphs

Rabbit Language

Two Good Books on the subject: Click photos to go to bookstore.

Why Does My Rabbit ....? and Stories Rabbits Tell

Photo Credit top of page: BJ looks like a real sweetheart! He loves to dance and be petted. A bunny who is small with a big heart. Someone took him home to all the dancing room he needs!