To understand your pet rabbits behavior you will have to learn the many ways of communicating. Sometimes your rabbit's expressions can mean very different things so you will have to do some interpretation based on your experience with your rabbit.  Some of the most common behaviors are as follows:
  • Sniffing - May be annoyed or just talking to you
  • Grunts - Usually angry, watch out or you could get bit!
  • Shrill scream - Hurt or dying

  • Circling your feet - Can be part of a courtship dance or a means of getting attention. If other aggressive indicators are displayed, e.g. an erect tail and laid back ears, an attack is about to take place.
  • Chewing - is a natural behavior. This keeps your rabbits teeth ground down and is instinctive to keep any obstruction (electrical cords, etc.) that are encroaching on the entrance to his burrow


  • Spraying - Males that are not neutered will mark female rabbits in this manner as well as their territory. Females will also spray.
  • 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 its forehead on people and objects.


  • 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.
  • Bunny hop/dance - a jump straight up with a mid-air half turn and a twist usually executed in mid-run. A sign of pure joy & happiness!
  • 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.


  • Boxing - rabbit stands on hind legs with their dukes up and throws punches. Stay back or your going to get it.
  • 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.


  • Flop - rabbit literally throws his/herself onto their side which looks like they just keeled over. You have a happy at ease rabbit.
  • 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.
  • Burrowing: Tunneling behavior. Instinctive Rabbits are burrowing animals


  • Bunching - Pushing, pulling, and biting bed linens, towels, pillows. Organizing to their liking
  • 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.
  • 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.
Being aware of what your rabbit trying to tell will not only benefit him by getting him what he needs/wants but it will reduce the frustration of not knowing why your rabbit does what he does. 

To learn more about their communication techniques along with all of the basics we recommend 

The Rabbit Handbook - 2 pack - This book gives detailed advice on keeping and breeding healthy rabbits. The author covers understanding body language, creating a atmosphere of mutual trust, Correct training techniques for rabbits to live happily in a house or an apartment without getting into trouble. The author also suggests cage toys that will entertain both the pet and its owner. He also covers getting all members of the family acquainted with the newly arrived animal. It features full-color photos on nearly every page, tips for hassle-free travel with a pet, advice on managing behavior problems, and a selection of games that owners can teach their pets to play.
The Rabbit Handbook - 2 pack

How to Raise Rabbits - The Complete Beginners Guide for Rabbit Owners.  This covers information about what rabbit will fit into your lifestyle BEFORE you actually get a rabbit.  Purchasing tips, handling Do's and Don'ts, training, behavior recognition, and basic care.  It also covers breeding, health care, and raising for meat.  This book covers it all and is easy to understand.  There are several bonuses that are included with it and also a 100% money back guarantee. 


The Complete Bunny Guide For Rabbit Lovers! - A step by step guide to owning a pet bunny e-book.  This one covers just about everything you will need to know to make your rabbit happy and healthy.  An offer for a free Health Kit regardless if you buy the book along with a 60 day money back guarantee.
Bunny Secrets; Understanding your Pet Rabbits Behavior

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