With the notable exception of Bigwig from Watership Down, rabbits are not generally noted for their bravery. As potential prey for many larger animals and birds in the wild, it’s perfectly understandable for them to be by nature cautious and on high alert for any threat or signs of danger.
When we keep them at home, we naturally want them to be as happy and free from stress and worry as possible, so it’s important that we do everything we can to keep the potential for anxiety to a minimum, while also keeping an eye out for signs that all may not be well.
But what is it that we need to look out for? This article will examine some of the signs of a stressed rabbit and what you need to do if you think that might be the case.
How to tell if your rabbit is stressed
- Ears and noses
If your rabbit has its ears pinned down tightly to the body, rather than being upright, this is a common sign that it might be stressed. The nose, meanwhile – which would normally be twitching away as your rabbit samples the plethora of smells in its vicinity – will be still when it’s stressed.
- Aggressive behaviour
Rabbits are generally playful and sociable, and whether it’s towards you or other rabbits, unruly behaviour is not common for the average rabbit; if yours starts getting aggressive or hostile, you’ve probably got a problem.
- Crouching position
Like many animals, rabbits will often adopt a crouching position when startled or alerted to possible danger. This is probably partly an effort to be hidden, and partly in order to be ready to bolt if necessary. It’s not unusual for this to happen briefly, but if your rabbit stays like it for a while, there’s probably something more deep-rooted you need to investigate.
- Chewing cage bars
Rabbits like to chew, but chewing the bars of their cage isn’t normal behaviour and is a sign that all is not well. That may simply be because your rabbit is bored, but it could equally be because your rabbit is stressed. If you notice this behaviour, you’ll probably need to assess it alongside other unusual activity to try and work out what the problem might be.
- Excessive grooming
Like cats, rabbits can spend a lot of their time grooming themselves. That means it can be hard to be sure when they’re doing it more than would be normal. Grooming is not just a way to keep themselves clean, however, they also do it as a way of feeling calm and safe. That means that excessive grooming might be a sign of an unhappy rabbit, and the result might be that they start pulling fur out. So it’s worth keeping an eye on both their behaviour and the state of their fur if you’re at all worried.
- Changed eating and/or toilet habits
Any significant change in your rabbit’s behaviour is worth investigating, and this is especially the case when it comes to routine matters like eating and going to the toilet. As long as you haven’t made a change to its diet, any major change on either of these fronts will mean your rabbit is unhappy about something, whether it’s feeling stressed or unwell.
What to do with a stressed rabbit
Of course, prevention is always better than cure, so there are several things you should always be trying to do to keep your rabbit happy and relaxed. These will include:
- Regular interaction – rabbits are very social and are easily bored, so don’t just leave them to look after themselves all the time
- A good diet – especially plenty of fresh hay for your rabbit
- A safe environment – including somewhere to hide if they do get scared or spooked by something unexpected
If you do start to notice any of the behaviours listed above in your rabbit, or feel that your rabbit is not behaving normally and you can’t find an obvious cause, then the best thing is to take it to the vet. While many of them may well be down to psychological reasons, they are equally likely to be physical, as rabbits will behave in similar ways whether they’re stressed or unwell. You should especially involve your vet if symptoms persist, even if you do think they are down to environmental issues.
If you’re going away and need a safe place to home your rabbit while you’re gone, Green Lane Farm is the ideal choice. Our caring team is experienced at managing the needs of all kinds of animals and will do everything possible to ensure that your pet’s stay will be one that is happy and stress-free.
Get in touch now to find out more or to book your pet in for a stay with us – we’re easily accessible for pet owners living in and around Kingston and Chessington in Surrey.
