when im petting my bunny in a certain place, he grinds his teeth. does that mean he likes that spot or something else?
2006-06-27 11:21:47 · 12 answers · asked by elizabeth 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Rabbits often grind their teeth quietly, but obviously, when they're really enjoying being petted. It wouldn't be when you pet him right behind his ears or on his forehead, would it? They love you doing this, because they can't reach here to groom. Some people call this,when bunns grind their teeth in enjoyment, "tooth purring" - have a read of this info -
http://www.muridae.com/rabbits/rabbittalk_grooming.html
This is a great site that you might enjoy browsing - it's all about how to interpret bunny behaviour and 'language' - here's the main page with it's indexes -
http://www.muridae.com/rabbits/rabbittalk.html
Have a read of these great detailed rabbit sites too -
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/rabbits/a/?once=true&
http://www.tagyerit.com/hopline/cold.htm
http://www.rabbit.org/
http://www.houserabbit.co.uk/
http://au.geocities.com/leaswebsite/bunnyhouserabbits.html - my own site - please have a browse and enjoy!
2006-06-27 18:05:54 · answer #1 · answered by Lea 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rabbits do that some just to grind down their teeth. Their teeth grow an average of about 1/2" a month. Sometimes it can be a sign that the rabbit has bad teeth such as wolf teeth (where the teeth curl) or a broken tooth.
You probably should flip your rabbit over and check it's teeth just to make sure. To do this, with one hand grab the fur behind it's neck and wrap your thumb tightly around the very base of its ears. Put your other hand on its rump and roll the rabbit over on its rump onto its back. Remove your hand from the rabbit's rump and form a V between your thumb and pointing finger. From above the head (not below the rabbit's mouth) place the V onto the rabbit's cheeks and pull back, revealing the teeth. If you do this from below the rabbit's mouth you stand a good chance of getting bitten. Look to make sure that the 4 front teeth are OK. The top teeth should overlap the bottom teeth and none of the teeth should be curling or missing.
Your bunny is probably doing that due to where you are petting it, but it's a good idea to check the teeth from time to time.
2006-06-30 12:55:59 · answer #2 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grinding of teeth loudly is the way a rabbit expresses pain. This should not be confused with the soft purr-like grinding a rabbit does when being gently petted by its owner.
2006-06-27 18:33:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that means he is likeing the fact that you are petting him put you might need to get his teeth checked because he needs his teeth to eat and he is grinding them down.
2006-06-27 18:25:26 · answer #4 · answered by Francine S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mine grindes his teeth i think he likes it.
2006-06-27 19:21:36 · answer #5 · answered by sunbunnie72 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is not a good sound. My rabbit used to do that when he was mad at me. That means that he is not happy! I have gotten bit several times for that.
2006-06-27 19:30:36 · answer #6 · answered by nagaem2005 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mine does 2
2006-06-27 18:38:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he's into it - he could just go away if he wasn't. Which spot is it?
2006-06-27 18:25:39 · answer #8 · answered by bitbot 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to give him somethig to grindhis teeth
2006-06-27 18:51:38 · answer #9 · answered by idontkno 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might be upsetting him. Just don't pet him there.
2006-06-27 18:25:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋