I was just wondering if anyone could tell me why my bunny "chatters" his teeth when I pet his cheeks and he is relaxed. Is this a sign of contentment. Someone told me they do it when they are nervous, but we have a good bond with the bunny and he seems relaxed when it happens. Also, why does he grunt at me when I try to get him out from under the bed. Is it a display of aggression?
2006-10-20 16:16:44 · 7 answers · asked by nico 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Your bunny sounds as if he's really enjoying your grooming and attention. For an explanation of his teeth grinding, which is indeed a sign of contentment when it's combined with sitting quietly and happily, see -
http://www.muridae.com/rabbits/rabbittalk_grooming.html
Regarding his grunting when you're trying to get him to do something he doesn't want to do ;-) have a read of this explanation -
http://www.muridae.com/rabbits/rabbittalk_anger.html
This is a great site - have a browse and you'll learn how to interpret your bunn's behaviour and what he's saying to you - here's the index page -
http://www.muridae.com/rabbits/rabbittalk.html
Enjoy!
2006-10-20 16:52:26 · answer #1 · answered by Lea 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The teeth grinding means your bunny is very happy and content. :)
I asked our vet about it, and he said it means a bunny is very calm and happy.
Our bunny grinds her teeth a ton when we pet her or scratch her between her ears.
Of course our vet also said bunnies might do that when they're nauseated, but she has yet to vomit on me while I'm petting her, so I'm pretty sure it means she's happy. *LOL*
The grunting is a warning. It means "leave me alone!" He might feel a little threatened or afraid when you try to get him out from under the bed. Our bunny also grunts when she wants out of her cage really badly, or if you don't give her her food fast enough.
On occasion she'll grunt when she feels cornered.
2006-10-20 17:03:03 · answer #2 · answered by Somebody 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The clicking of the teeth, is the way that a bunny "purrs".
The grunt is a warning that he doesn't like you getting him out from under the bed -- it is a display of aggression. I had a lop, which tried to "box" my hand, if I tried to lift him up, when he didn't want it!
2006-10-20 16:38:43 · answer #3 · answered by Joya 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rabbits don't actually need bedding; just some litter in the corner or in a litter pan in the corner of the cage. I'm sure she isn't expressing displeasure with the bedding; rabbits just love to dig and rearrange their cages. Lots of them like to lie in their litter pans, too. Cages with deep plastic bottoms work best for me for indoor bunnies. The bottom helps keep the litter inside the cage. I have pics of the cage I'm talking about and lots more rabbit info on my website.
2016-05-22 06:33:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just their way of communicating, like when a cat purrs or a dog wags it's tail. Rabbits will actually scream if they are angry, or feel threatened. It's the most horrible sound in the world, trust me!
2006-10-20 16:26:18 · answer #5 · answered by Choochie Larue 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grunting means he's unhappy. Grinding, if its soft, means he's ver content and happy. If its a loud grinding then its in pain. http://www.rabbit.org
2006-10-23 01:19:32 · answer #6 · answered by sugarcarat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my female rabbit grunts but my males dont. probably agression. Rabbits are fantastic pets.
2006-10-20 16:28:33 · answer #7 · answered by Mitsy@myheart06 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋