I have the cutest little bunny, Brownie, he's a Netherland Dwarf bunny. Do bunnies sleep with their eyes open?? I have never seen him with his eyes closed, except when I scratch his head, he kinda closes them but then always opens then after. What else do bunnies do?? How do they're personalities work? What else do they do? Anything I need to know about they're personalities?? Please tell me all you know!!
2007-02-19 11:14:15 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Bunnies do often sleep with their eyes open. You can tell when s\he is sleeping (or really relaxed) by watching their nose. If it is not wiggling, she is probably asleep.
There's a lot to know about bunnies. I'll talk a little, but I also recommend this website: www.rabbit.org. It has every bit of information about bunnies, from behavior, to veterinary care, to diet, etc.
They're quite humorous animals, but prefer to live in groups instead of solitary. Once your bun is neutered, you may want to try bonding him with a spayed female bunny. Nothing is cuter than seeing your bunnies all cuddled up grooming each other.
I don't know if you've seen a binky, but it is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. First time I saw my bun binky, I thought he was having a seizure. Binkying looks like your bun's body was taken over by something else and is causing it to flail around uncontrollably. It means they are very happy, it's a kind of dance. This often follows a head flop (which is exactly what it sounds like) and often is followed by a full body flop, when your bun will actually flop himself onto the ground. Mine tends to flip onto his back and lick his paws and then take a quick nap. All of these are signs of a very happy bunny.
The personality of a bun depends greatly on the bun and how he or she is raised. Give him lots of space, toys, and affection, and he should grow up to be very sweet. I recommend cat toys with bells in them, plastic bird toys (especially the little keys and the keyring) and cardboard - toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls work wonderfully.
If you didn't know, it is completely possible to litter train your bunny. There are directions on the rabbit.org website, but it will be easiest if you have the right kind of litter box. Buy a cat litter box without a top, put down one or two sections of newspaper, and just cover it with hay. Every day, put another handful or two of hay in the box. Your bun will treat it like a meadow. He will urinate in one section, eat the hay in the other sections, and will probably hang out in the box like he's grazing in actual grass. Every few days, just dump the box out and start again with new paper and hay.
I also recommend this brand of pellets: Oxbow Hay Bunny Basics (there's two kinds depending on the age of the bunny) and this brand of hay: American Pet Diner Timothy Gold, 2nd Cut. You can get toys, food, hay, and supplies fairly cheap by going to rabbitcentral.com.
Check out www.rabbit.org. It has everything you could need to know about bunnies. Have fun! I have two dwarf rabbits, and they're great.
2007-02-19 11:28:59 · answer #1 · answered by greecevaca 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, rabbits do not sleep with their eyes open. They usually sleep at night, so maybe that's why you've never seen him sleeping.
Bunnies like to nibble, and run. You need to give your bunny lots of room to run around in. What I did was set up a wire cage about six feet by six feet, two feet tall, and would set it out in the grass and just let my rabbits run around in it once in a while.
About their personalities.. different rabbits have their own personalities. Yours obviously likes being scratched on the head because of the way he reacts when you do this. Netherland Dwarves are the most aggressive type of rabbit, so be ready for this. This is because they are smaller and have learned to defend themselves better. But if you treat him right, he shouldn't be too much trouble.
Just play with him, and have fun. Find out what he likes.
A treat you can give your bunny is raisins. Most rabbits LOVE raisins, but some don't.. but they're not bad for them, so it won't hurt to try.. just a few every couple days..
Hope this helps!!
2007-02-19 11:27:59 · answer #2 · answered by Barbara H 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Rabbits sleep with their eyes closed. I find that they are most active at night. Try sleeping at a fair with 102-400 rabbits in cages. You will find that they are tons of fun at night and mostly lounging around people watching during the day. It's like the song, "sleep with one eye open" Rabbits will often keep an eye open as they are relaxing just to keep an eye on you.
They do tons of interesting things. They are just like people. They have very different personalities. Some like to be held, some dont. Some like to sit on your lap for hours and others dont.... A lot of it depends on the breeder. If the breeder handles them a lot from the time they are very young to when they sell them, they are more apt to be friendly. Then again, like people, there are some that can be just miserable all the time. I disagree with the person that says that Dwarfs are the most aggressive rabbit. This person has obviously not seen a checkered Giant. I was at one show when I put my arms up on the table to watch the judge and 15 of them wanted to chew my arm off. They dove for it. Fortunately, I was protected by a wire sheild which was placed over their cages. Dwarfs can be a little more feisty but if they are handled and loved, they can be great pets.
My neighbors used to play fetch with her with a ribbon roll and as the others have listed above, yes they do run and jump and kick their feet when they are happy. Some learn how to open their cages and sneak out like Houdini...
And some can be litter box trained just like a cat...
So yes they do lots of interesting things...
Take the time to get to know your rabbit.. It will be worth it!
Oh and one last thing.. They love strawberries, apples, carrots, potato peels, tomatoes, uncooked oats, and hay. Mine likes pizza crust too!
2007-02-19 14:32:04 · answer #3 · answered by Patsfan34 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rabbits close their eyes when they sleep, but can also sleep with them open. They are very alert animals and can be very wary of strangers (right now, that would be you). You probably never see him sleep because he's nervous around you and does not feel comfortable enough to sleep while you're around. Remember, rabbits have those large ears for a reason, so don't try to sneak up on him to catch him sleeping. He can hear you bite a marshmallow from 50 yards away ... there's no sneaking up on him!
Other than that, they tend to be good pets, often easy to tame, cuddly and sweet. Just be sure to educate yourself very well on them so you can take proper care of your new buddy. Good luck!
2007-02-19 11:29:22 · answer #4 · answered by Eddie S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, heres the thing about bunnies and eyes and sleeping. they sleep with em open, because of instinct. they always need to be aware if something (a predator) comes along. you know what i mean. its totally normal for them to sleep like that.
theyre personalities are all different, just like any animal. they tend to be on the quiet side, and very sweet. but they can be the complete opposite of that. you just gotta figure out what your bunny is like.
feed him, love him, give him a little room to move. happy bunny!
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2007-02-19 11:40:10 · answer #5 · answered by M T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the type of bunny, for example, my mini lop does not sleep with his eyes closed. He lies down in his basket and puts his head down. Everyone morning he is as energetic as ever. My friend's mini lop however, does close her eyes to sleep. I think it is all about personal preferance.
2007-02-19 16:40:34 · answer #6 · answered by Kim 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bunnies sleep with there eyes close of course...its just like when you cant sleep at night you toss and turn...well bunnies just cant sleep...usually b/c its too noisey or theres something else that is bothering them...ummmm personalitties...well they can be reallly sweet and nice one min. then the next they can be bitting you and scatching you!! lol!! i would know i have 15 rabbits!!! and i can tell the differnce between all of them b/c of their personalities!!! Bunnies can be very good at earning ppl money...of course you would have to have the right kind of rabbit......and they have to be in the best health.......you need to know how much to feed and water them and just care for them just like you would any other animal....
2007-02-19 11:31:11 · answer #7 · answered by ash 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bunnies sleep with their eyes closed, just like every other mammal.
2007-02-19 11:52:13 · answer #8 · answered by Fast boy + sexy boy + doglover 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No! Bunny sleep with its eyes close.
Bunny is sweet pet.
Bunny is cute.
2007-02-19 11:24:51 · answer #9 · answered by Khamirul Bin Mataree 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
They are sometimes goofy if you let them run around on the floor. They will jump up and kick their legs and stuff.
2007-02-19 11:26:55 · answer #10 · answered by the_gurl_in_ur_liquid_dreams 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋