Normal and Abnormal Rabbit Behaviour: What Every Bunny Parent Should Know

Before I adopted my first rabbit, I had no idea just how complex, sensitive, and expressive these little creatures could be. I thought I was bringing home a quiet pet that would nibble on carrots and hop around a bit—simple enough, right? Well, let me tell you, nothing could’ve prepared me for the whirlwind of personality that entered my life the day Luna hopped into it. Normal and Abnormal Rabbit Behaviour

Over the years, I’ve come to realize that understanding rabbit behaviour isn’t just fascinating—it’s absolutely essential. Knowing what’s normal for rabbits, and just as importantly, what isn’t, can mean the difference between a happy, healthy bunny and one silently suffering. Because rabbits are prey animals by nature, they’re experts at hiding illness and stress. This makes it even more crucial for us, as their caregivers, to recognize both their everyday quirks and the red flags that something might be wrong.

Normal Rabbit Behaviour: The Quirks That Make Them Adorable

Let’s start with the good stuff—the behaviors that make rabbits such delightful (and sometimes ridiculous) companions. These habits may seem odd to someone unfamiliar with bunnies, but trust me, they’re completely normal—and often hilarious.

1. Binkying: The Bunny Joy Jump

If you’ve never seen a rabbit binky, prepare for joy. A binky is when a rabbit jumps into the air, often twisting their body and kicking out their feet mid-leap. The first time Luna did it, I honestly thought something was wrong—why was she flinging herself around the room like a furry torpedo? But no, she wasn’t in distress—she was thrilled.

Binkying is one of the most expressive and unmistakable signs that your rabbit is happy and feeling safe in their environment. If you catch your bunny mid-binky, know that you’re doing something right.

2. Zoomies: The High-Speed Hop Around

Every now and then, especially in the evening when rabbits tend to be more active, they’ll get a sudden burst of energy. They’ll sprint around the room or their enclosure, darting, hopping, and zigzagging like a little whirlwind. These zoomies were Luna’s way of saying, “I’m alive and I feel fantastic!”

It was always entertaining to watch her fly across the living room floor, ears flapping, as if she had an urgent mission. Though short-lived, these episodes were proof she was healthy, confident, and full of life.

3. Flopping Over: Bunny Relaxation Mode

When a rabbit suddenly flops over onto their side and lies completely still, it can be alarming—especially if you’re a new owner. I remember rushing over to Luna the first time I saw her do this, convinced she had collapsed. But as it turns out, this dramatic full-body flop is just a sign of ultimate relaxation.

Flopping means your rabbit feels completely safe and at ease. Think of it as the bunny equivalent of sprawling out on the couch after a long day.

4. Tooth Purring: The Quiet Buzz of Contentment

Rabbits purr too—but not in the way cats do. When a rabbit is being gently petted or cuddled and they feel especially content, they may grind their teeth softly. This sound is often referred to as "tooth purring." It’s subtle—you have to be close to hear or feel it—but it’s one of the sweetest signals of trust.

Luna would often tooth-purr when I stroked her head, her eyes half-closed in bliss. It was always a lovely reminder of the bond we’d built over time.

5. Chinning: Mine, Mine, Mine

Rabbits have scent glands under their chins, and they use them to mark territory. This means rubbing their chin on objects—your furniture, their toys, and even you. It’s a harmless and entirely normal behaviour that says, “This belongs to me.”

While it may not be the most flattering thing to be claimed as bunny property, I always took it as a sign of affection.

Abnormal Rabbit Behaviour: When to Worry

For all the joy rabbits bring, they’re also incredibly vulnerable animals. Since they instinctively hide pain and discomfort (a survival trait in the wild), it’s up to us to spot the subtle signs when something isn’t right.

Over the years, I learned the hard way that the absence of a behavior could be just as telling as the presence of one. Here's what to watch for:

1. Lethargy or Sudden Change in Energy

Rabbits are naturally curious and active animals. If your normally energetic bunny suddenly becomes withdrawn, sluggish, or uninterested in their surroundings, it’s cause for concern.

When Luna once spent the better part of a day just sitting in a corner, barely moving and refusing food, I knew something was wrong. A vet visit revealed early signs of GI stasis, a potentially fatal condition where the rabbit’s digestive system slows down or stops. She recovered, but it was a wake-up call I won’t forget.

2. Loss of Appetite or Changes in Poop

Perhaps the most critical warning sign in rabbit health is a change in eating or pooping habits. A rabbit who stops eating even for 8–12 hours is in potential danger. GI stasis can develop quickly, and because rabbits rely on a constant flow of food and fiber to keep their gut moving, any disruption is serious.

Keep an eye on their droppings too—size, shape, and frequency matter. Small, misshapen, or absent droppings can signal digestive trouble.

3. Hunched Posture or Teeth Grinding

There’s a big difference between the soft tooth purring of a content rabbit and the loud, uncomfortable grinding of a rabbit in pain. When Luna once sat hunched in her litter box, pressing her belly to the floor and grinding her teeth audibly, I knew she was hurting. That posture—head down, back rounded—is a classic sign of discomfort or abdominal pain.

If your rabbit adopts this position or you hear loud tooth grinding, call your vet immediately.

4. Aggression or Sudden Behavioral Changes

Some rabbits are naturally feisty or territorial, but a sudden change in behavior—biting, lunging, or growling when they normally wouldn’t—could indicate something more. Pain, stress, or illness can make even the gentlest bunny lash out.

A rabbit that’s suddenly acting unusually irritable might be trying to communicate discomfort in the only way they can.

5. Head Tilt or Balance Issues

One of the more alarming things I ever saw was a friend’s rabbit suddenly develop head tilt—a condition where the rabbit’s head tilts to one side, often accompanied by loss of balance or rolling. It can look terrifying, but it’s usually caused by an ear infection or a neurological issue like E. cuniculi.

This is a veterinary emergency, but with prompt treatment, many rabbits recover well. Always take balance changes or head tilting seriously.

6. Excessive Hiding or Avoidance

Rabbits do enjoy their quiet spaces, but if your bunny is suddenly hiding more than usual or avoiding contact entirely, it could mean they’re not feeling well. Trust your gut—no one knows your rabbit better than you do. If something seems off, it probably is.

Creating a Safe and Enriching Environment

One of the best ways to encourage normal, happy behaviour in rabbits is to create an environment that mimics their natural needs. Luna was a different rabbit entirely once I gave her more space to roam, places to hide, and toys to chew and toss.

Here are a few key ingredients to a happy rabbit home:

• Space to run and explore

• Tunnels or hideaways to retreat into

• Chew toys for dental health

• A consistent diet of hay, fresh greens, and limited pellets

• Social interaction and gentle handling

The more enriched and secure their world, the more confident and expressive your rabbit will become.

Final Thoughts About Normal and Abnormal Rabbit Behaviour, Trust the Behaviour, Trust Your Bunny

Living with a rabbit taught me that communication isn’t always about sound—it’s about paying attention. Every hop, every twitch of the nose, every quiet pause tells a story. Some of those stories are joyful: a binky across the room, a slow stretch before a flop. Others are more somber: a still bunny in the corner, a missed meal.

Knowing what’s normal and what isn’t isn’t just about avoiding medical emergencies—it’s about deepening your connection with your rabbit. They may not bark or meow, but they speak volumes if you’re willing to listen.

And if I’ve learned anything from Luna, it’s that the quietest pets often have the most to say.