Grunting - Get away from my food! Or toy! Or babies! Or nest! Or cage! (please don't obey your bunny though - or they will get bad manners).
Chattering teeth - I'm happy, please pet me more, especially if my eyes are closing! I might also chatter my teeth if I am afraid or aggressive, but this is very uncommon. Chattering teeth in aggression or fear would also be accompanied by aggressive 'fight-or-flight' stance.
Nudging owner's hand - I want attention! Pet me more!
Snootering - I'm looking for food or attention. Beware of accidental nibbling!
Lurking in back of cage, pressed in a corner - I'm either afraid, or being territorial.
Abnormally high heart rate and dilated pupils - I'm afraid! Please make sure if you are holding me that I am secure. I need frequent handling so that I start to enjoy being handled.
Jumping and kicking out back legs in the air - Whee! I'm binkying! I'm having so much fun kicking up my heels!
Flopping over - Oof! I'm tired. I've probably just run around a lot or eaten a really yummy meal.
Crouching and not reacting to environment - I could be very sick but I'm trying not to show it. Please take me to a vet.
Chomping - I've got some spare food stashed away in here.
Pinning ears and raising head - I'm being cranky, or I'm scared.
Ears forward - I'm curious and friendly!
Tail up - Either I'm about to pee, or I'm scared of something. In the wild, rabbits flash the white bottoms of their tails if they are frightened, which is a signal to other rabbits that there is a dangerous predator nearby.
Not eating - This means I could be really really sick! Schedule a vet appointment ASAP, in the meantime give me some Critical Care and yummy papaya or fresh banana that I normally enjoy.
Ears forward, walking forward on front legs - I'm exploring something interesting.
Lolloping - I'm lazily curious but don't have the energy to dash around right now.
Thumping - I'm being sassy if you've just put me back in my cage, or I might be afraid of something, like a cat or a loud noise. Or I just have attitude. XD
Chinning - This is mine! My favorite person! My favorite toy! My favorite litterbox! My favorite cage! My favorite everything! (you can allow them to do this)
Scratching a person - I'm either not socialized enough, or something's startled me, or I really really really need to pee!
Biting a person - I'm either under-socialized, aggressive, territorial, scared, not being held properly, startled, or really really really REALLY need to pee! (it depends on the situation, if your rabbit is biting, have an expert breeder help you)
Digging on towel or cage - I wanna dig to China!
Licking - I really really like you! You are my best friend!
Spraying - This is MY territory! I'm the alpha male around here!
Mounting another rabbit, stuffed animal, etc. - I am dominant. I am alpha bunny. (both bucks and does can do this, whether they are fixed or not. Only assume the rabbit trying to mate if there is both an unfixed buck and an unfixed doe. Sometimes does will mount bucks if they really want to breed.)
Pulling fluff - I am either pregnant or I want to be. (don't let this be a reason to breed your doe though! She'll get over it soon enough)
Nose twitching - This is how I breathe, genius!
Screaming - I'm really hurt, sick, or afraid! Please save me! If I'm hurt or sick, take me to a vet ASAP!
Rubbing face, often with paws in 'praying' position - I am grooming to become a sleek, shiny, gorgeous bunny. Maintaining this look isn't easy, you know.
Spinning in circles - I'm really terrified, and feel trapped and unsafe (please have a rabbit expert help you if your rabbit is doing this).
Turning around and biting their own back - I'm itchy. Need to groom this area thoroughly.
Tail raised, backing into corner - I'm probably peeing or pooping. I could also be protecting my cage (don't let them get away with this).
Rearing up - What's that interesting sight? I need to investigate!
Dashing in circles with the occasional stop to investigate - Woohoo! Party time!
Head bobbing while slowly walking - It's time to discover cool stuff.
Freezing - Something's really startled me. Please make the scary thing go away.
Yawning and stretching - Yawning and stretching.
Chattering teeth - I'm happy, please pet me more, especially if my eyes are closing! I might also chatter my teeth if I am afraid or aggressive, but this is very uncommon. Chattering teeth in aggression or fear would also be accompanied by aggressive 'fight-or-flight' stance.
Nudging owner's hand - I want attention! Pet me more!
Snootering - I'm looking for food or attention. Beware of accidental nibbling!
Lurking in back of cage, pressed in a corner - I'm either afraid, or being territorial.
Abnormally high heart rate and dilated pupils - I'm afraid! Please make sure if you are holding me that I am secure. I need frequent handling so that I start to enjoy being handled.
Jumping and kicking out back legs in the air - Whee! I'm binkying! I'm having so much fun kicking up my heels!
Flopping over - Oof! I'm tired. I've probably just run around a lot or eaten a really yummy meal.
Crouching and not reacting to environment - I could be very sick but I'm trying not to show it. Please take me to a vet.
Chomping - I've got some spare food stashed away in here.
Pinning ears and raising head - I'm being cranky, or I'm scared.
Ears forward - I'm curious and friendly!
Tail up - Either I'm about to pee, or I'm scared of something. In the wild, rabbits flash the white bottoms of their tails if they are frightened, which is a signal to other rabbits that there is a dangerous predator nearby.
Not eating - This means I could be really really sick! Schedule a vet appointment ASAP, in the meantime give me some Critical Care and yummy papaya or fresh banana that I normally enjoy.
Ears forward, walking forward on front legs - I'm exploring something interesting.
Lolloping - I'm lazily curious but don't have the energy to dash around right now.
Thumping - I'm being sassy if you've just put me back in my cage, or I might be afraid of something, like a cat or a loud noise. Or I just have attitude. XD
Chinning - This is mine! My favorite person! My favorite toy! My favorite litterbox! My favorite cage! My favorite everything! (you can allow them to do this)
Scratching a person - I'm either not socialized enough, or something's startled me, or I really really really need to pee!
Biting a person - I'm either under-socialized, aggressive, territorial, scared, not being held properly, startled, or really really really REALLY need to pee! (it depends on the situation, if your rabbit is biting, have an expert breeder help you)
Digging on towel or cage - I wanna dig to China!
Licking - I really really like you! You are my best friend!
Spraying - This is MY territory! I'm the alpha male around here!
Mounting another rabbit, stuffed animal, etc. - I am dominant. I am alpha bunny. (both bucks and does can do this, whether they are fixed or not. Only assume the rabbit trying to mate if there is both an unfixed buck and an unfixed doe. Sometimes does will mount bucks if they really want to breed.)
Pulling fluff - I am either pregnant or I want to be. (don't let this be a reason to breed your doe though! She'll get over it soon enough)
Nose twitching - This is how I breathe, genius!
Screaming - I'm really hurt, sick, or afraid! Please save me! If I'm hurt or sick, take me to a vet ASAP!
Rubbing face, often with paws in 'praying' position - I am grooming to become a sleek, shiny, gorgeous bunny. Maintaining this look isn't easy, you know.
Spinning in circles - I'm really terrified, and feel trapped and unsafe (please have a rabbit expert help you if your rabbit is doing this).
Turning around and biting their own back - I'm itchy. Need to groom this area thoroughly.
Tail raised, backing into corner - I'm probably peeing or pooping. I could also be protecting my cage (don't let them get away with this).
Rearing up - What's that interesting sight? I need to investigate!
Dashing in circles with the occasional stop to investigate - Woohoo! Party time!
Head bobbing while slowly walking - It's time to discover cool stuff.
Freezing - Something's really startled me. Please make the scary thing go away.
Yawning and stretching - Yawning and stretching.