Bunny behaviour 101

Bunny behaviour 101.....I thought I would do this post for those new Bunny parents out there.To help them spot the signs when their pet bunny is sick or afraid or any other kinds of behaviour that we don't understand.
The most important thing to understand is the rabbits are what we call prey animals and all their instincts and behaviour revolves around that fact.In the wild rabbits live in large family groups in underground Warrens which is a network of tunnels and nesting holes only coming out to feed and some times frolic about and having a gay old time but there is always one or two of the group keeping an eye out for predator such as Buzzards,foxes or cats and for those who don't know magpies crows rooks and raven a group of birds in the same family known as corvidae will also attack and kill a rabbit in the UK in the US there are coyote,eagles and other hawk,wild cats and domesticated cat as well as corvidae when a predator is spotted the rabbits on guard will thump and drum their back feet to warn the others to the danger and make a run for there rabbit holes.If a rabbit can't make it to its hole it will flatten down in the grass or vegetation and keep still only running at the last minute if they have to.A pet rabbit doesn't have that they rely on us to keep them safe which is why a lot of rabbit owners now keep their bunny inside and only let them out to play in a secure wire run or aviary to protect them.and if they are kept out side they are often kept in a shed or garage to keep the safe at night from night time predators such as foxes or coyote.So if a bunny looks to be nesting it might not be it may be afraid and trying to hide and may eat very little so it doesn't get seen.A pet rabbit may also appear loving and submissive when you bring it in for attention because it is trying to get you to protect it.

This is what happened to Speedy when he was attacked by a cat in his own garden which we have made secure from cats now! If this had been a fox there would be no more Speedy.

It cost £267.00 to get him stitched up!

When a rabbit is sick or in pain it will try to hide that it is sick until it is at death's door because it could be picked off by a predator because it can tell the the rabbit is weak,the same behaviour is also true in our pet rabbits too.SO when a rabbit stops eating or eats very little there is something wrong!
When its cold Rabbits only venture out to eat for short periods of time and then go back to their warm holes to keep warm and will do that all day and night.But if our pet rabbit lives in a hutch out side it can't do that it will have to huddle in the most sheltered spot of the hutch freezing its butt off...so if its to cold out side for you the same is true for your pet rabbit...COLD KILLS!
Un-neutered or spayed bunnies become very territorial and can become aggressive males will also try to mate with you which is funny for us to see some times but not for them as they will get more frustrated and aggressive,females can be come aggressive to and can develop a condition called phantom pregnancy which is stressful for her if she starts pulling out her fur to line a nest and you are sure she hasn't been with a male you can be sure that is what that is.Also if a female is left un-spayed she can develop breast cancer and other cancers that we women can get.
How ever a pet rabbit can be the most rewarding pet you can have they can be very loving when they feel safe and relaxed and give you kisses play with you or even go to sleep in your arms like Speedy does.And when they are happy they show you with all the high jinks they do like zoomies and binky's that will make laugh out loud.

Rabbits can be kept happy and healthy indoors as house bunny's and they don't need to have the run of the house they can be housed in a puppy training cage or special indoor rabbit cages as long as its big enough for them and they have somewhere to run and play like a rabbit play pen like I have for Speedy plus I let him run about the kitchen when we  are there or I let him explore the house with me following behind him.when it warm he goes out in the back garden with the back door open so that he can come in and out when we are in the kitchen or if were aren't in the kitchen the door is closed but he can shelter in two sheds in the garden.Rabbits can be trained to go toilet in a litter box like a cat by lining it with paper and filling with hay or you can get special litter for it,me I use paper and hay just easier and cheaper for me.
The Next post I shall cover Health and Diet....If I have Missed anything please let me know and I will add it to this post.if you have any Questions ask me in the comments below or you can email which is on my profile page.