18 Major Signs of Stress in Rabbits – Causes and Treatments Explained

It can be tough being a rabbit. Aside from constantly dodging predators, rabbits also have to worry about stress factors in their environment.

While some stress is every day and even beneficial, too much can lead to serious health problems. So if you’re a rabbit owner, it’s essential to know the signs of stress in rabbits so you can take steps to reduce it.

In this post, we’ll look at some of the most common signs of stress in rabbits and provide tips for reducing them. Let’s get started!

18 Major Signs of Stress In Rabbits

Rabbits are prey animals; they hide illness very well, making it difficult to know when something is wrong. They can feel stressed for numerous reasons, including:

being handled by new people, some other change in environment (new pet, etc.), sudden loud noise or activity (door slamming, kids running through the house), not enough space to move around environmental changes (weather, seasons, your schedule changing)

Recognizing the signs of stress in rabbits will help you ensure that your furry friend gets all the care they need immediately. So let’s get into what those 14 main signs of stress in rabbits are

1) Bulging Eyes: Rabbits’ eyes can become vast and round when frightened. They may also show the whites of their eyes, which is a fear response called “whites of the eye.”

2) Lack of Appetite: If your rabbit seems to have lost their appetite, that could be a sign that they are stressed out. Try offering a favorite treat to see if he will start eating again. Sometimes rabbits aren’t hungry because they’re full from their last meal, so feel free to leave food down for them at all times as long as you watch closely for anything unusual in his or their behavior with it. If your rabbit generally stops eating for several days in a row, take them to the veterinarian because something could be wrong.

3) Lumps or Bumps: Don’t try to touch any lumps or bumps on your rabbit without checking with the veterinarian first, but if you notice any new swellings while petting them, make sure to tell your vet about them at the next appointment. Even though fluffies are prey animals and want to hide illness well, stress can cause some lumps and bumps that should not be ignored by a veterinary professional.

4) Being Aggressive: Stressed rabbits may become aggressive with their owners. They always seem to feel better after a good head butt, don’t they? If your rabbit has started nipping or biting at you, try not to pull away from the bites as this can make him think he’s winning, and he may do it more. Stay relaxed and tell him “no bites” firmly but without shouting. Then give him some space for a while!

5) Eating Poop: Yes, I know that eating poop is gross even for humans, let alone bunnies! However, if your rabbit seems to start this habit out of nowhere, it could be because stress is causing them to eat poop instead of their usual diet. Sometimes this condition can lead to a severe and life-threatening medical condition called GI Stasis, so don’t ignore this behavior!

6) Hiding or Actively Seeking a Hidey Hole: Rabbits hide from predators, and that’s basically what we are to them. They will hide from us for protection and hide when they’re stressed out. If your rabbit has been acting nervous all day and seems to be looking for a place to duck into, there may be something going on that is stressing them out. Try not to disturb your rabbit if he finds a good hiding spot – try again later instead of waking him up.

7) Rough Behavior When Handled: Some rabbits will become very rough when they are being handled, especially if you’re holding them in a way that puts stress on the muscles of their neck. If your rabbit becomes aggressive or starts scratching at you when being picked up or held, it could be because he is stressed out by what you are doing to him.

8) Lack of Grooming: Stressed rabbits may stop grooming themselves as much because they don’t feel like it. Their fur will get dull and dirty and can even begin to smell bad if not washed regularly (and sometimes even if washed periodically). Your bunny’s coat should never smell, though – if yours does, this could mean your rabbit is getting sick!

9) Breathing Heavily: Rabbits will sometimes breathe heavily when freaked out or stressed. This breathing can be loud and fast or may even sound like huffing and puffing. If you notice heavy breathing like this happening for no apparent reason (like your rabbit seems to be exercising), it could mean that something is stressing him out.

10) Seeming Anxious in General: Stressed rabbits often seem jumpy or anxious in general because of the excess adrenaline coursing through their systems. Just try sitting down next to your bunny and watch how quickly he jumps up in a panic! Stressed rabbits tend to do a lot of “popcorning,” in which they suddenly jump into the air from a relaxed position for no apparent reason.

11) Swishing their Tail More Often: Rabbits communicate with their tails, so when your rabbit feels particularly anxious, he will often swish it back and forth more than usual. If you notice that your bunny’s tail seems to be wagging more than normal when held, this could mean something is stressing him out. It can even happen when they’re just sitting in the cage! Make sure to check for any signs of illness during these swishing episodes so that it doesn’t become a habit after some time goes on.

12) Making Strange Noises: Stressed rabbits often make strange noises, which can sound like grunts or even squeals. Sometimes these noises can be very soft and almost unnoticeable, but sometimes they will startle you by being extremely loud. If your rabbit is making a noise that you don’t recognize as normal behavior for them, it could mean that something is wrong.

13) Reckless with the Toes: Rabbits usually love to dig their paws into shavings and blankets to get a good stretch against the floor of the cage after a long day of being cooped up inside. One sign of stress in rabbits maybe when they start digging their paws *into* things instead of against them – this could include your clothing, the couch, or even your hair if you’re leaning over them. Rabbits show their discomfort by digging frantically into whatever is closest to them while leaving small, half-moon-shaped slices on the surface they are searching against.

14) Over Sleeping: When rabbits are stressed out, they sometimes sleep a lot more than usual. If this happens regularly, it could be a sign that there is some stress going on at home, even if you can’t see anything wrong with the environment. Sometimes all your rabbit needs is an excellent playmate to get rid of extra pent-up energy! Even though you might think playing may make them even more excited and anxious, mating behaviors such as mounting and boxing help relieve tension in rabbits 

15) Lethargy: Lethargy is when your rabbit seems lazy all the time and doesn’t want to do much of anything. Lethargic rabbits often spend a lot of time sleeping during the day, usually in short bursts rather than long naps. This can mean your bunny isn’t getting enough sleep at night (especially if you see them sleeping during the day), or it can mean that your rabbit is simply living under a lot of stress and, as such, doesn’t feel like doing much. Lethargy can be a symptom of almost any illness in rabbits, so this must not be ignored if you see it!

16) They Appear Nervous – (Shivering, Curled Up): When rabbits are scared or stressed, they sometimes will curl up into a little ball of fur. It’s the stereotypical image of a rabbit that comes to mind when someone says, “I’m so scared I could just die!” If you notice your bunny doing this any time something strange happens, you should take him to the vet immediately, as this is often a sign that something is much more wrong than simple stress.

17) self-mutilation ( Extreme Cases): In rabbits, they start to scratch or chew at themselves for no apparent reason. Stress can trigger this, but it can also indicate that your rabbit has an underlying medical condition such as mites or worms. 

18) Hair pulling: Hair pulling self-mutilation is when your rabbit starts to tug at their hair. Pulling the hair out creates bald patches that look very different from normal aging fur, which can occur over time. This behavior is often a sign of stress and should be taken seriously because it can lead to medical problems if the rabbit keeps it up for an extended period.

What Are The Major Causes Of Stress in Rabbits? – 10 Common Reasons

The cage is too small:

Space is significant in a rabbit’s life. This is because rabbits are prey animals, meaning that they are always on the run to make sure they don’t get eaten by predators in the wild.

Even though domesticated rabbits may not need to worry quite as much about predators, they still should not live in places where they will feel closed in. Their instinct makes them feel trapped when they are in small cages.

The best solution is to give them a large cage with several rooms to run around in, a little hut where they can hide from the world, and plenty of toys for them to play with.

The location of the cage is not suitable:

The wrong location for your rabbit’s cage can also cause stress. The main rule of thumb is that the sight and smell of predators should not be able to get inside the cell, and the location should be peaceful and quiet.

Predators can include pets such as dogs, cats, or birds of prey (owls.)

The sight of predators can be stopped by keeping them out of sight. The smell of predators can be prevented by ensuring no strong odors in the room where your rabbit’s cage is located. Peaceful and quiet locations for a rabbit’s cage include rooms without windows where there might be loud noises outside, like kitchens or bathrooms if they have tile floors.

The wrong type/amount/frequency of food:

Rabbits need a diet high in fiber, including lots of hay, so their digestive systems stay normal. If you’re got a picky eater on your hands, try changing the type of hay they’re eating to see if certain types they like are better.

Rabbits need fresh water at all times, and they can’t live off of pellets alone – it’s just not healthy for them! Rabbits should also be fed vegetables every day as a treat (vegetables provide vitamins A and C, which are hard to get in their regular food) and fruit every once in a while as well (fruit is high in sugar, though, so keep an eye on how much you give them.)

The wrong type/amount/frequency of exercise:

Like humans, rabbits need physical activity to stay healthy mentally and physically. Most indoor rabbits tend to be lazy, gaining weight quickly because they are not active enough.

An unhealthy lifestyle causes stress. Inactivity causes stress.

Rabbits need at least one hour of exercise a day, every single day. If you can’t give them that much time, try to take them out for a walk in the fresh air once a day – it is excellent both physically and mentally if they get to stretch their legs!

It’s essential to make sure your rabbit has free access to the entire house so they can run around as much as they want.

They are lonely:

Rabbits like companionship and will get stressed if they feel isolated and alone. Make sure you give them lots of company during the day to keep their spirits up! This can be especially true for older rabbits who may no longer get around very quickly.

When you are not around, it is a good idea to keep them in the company of another rabbit, or if you don’t have another one, make sure there are plenty of toys for them to play with.

Loneliness also causes stress, and rabbits should always have company, even if it’s only another animal such as a cat or dog.

not spayed or neutered:

For a rabbit, being spayed or neutered is one of the most important things you can do to keep them healthy and happy.

Both male and female rabbits that have not been spayed or neutered tend to display more aggressive behavior, which leads to fighting as well as spraying urine all over the place as a way of marking their territory. In males, this behavior also includes “humping” both genders of rabbits and some inanimate objects.

In females, the urge to go into heat—which happens about every three weeks—will cause increased stress levels from howling/screaming throughout the night for a week off and on until she goes into labor. Rabbits are pregnant for 30 days and then another 30 days for labor, delivery, and nursing.

Over-handling:

When rabbits are wrapped up in your arms, they feel trapped and will get stressed out while you carry them.

Instead of picking your rabbit up so they can be close to you, try sitting down on the floor with them instead so they can come over of their own free will.

Some bunnies might never want to leave your lap, but that’s just how it goes with some animals more than others. Letting them hop around freely is always pleasant for both you and the bunny!

Loud noises:

Just like humans, loud noises such as fireworks, gunshots, or construction noise damage a rabbit’s sensitive hearing and cause stress.

This is because rabbits have excellent hearing and their body naturally reacts by tensing up to get ready for action.

Although they are not predators, rabbits’ instinct is to run away from potential danger if they can’t fight it.

They feel Endangered because, in the wild, predators often create loud noises as a hunting technique to startle their prey and make them easier to catch.

The presence of a predator (like your cat):

Cats prey on small animals, including domesticated ones, and rabbits tend to panic when they feel threatened.

When you bring a new pet into your home, introduce them slowly and let them sniff each other out in a neutral area. This way, if there are any fights from aggression when meeting for the first time, it is less likely to happen around your house when you aren’t watching!

To stop fighting from happening during future encounters, only one of your pets should be fed treats, so they become used to getting all their food from that animal. Overfeeding is also bad for your rabbit’s health because it can cause obesity, leading to diseases such as heart disease and arthritis. Don’t be afraid, though—it is acceptable to give your rabbits treats as long as they aren’t purely made of sugar and they exercise!

Rabbits do not like to be picked up and restrained:

This instinct causes them to fight back when they feel threatened.

Instead of holding your bunny, try sitting on the floor with a treat in your hand and let them come to you.

When a rabbit jumps up into your lap, give lots of love and cuddles!

In extreme cases when something is seriously wrong with your rabbit, such as when they are critically ill, it’s okay to pick them up but only for a minimal time. Allow them to walk around freely whenever possible since that’s what they prefer most!

How to Treat Stress in Rabbits?

If you notice any of the stress symptoms in your rabbits, immediately provide them with a safe and quiet area of their own to get away from it. This could be an exercise pen to climb around and hop about so they don’t feel trapped.

It’s also not a bad idea to give them all-natural herbs such as Valerian root, Passionflower, or Chamomile, which can help calm their nerves! You can find these online or at the health food store. We have given below all the tips on how to treat stress in rabbits:

Establish a Routine: This is an easy one too! It can be straightforward as long as you stay consistent with it. Just remember not to change things up on your rabbits last minute. Be sure to follow your daily routine down to the minute, so they know what’s coming next and have time to prepare for it.

Keep Things Clean: Rabbits are naturally clean animals that don’t like dirty surroundings. Take out their litter boxes often and keep their food dishes sparkling clean every day!

Give Them Lots Of Attention: Rabbits love attention, especially when you give them lots of cuddles! They cannot get enough of this because affection helps build trust between the owner and the pet. Don’t Bring In New Pets Unless You Know They Will Get Along With Each; introducing too many pets at once may lead to fighting or even severe injuries. One pet is enough, so let your rabbits get familiar with it.

Let Your Rabbit Call the Shots: Rabbits like to be in control of the situation and what they do. So when you take them out, try not to hold their hand or push them forward. Allow them to look at things nicely at their own pace. This will help them to build their confidence.

Don’t Handle Your Rabbit Unnecessarily: Rabbits are not teddy bears that love to be cuddled all the time. Instead, they like to spend their free time alone without being disturbed. So don’t pick them up suddenly, especially if you notice that they are not very happy about it. They can become frightened and start to struggle or even kick out in fear. If you want to hold your rabbit, make sure he feels safe and give him lots of treats!

Moderate Lighting and Temperature: Rabbits are sensitive to loud noises and sudden movements. So it’s a good idea to keep your pet area quiet, calm, and well ventilated.

Give Them the Right Food: Supplementing their diet with hay is one of the best ways to relieve stress in rabbits because they love chewing on it, which also helps wear down their ever-growing teeth. This is good for their digestion and can be done as long as your rabbit doesn’t have any allergies to grass hay! This includes timothy, oat, meadow, brome, and many others. But don’t give them too much alfalfa since it’s very rich in calcium which may lead to urinary problems.

Keep Your Rabbit Safe:  Never leave your rabbit alone in the house during the hot summer days! Not only is it too hot for them, but they could get themselves into trouble or escape out an open door. If you have to leave, always make sure your rabbits are locked away safely inside their cages with plenty of clean water and fresh hay.

Have A Back-Up Plan: If you plan to take your pet out, be sure that someone is at home with them! That way, you can always get in touch with them no matter how long you’re gone. Also, give them enough fresh water and hay during the trip, so they don’t feel hungry or thirsty.

Is Stress Dangerous to a Rabbit?

The answer is yes! Rabbits feel stressed when they are not comfortable in their surroundings, which can lead to any number of illnesses. So if you notice that your pet starts to overgroom himself or eat less, get grumpy or keep burrowing into his house, then he could be stressed out. It would help if you visited a professional rabbit show breeder to guide the situation.

According to a popular belief, rabbits have a compassionate personality and can even sense dangers to their lives. It’s said that if a baby rabbit senses danger, she will put her ears back, curl up into a ball and freeze in place until the threat goes away. This is how rabbits respond when there’s danger around them, but everyone should always try to stay calm when they’re around rabbits.

Too much stress can lead to all sorts of illnesses, especially in older rabbits. Extended periods of stress can cause heart attacks later in life, and that’s not something you want to happen! So if you notice that your rabbit is anxious or grumpy for an extended period, take them to the vet immediately.

On the other hand, many people believe that rabbits are very independent animals and will always find ways to handle stress without any help from humans. Some pet owners even claim that they can tell exactly what is stressing their rabbit by the way he sits! If his ears are perked up, then everything’s okay, but if he’s droopy, then something might be wrong.

Rabbits can become very stressed out if their environment is not suitable and the owners do not pay enough attention. They need a lot of love, care, and affection from their owners to turn into good pets that feel safe, secure, and comfortable in their surroundings. So always be kind to your rabbits, and they will repay you with lots and lots of cuddles!

Do rabbits get stressed when moved?

Rabbits love to stay in one place. If you move their area around, they may get stressed out, but after a few times, it will be alright for them. You can try putting hay in the new place to make it smell familiar. They also need time to adjust, so leave them alone and don’t scare or bother them when they are near the spot where you moved their cage/home/hutch from. The best thing is, if possible, not to move their home at all!

Another thing to remember is that rabbits may become grumpy, moody, and stop eating if they’re stressed out. The problem may be as simple as needing a new hut for their cage, so don’t panic too much! The only thing you should do is take them to a professional rabbit breeder to give you some advice on the situation or check with your vet.

Related Articles:

• How Long Can Rabbits go without Water? – Suprising Facts

• Can rabbits vomit or Throw up? – Everything You Need to Know