Loafed / Splooting: Loafing or splooting is when your rabbit is in relaxation mode. They're either bundled up and looking like a little loaf with their front legs tucked in to form a rounded shape or stretched out with their back legs stretched out behind them.
Loafing: Tucking their front paws underneath them is often a relaxed, comfortable position for your rabbit when resting. Sprawling posture is when your rabbit is relaxed, their back legs are to one side, and their front feet are forward with the head up. This type of lounge means they are very comfortable and relaxed.
Rabbits can let you know that they're relaxed, comfortable and happy by just lying down. There are three distinct ways of lying down that show this: If they're lying with their legs tucked underneath them. If they're lying with their front paws pointing forward and rear legs stuck out sideways.
Laying with head flat on the ground: The rabbit is being submissive and might be requesting to be pet or groomed.
Rabbits that are floppy, weak, sitting or lying in an odd position might be injured or dehydrated. It is important to carefully observe rabbits and get to know their natural behaviors and positions so you can notice when something is abnormal.
Signs of stress may include: appearing nervous (freezing, hunched up with ears flat against the body) being excessively jumpy and watchful (bulging eyes) being aggressive to people or other rabbits, particularly if the behaviour is unusual.
These rabbits are relaxed and happy, with ears close together, facing slightly backwards and pointing outwards. Their eyes may be partly closed. Rabbit is lying down, with a relaxed body posture and legs tucked under the body. Rabbit is lying down, with front paws pointing forward and rear legs stuck out sideways.
Relaxed body.
Their bodies will look relaxed and comfortable and they won't seem on edge. There are lots of ways your rabbit might show they are relaxed, usually when lying down. They might sit with their legs tucked under their bodies (like a little rabbit loaf!), or lie down completely stretched out.
Rabbits can take a variety of positions when they're feeling content - they may tuck their legs under their bodies; lie down with their front paws pointing forward and rear legs stuck out sideways; or fully extend their bodies and stretch out their back legs while pointing their front paws forward.
Petting a rabbit may be a great method to soothe them and help them relax. If your rabbit is defensive, scratch him behind the ears and forehead. Keep an eye on your rabbit's body language to see if he's still on the lookout for danger.
Stress: Rabbits that are in a stressful situation, such as being kept in a cage that's too small, may resort to over-grooming as a way to keep calm. Boredom: Rabbits that don't have enough toys to play with or aren't getting enough socialization might get bored. They'll groom themselves as a way of keeping occupied.
It's extremely important to contact your vet straight away if you notice your rabbit is eating less than normal. There are many different problems that could have caused your rabbit to stop eating, but some of the most common include dental disease, stress, and gut problems.
They put their head on the ground and close their eyes in contentment. They also love getting a good back scratch around the shoulders. That said, they tend not to like being touched on the ears, neck, feet, stomach or tail. Usually, my bunnies are most receptive to petting when they're relaxing after a meal.
You should avoid leaving a rabbit alone for more than 24 hours. This is because rabbits can get sick suddenly and require immediate medical attention. Conditions such as GI Stasis are very common, so you should always have someone checking in on your rabbit daily even if you are only away for the weekend.
Because rabbits are social animals, they will often get depressed if they are left alone for too long.
Ask any bunny owner who interacts regularly with his pet and he'll tell you that, just like dogs or cats, rabbits get to know their owners well. They recognize them by voice and sight and will even come on command. Bunnies may even follow their owners from room to room and jump up on their laps when called.
If your rabbits aren't getting enough mental or physical stimulation, they'll be spending a fair amount of their day sitting around, bored. Over time, this can lead to destructive behaviours like chewing. Your rabbits might also display aggressive behaviour like growling, scratching or biting when handled.
Look for pinned back ears and a crouched position.
If you notice that your rabbit has their ears completely pinned back against their body, they might be feeling nervous. They will usually be in a tense, crouched position. They might look like they're trying to flatten themselves to the ground.
Abnormal rabbit behaviour
Signs to look out for include biting the bars of their hutch, nipping at you, fur pulling or reduced grooming, changes in eating, drinking or toilet patterns, aggression, circling their run, sitting hunched up and hiding more than normal.