Growling/hissing/grunting Your rabbit is angry, feels threatened and is showing disapproval. Your rabbit may, for example, be saying 'Leave me alone' if he doesn't want to be handled, or if he wants to protect his territory – such as his cage or food – from a human hand or another rabbit.
If she pulls sway, growls, grunts or paws, tell her (firmly) she is quite rude and continue to ignore her. NEVER HIT OR SHOUT AT A BUNNY, AND NEVER FORCE THEIR AFFECTIONS. Eventually she will be curious. She may want to nibble on your magazine, sit on you, or simply lie down next to you.
Approach your rabbits quietly and calmly, making soothing noises and taking care not to make any sudden movements that could startle them. Ideally, train your bunny to like to be handled, or re-train them if they're showing signs that they don't enjoy being handled.
If they are sitting upright and their front paws are 'boxing' at you, they are likely very unhappy. Vocalising. Rabbits don't tend to make much noise and when they do it's a sign they're feeling very threatened. You may hear them grunting or growling and in extreme cases, they can scream.
Why do rabbits grunt? If your rabbit grunts, it usually means she is angry – and possibly feels threatened. Sometimes, grunting is followed by a nip or bite. Some rabbits do not like it when you rearrange their cages as you clean; they may grunt, charge or even nip you when you try.
The first thought in a rabbit's mind when encountering another rabbit is "are you superior or inferior to me?" Classic signs of dominance are mounting (this can be done by either a male or female), chasing, circling and, if the other rabbit doesn't submit, nipping and fur pulling.
The most common sign that a rabbit is upset is when they give you the cold shoulder, ignoring you and refusing to take any treats. Rabbits holding a grudge will also flick their feet and people and urinate in places they normally wouldn't.
A rabbit who is angry will quickly twitch their tail up and down. Beware the rabbit holding their tail up, it is frequently followed by spraying. Rabbits who are not spayed and neutered will spread their scent by spraying everything in sight. They may also do this when they are upset or simply dislike a person.
Try to refrain from holding them every single time you interact with them. If you are trying to gain the trust of a shy rabbit, you will want to completely stop picking them up until your rabbit is very comfortable around you. Otherwise keep the cuddles to a minimum so that your rabbit doesn't become afraid of you.
Start petting your rabbit
As they get more comfortable with being touched, you can start giving them scritches on their forehead and behind the ears. Eventually, you'll even be able to give them strokes down their back and give them a nice massage.
Growling. Grunting or growling is a sign your rabbit is angry or stressed. You may be invading their territory, and they're telling you to back off. Aggressive behavior will most likely ensue, so watch out.
This aggression is hormonal and indicates a normal desire to defend their territory and ward off any rivals. This behaviour can often disappear by the end of the summer and may not reappear until the following spring. This behaviour should be reduced by neutering (males) and spaying (females).
Rabbits are also capable of growling, snorting, and hissing, all of which are generally associated with signs of aggression. Whimpering and thumping (a sharp stomp of the hind feet) are often associated with fear. The final, most worrisome sound a rabbit makes is screaming.
A: Rabbits usually show aggression towards humans (and other rabbits) because of fear or frustration, or because they want to defend their territory. This can include nipping, biting and thumping their feet loudly on the ground; some rabbits also scream, which can be unsettling.
In the wild, rabbits live in big groups and they enjoy being with friends who will play with them, groom them, understand them and look out for them. So if these sociable animals are kept on their own, they may become bored, depressed, and very lonely.
Rabbits typically run away from people because they are afraid or angry. The rabbit has learned from past experiences that humans will chase them, pick them up, or trap them into a small cage. Naturally, their instincts will see people as dangerous predators that need to be avoided.
Understanding your rabbit's feelings
If they're worried, their ears will be flattened against their back. You can also look at your rabbit's eyes and body posture, as well as their behaviour - for example, a rabbit may be anxious if they're hiding.
Growling/hissing/grunting
Your rabbit is angry, feels threatened and is showing disapproval. Your rabbit may, for example, be saying 'Leave me alone' if he doesn't want to be handled, or if he wants to protect his territory – such as his cage or food – from a human hand or another rabbit.
This is when one rabbit pushes themself against the ground and lays their ears down their back. This is submissive behavior. The lower-ranking rabbit will assume this posture if they believe the dominant rabbit is upset and don't want to challenge the higher-ranking bunny.