Rabbits do a “Happy' flop or as some call it the 'Dead bunny' flop. If you see your rabbit do this, it means they are very happy & relaxed. From standing they flop on to one side quite quickly and lay still for a few seconds or minutes.
Flopping: A flop is when your bunny rolls over onto their side. This indicates contentment when bunnies roll over and flop down to relax.
When your rabbit lays their head down flat on the ground, they are enjoying being pet and are laying still so that you continue. They might even close their eyes or nudge your hand if you stop petting them.
Rabbits flop onto their sides like this when they are extremely happy and content. They also display it when they feel very safe and relaxed in their environment. Of course, bunny flopping isn't just your rabbit reacting to its feelings; it's actually 'talking.
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.
5. Nudging, head butting or rubbing against you is rabbit body language for loving attention. 'Give them a stroke or cuddle, or what you know they enjoy', says Rosie. 'Rubbing their faces against you is a way of sharing their scent profile, and showing that you really are friends.
If your rabbits look tucked up and quiet with their chins tucked in and noses not twitching this can be a sure sign of them feeling unhappy or stressed, as this is not a normal position for a rabbit. Moving or running away. Your rabbits may turn and move away from you (or each other) if they're unhappy.
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.
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.
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.
Rabbits like to play and need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. Ideally you want to provide them with up to 4 hours daily of supervised time out of their cage. Rabbits are subject to depression and poor health if they're not provided with daily interaction and mental stimulation.
Because rabbits are social animals, they require daily interaction and attention (which is why it's helpful to adopt a pair). They aren't happy languishing in a cage day after day. For several hours daily, they need time outside the cage to socialize, exercise, and explore.
The best places to pet a rabbit are their forehead and behind their ears. The cheeks and strokes down their backs are also good spots. But rabbits dislike being pet on their bottom, feet, chin, and underside.
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.
Because rabbits are social animals, they will often get depressed if they are left alone for too long.
Rabbits lick for affection, not for salt. Licking means “I love you, I trust you.” Lunging may occur when you reach into your rabbit's cage to clean, give food, or to take your rabbit out – a sign of disapproval.
Rabbits will remember the people that they spend a lot of time with, and this includes their owners and caretakers. As prey animals, they have neurologically developed with a strong long-term memory for places and routines. You can use these associations to help strengthen your rabbit's memory of you.
Bunnies show affection by grooming, so if your rabbits gently nuzzle, lick, and perhaps even try to nibble you gently, they are showing you that they love and care for you. This is also a sign of submission.
They lay next to you
If a rabbit comes next to you and lays on their side, they are telling you that they trust you. This is even more-so when your rabbit goes to sleep next to you. If your rabbit ever completely flops down next to you or starts nodding off, you can be sure that they trust and love you very much.
It's literally a bunny's happy dance and sometimes will occur when a rabbit runs laps around the room – a behavior that many call “zoomies.” When rabbits display these behaviors, they're showing us that they are full of energy, happy and excited!
Rabbits are small and low to the ground. They are also primary prey animals. So anything coming from above is a big threat, and their instinct is to race away. Even if they can see YOU are the thing coming from above, that instinct is so strong, and so ingrained, that they really can hardly help themselves.