In very simple terms, rabbits are happy when they are healthy, well cared for, and have a safe and enriching environment to live in. You will know if your rabbit is happy because they will: Lie down with a relaxed body. Lie down with a stretched body, still relaxed.
A good place to start is to look at your rabbit's ears. If they're close together, facing upwards and pointing outwards, your rabbit is likely to be relaxed and happy. If they're worried, their ears will be flattened against their back.
While on the floor the ears are forward and the face is relaxed. Being handled the ears are back and the face is no longer looking relaxed. While you are holding your rabbit it is hard to see their face or reaction yourself, so look in a mirror and check if their eyes look normal or are they bulging with fear.
They constantly want to be pet
They love spending time with you, and they love the attention you're giving them. It also shows that they're not afraid of being picked up every time you interact, since most rabbits do not like being held. Rabbits will lay down next to you if they trust you.
Clucking – This can sound like a rabbit hiccup, It's a contented noise, similar to the bruxing noise happy rats make. It's not incredibly common, but it's most frequently heard when the rabbit is eating or sleeping and contented. Purring – Just like a cat, a rabbit makes a purring noise when it's happy and contented.
A soft, shiny coat is an indicator of good rabbit health. As part of the wellness check, run your hands through your rabbit's fur. Check for any skin irritation, loss of fur, and fleas or fur mites. Fur mites can be detected by white scabs or crusty skin, but those symptoms can also be dandruff.
Because rabbits are social animals, they will often get depressed if they are left alone for too long.
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.
Domestic rabbits will bite as hard as they need to. Sometimes your rabbit will just give you a little gentle nip. This can sometimes be your rabbit showing affectionate or trying to groom you. A nip may also be a gentle, first warning when your rabbit is trying to tell you something.
Nose Nudging: Nose nudging is another behavior that has several meanings. Rabbits might nudge, push, or toss things around as a form of play, to solicit attention from you, or as a territorial behavior meaning “mine!” or “get out of the way!” Rabbits can be very territorial and particular.
Bunnies are social animals, and, with a few rare exceptions, they need rabbit company. However, if properly and carefully introduced, some rabbits can bond with other animals, such as cats and dogs. You can also keep a solo rabbit, as long as you provide several hours per day of social interaction.
If you spend a lot of time with your rabbit, they will undoubtedly miss you when you're away, the same way you miss them.
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.
In the wild, rabbits would spend their time digging, running, jumping, rearing up, hiding, eating, socialising with other rabbits (and being alone sometimes too). To allow your pet rabbits to carry out their natural behaviours they need to be given plenty to do.
Rabbits love nothing more than having the space to run around, play, dig and explore while enjoying a bit of 'me' time. Show your bunnies you love them by offering a secure environment where they can display these natural behaviours safely away from predators. A happy rabbit is a loved rabbit!
Staring is very common in rabbits. It's likely your rabbit stares at you out of love and happiness, but they could also be hungry, or confused. Rabbits also have a transparent eyelid that they use while they sleep, which may make it seem like they are staring.
Their favorite areas are on the cheeks, forehead, shoulders, and back. These are areas where rabbits usually groom each other, so they'll appreciate you petting them here. Stick with these areas to ensure your rabbit is happy and has a good experience. Generally, don't try to rub their chins.
If you have a single rabbit, it's never too late for them to bond with another rabbit. If you have a young rabbit (under 12 weeks old) you'll usually be able to introduce another young rabbit of the same sex easily. If you have an older rabbit it take a little longer.
If you have enough space, or a garden, you can play "chase" with your rabbit. This does not mean you chasing the rabbit, although some rabbits do enjoy this and may initiate it themselves by flicking their ears and racing away from you playfully.
Rabbits can live quite happily indoors and they should be provided with secure accommodation where they can feel safe, sleep, use a particular area as a toilet, and be confined to when unsupervised.
Anything longer than 24 hours is too long – and even that is pushing the solitude limits of rabbits. Rabbits are social creatures and require about as much, if not more, interaction and maintenance as dogs do and more than some cats need. Considering rabbits to be low-maintenance pets does them a grave disservice.
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.
Mixed-sex pairs usually work best, so if you are thinking of getting rabbits for the first time, it's advisable to get a male and female, although same-sex pairs are not uncommon. Obviously, if you take on an already bonded pair, then it's all been done for you!