Rabbits will usually flip over their bowls either because they are bored or because they are trying to get more food out of them. However, many rabbits also see their bowls as toys and enjoy tossing them around for fun. It is more common for rabbits to flip their food bowls than water bowls, but both happen.
Rabbit's will often turn their water or food bowls over because they are bored and want to play with something. A lightweight plastic water dish or food bowl is easily picked up with their teeth and tossed. It is something to do.
Rabbit like to play, and tossing things is one of the ways they enjoy doing that. She may also be trying to tell you she wants more food. But it is absolutely typical. Be sure she has other things she can toss, use a heavy crock that can't be thrown, or wire the bowl to the cage if it's terribly annoying to you.
She likely doesn't want you to take it, or doesn't want to be disturbed while she eats it. Rabbits like to be able to see you at all times, out of prey instinct, and when they're eating they're more vulnerable, so they will move to a different area either to keep an eye on you from a distance, or to eat in private.
Boxing. 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.
Offer a treat
The easiest way to apologize to a rabbit is to offer them the treat. For many rabbits, this will immediately get you back into their good graces and they will no longer hold a grudge against you. However, even for rabbits who refuse the treat, the act of giving them something yummy doesn't go unnoticed.
Because rabbits are social animals, they will often get depressed if they are left alone for too long. A rabbit who is treated like a cage animal and left alone inside their enclosure day in and day out is very likely to become lonely and depressed. Instead, it's best to treat rabbits as companion animals.
Objects to play with or throw - such as untreated straw, wicker, sea-grass mats and baskets, balls and plastic flower pots. Solid plastic baby toys such as 'key rings', rattles, stacking cups and some robust cat and parrot toys can make good rabbit toys.
Giving a pet rabbit a whole bowl of concentrated food may result in it 'defending' it. If your bunny has a good-sized hutch and run (as all rabbits should have), scatter the food on the floor or in the grass rather than in a bowl.
It seems counterintuitive for a rabbit to risk their own safety in this way, but this is where we learn about the second function of thumping. Rabbits use the sound of their thump to let predators know they are ready. Predators will ideally want to use as little energy as they can to catch their meals.
Stress/Boredom
Many rabbits dig as a destructive behavior because they are feeling stressed or bored. Digging becomes therapeutic and helps your rabbit comfort themself or relieve their frustration. This is why you will often hear of rabbits digging into the corners of their cage when they are left alone all day.
Rabbits Can Thump Out of Anger/Frustration
Many owners will hear their rabbits thumping in the hutch and they might not even be nearby. Thumping when they're shut away can often be a sign that they're frustrated and potentially bored.
Signs that your rabbit might be bored
Rabbits might start chewing things that they shouldn't, destroying their pen, or trying to dig out. They might also start to over-groom themselves to give them something to do.
You may worry that your rabbit will be lonely. 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. The two of you have developed a bond and friendship that your pet rabbit also understands.
Rabbit ears that are pinned flat back with a tense body may indicate the rabbit is upset, angry, or scared. Rabbit ears that are flat back with a relaxed body just mean the rabbit is resting.
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.
Many rabbits can be taught to trust you enough to pick them up, however. Rabbits also have other ways to show affection. If your pet rabbit trusts you, it may flop down next to you. It may lean against you, and it may even sit in your lap.
The first thing you shouldn't do is hit them in any fashion. A rabbit will not construe any form of smack as a constructive comment on their behavior. Instead, they will become angry, affronted, and possibly even more aggressive.
What are rabbits afraid of? 'Rabbits are naturally fearful of anything coming from above, like their predators would. If we bend down to pick them up, that action is scary,' says Rosie. 'They also dislike being lifted up, as that's what happens when they're in a predator's mouth.