Overview. A head tilt in a rabbit is usually caused by a problem inside the ear or brain (where the balance centre sits). Inner ear infections and E. caniculi (a tiny parasite that causes swelling in the brain) are the two most common causes of a head tilt in a rabbit.
The eye on the affected side of the head could also possibly droop and look painful. It's always very obvious that this condition is disorientating for bunnies, and they find it stressful to move their heads or be touched.
Ears: Like many other animals, such as horses or cats, a rabbit's ears are very expressive and can tell you if a rabbit is upset, alert, or relaxed. Rabbit ears that are pinned flat back with a tense body may indicate the rabbit is upset, angry, or scared.
If the head tilt is extreme, a steroid may be prescribed in an attempt to reduce the inflammation. If the rabbit is not eating or drinking, the doctor may recommend that fluids be administered subcutaneously and food given orally by syringe.
This means that your rabbit wants you to pet her. Sometimes the rabbit will nudge your arm or your leg instead, but if she's putting her head down then a massage is in order. Rabbits absolutely love to be pet, especially on their forehead and behind their ears (but not under their chin, like cats do).
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.
Most cases of head tilt are associated with a condition called torticollis, although in rare instances a head tilt can be due to other causes such as hearing loss, misalignment of the eyes, reflux (a flowing back of stomach acid into the esophagus), a throat or lymph node infection, or, very uncommonly, a brain tumor.
Tilting your head to one side is a signal that you are listening and involved. As such, head tilts can be very empathetic and warm. But they are also subconsciously processed as submission signals. (Dogs tilt their heads to expose their necks, as a way to show deference to the dominant animal.)
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.
Move slowly and talk quietly around rabbits so as not to startle them. They're more likely to be relaxed in a quiet and calm handling environment. Picking rabbits up when you're close to ground level is less likely to scare them, and is also safer, as it helps prevent them from being dropped from a height by accident.
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.
Rabbits should not be picked up by the scruff of their neck; proper gentle handling should be used instead. Appropriate handling will be safer and less distressing to the rabbit. A rabbit must never be lifted or held by the ears. This is distressing, painful, and cruel, and can also damage the ears.
It often indicates they are either hungry, upset, tired, cold, etc. Rabbits and other animals are essentially the same when it comes to this type of communication between animals and humans.
Signs of pain include: > grinding teeth > rapid and shallow breathing > pulling hair > decreased grooming > hunched posture > lethargy > increased thirst and urination > a reluctance to move > bulging, strained, staring, or unfocused eyes.
An easy way to tell which of your rabbits it dominant over the other is to watch them grooming one another. Typically, the dominant animal will groom far less frequently, and for far shorter periods of time than the other. You will often see the dominant rabbit thrusting their head towards the other one.
If your rabbits are mounting each other a lot, instigating fights, stop them, place them side by side. Pet them together and talk to them quietly. Do not let much chasing ensue. If they are persistently aggressive, separate them to prevent injuries.
A woman condensing herself into a small space or having a slouching posture shows that she is submissive and not in control. On the other hand, a woman who is sitting or standing very straight, shoulders back, and feet spread apart shows an air of commanding and authority.
A persistent head tilt can be a sign of a brain imbalances that needs addressing, even if you don't have other symptoms. These brain imbalances may manifest as more serious problems down the road. By addressing what is causing your head tilt early, you can improve brain performance and prevent future problems.
Successful treatment of otitis interna and/or E. cuniculi may take 2-3 months. Occasionally the head tilt does not completely resolve; however, many rabbits adjust well to even a significant head tilt, and there is no apparent impact on quality of life.
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.
Your rabbit may show signs of wanting attention from you by nudging you, softly biting or even making digging notions directly on you. On the other hand, they may show signs of withdrawing from you, refusing interaction and not responding when you try to pet or play. A lonely rabbit may become hyperactive and angry.
Adult rabbits: 18 months – 7 years. As your rabbit reaches their adult years, they will calm down a little and settle into their own personality. You and your rabbit will start to know each other better and trust each other more. It's the time when your rabbit settles down to be a part of the family.