Rabbit Body Language Decoded

Binky

A leap into the air with a mid-jump twist of the body. Pure rabbit joy. Usually happens at dawn, dusk, or after fresh hay. If you’ve never seen one, you haven’t given your rabbit enough run space yet.

Flop

The rabbit suddenly throws themselves on their side and lies still. First-time owners panic — it looks like the rabbit has died. They haven’t. This is total, unselfconscious relaxation. Only rabbits who feel safe flop. It’s a compliment.

Zoomies / 500

Sudden bursts of running in tight circles, often round your feet. Variant of the binky. Excitement, anticipation of food, sometimes just “I am a rabbit and I am ALIVE”.

Soft tooth-grinding (purring)

Quiet, rhythmic. Almost like a cat purr. Contentment, usually during gentle stroking on the forehead or behind the ears. Different from loud, painful tooth-grinding (see below).

Nose bonk

The rabbit nudges you with their nose, then moves away. Translation: “more attention please” or “you’re in my way”. Context tells you which.

Chinning

Rubbing the underside of the chin on objects, you, other rabbits. They have scent glands there. Translation: “Mine.” Compliment if it’s on you.

Loafing

Sitting with all four feet tucked under the body, ears relaxed. Like a furry loaf of bread. Means the rabbit feels safe enough to commit to a position they can’t flee from instantly.

Slow blink

The rabbit’s eyes close slowly while looking at you. Same meaning as in cats: “I trust you, I’m calm.” Blink slowly back — they usually return it.

Grooming you

Small licks on your hand, arm, or face. This is the highest social signal a rabbit has. They’re treating you as a bonded partner.

Lying down to be groomed

If your rabbit flops at your feet and pushes their head toward you, they want you to stroke their forehead and cheeks. Don’t go for the back or bottom — rabbits dislike that.

Thump

A sharp, loud strike of one or both back feet on the floor. Translation: “Danger.” Could be a real threat (cat in the garden) or a perceived one (the vacuum). Always investigate.

Lunge

The rabbit darts forward at you with ears flat back. A warning to back off, not a real bite (usually). Often happens when reaching into the hutch — territorial. Approach from the side, hand low, let them come to you.

Boxing

Rearing up and striking with the front paws. Serious annoyance. Stop whatever you’re doing.

Tail flick / tail up

A held-up tail with flicks of irritation. Often paired with chinning — the rabbit is annoyed but also marking territory. Disengage.

Growl

A low, guttural noise. Rabbits growl. Most people don’t know this until they hear it. It means “I will bite”.

Hunched posture, eyes half-closed

Sitting tightly bunched up, not moving, eyes squinted. Classic pain posture. Rabbits hide illness; if you can see it, it’s already significant.

Loud tooth-grinding

Louder, harsher, more sporadic than the soft purring kind. Pain signal.

Not eating hay, no droppings

A rabbit that hasn’t eaten hay or pooped for 12 hours is in gut stasis — potentially fatal within 24–48 hours. Emergency vet.

Head tilt

Head permanently cocked to one side, often with loss of balance. Could be inner-ear infection or E. cuniculi parasite. Treatable but urgent.

Wheezing, runny nose, sneezing

Respiratory infection (“snuffles”). Spreads to other rabbits and progresses fast. Vet.

Drooling, wet chin

Dental disease. Common, very painful, totally fixable if caught early.