Behaviour: How to tell when your rabbit is unwell

One of the most important things you can do as a rabbit owner is to learn what's normal behaviour for your individual rabbit. Why? Because knowing your rabbit's usual routines, from when they eat, to how much they poop and where they like to sleep, means you're in a much better position to spot when something's not quite right. A rabbit's behaviour reflects their health and wellbeing so subtle changes in behaviour can be the first clue that they're feeling unwell or stressed.

Behaviours the Signal Illness

Rabbits are prey animals, and one of their survival instincts is to hide signs of weakness so they don't catch the attention of predators. Even in the safety of a loving home, they often don't show obvious symptoms of illness until they're very unwell. That's why changes in behaviour - like acting withdrawn, showing less interest in food or play, or just seeming "off" - can sometimes be the only sign you'll get of a problem.

If your rabbit seems different and you're at all concerned, it's always safest to get in touch with your vet for advice. Some behavioural changes, such as not eating and/or pooping should be treated as emergencies and need immediate veterinary attention (day or night).

Important: This guide is not a tool for diagnosing your rabbit's health issues, it's a guide to signs that you should consider potential concerns. Always consult a vet if you're worried about any aspect of your rabbit's behaviour or health.

Changes to watch for:

Eating Habits

Loss of appetite is one of the most serious signs something's wrong. If your rabbit stops eating altogether, it should be treated as an emergency. Other eating-related warning signs include:

Chewing differently than usual
Drooling or wet fur around the mouth/under the chin
Only eating favourite foods or soft items
Leaving more food than normal

Track what and how much your rabbit eats each day so you can notice any subtle changes. If you are worried, try offering your rabbit a treat or some of their dry food (something they would usually be very keen to eat) and check that they show their usual level of enthusiasm for food and they eat it normally.

Toilet Habits

Toilet habits go hand in hand with eating habits and often a change in one is linked with a change in the other. Rabbits guts are designed to process lots of food which means a lot of poop. Rabbit digestion is incredibly sensitive, and changes in toileting are good indicator of a health issue. Things to keep an eye on include:

Producing fewer or smaller droppings
Urinating more or less frequently
Urinating outside the litter tray (if normally litter trained)
Diarrhoea or a complete lack of droppings - both are emergencies

Regularly monitoring your rabbit's litter area is a helpful way to spot problems early. You'll soon learn what a normal amount and size droppings are for your rabbit. If you suspect a change but aren't sure, try cleaning out the tray so you can observe more closely what's being produced (and most rabbits will use a tray when it's just been cleaned to remark it with their scent).

Grooming

Rabbits are typically very clean animals and keep their fur in good condition. A scruffy coat, dirty bottom, or matted fur often suggests that something's stopping them from grooming properly.

Watch for:

Excessive scratching or shaking their head
Pulling out fur (unless nest building)
Wet or crusty fur around the eyes of nostrils
A buildup of droppings around the rear
Wet fur around the tail or inside of the back legs
General untidiness in their coat

Whilst you might think coat related issues would relate to skin conditions, they can sometimes actually be signs of mobility problems, dental pain, or other health concerns that's making it difficult or uncomfortable for your rabbit to perform their usual grooming.

Activity & Engagement

Every rabbit has their own personality - some are naturally more relaxed, while others are little bundles of energy. The key is knowing what's normal for your bunny and the more you spend time with them the more you'll grow to understand their individual habits and routines.

Look out for:

Less interest in toys, exploration or play
Being slower to approach you or greet you
Becoming withdrawn or unusually aggressive
Spending more time hiding or lying still

Reduced activity can be a sign of illness, especially when combined with changes in appetite or toileting.

Movement and Posture

Changes in how your rabbit moves can indicate discomfort or injury. Keep an eye out for:

Limping or favouring a limb
Dragging the back legs or stumbling
Difficulty hopping onto platforms
Difficulty balancing or falling over
Abnormal head posture (e.g. head tilted to one side)

If you notice any of these, try to capture a short video for your vet - rabbits often mask symptoms at the vet, so it's really helpful to show what you've seen at home.

Recognising Pain in Rabbits

Signs of pain in rabbits are often very subtle, often you'll noticed other symptoms like a lack of toileting or refusing food first. Subtle signs include:

Sitting hunched or seeming very tense with all their legs tucked in
Eyes tense or semi-closed
Reluctance to move
Grinding teeth loudly (not to be confused with quiet tooth purring during grooming)
Frequently shifting position or pressing their tummy to the floor

Pain from gut issues (such as stasis) often results in restlessness and stomach pressing - if you spot this, call your vet immediately.

Breathing Concerns

Rabbits breathe through their noses, so any kind of attempt at mouth breathing is an emergency. Watch for:

Noisy or laboured breathing
Breathing through the mouth
Blue or pale lips or gums
Holding the head/nose up to help breathe

These can all be signs of serious respiratory distress and need prompt veterinary care.

When a Rabbit Seems Unresponsive

It's not unusual for rabbits to sleep in positions that look alarming - on their side, flat out, or even upside down! However, you'll quickly learn what's normal for your bunny. You only need to worry if:

They don't respond to noise or movement like they normally would
Your rabbit is limp or floppy
They don't act normally once woken up

In these situations, it should be treated as an emergency.

Final Thoughts

Understanding your rabbit's behaviour is one of the most important tools you have as a pet owner. Rabbits can't tell us with words when something's wrong, so it's up to us to watch carefully and spot potential problems. By learning your rabbits normal habits and routines, you'll be better able to catch issues early and get them the help they need - prompt action can often head off a problem before it becomes serious.

Even small changes can mean something significant. Trust your instincts. If your rabbit's behaviour seems unusual and you're worried, don't wait - contact your vet for advice.

If you're interested in learning more about rabbit behaviour and how it can help you care for your rabbit, check out my book Understanding Your Rabbit's Habits for a comprehensive guide to rabbit behaviour packed full of illustrations.

Did this article help you understand your rabbit's behaviour? If so, you might like to try my book: Understanding Your Rabbit's Habits