Bunny behaviour

[Klimt]

My bun is awesome, really the best thing that has happened to me. I read a lot about how they communicate, but I still don’t understand what he means by shaking his head. Sometimes I understand that he doesn’t want a treat I’m giving him, but he also shakes his head when he hops in his litter box. sometimes he shakes his head for no apparent reason whatsoever. 

Another thing is, he often opens his mouth and licks his lips. Another thing that worries me, is that he sometimes chatters his teeth,it’s like a “click-click” sound, which isn’t monotonous, so I’m guessing it’s not pain-related.

And finally, a very amusing thing – he likes to grab my hand with his paws. He immediately lets it go, and it’s very amusing and cute, but I’m just wondering what that means?

[Sarita]

Rabbit behavior is one of those things you have to take into context the whole environment or what is going on when your rabbit does a certain thing.

I would say that shaking his head probably means he’s happy – that’s what I usually observe when I see my rabbit Bobby shake his head. If you think it’s for no apparent reason (or at least that you can deduce) then it could be an ear problem…so it’s one of those behaviors you have to just decide what it is based on what you see. But for Bobby, I think it’s just a general indication of happiness.

Usually teeth chattering is a sign of contentment – much like a cat purr. If it’s due to pain then you’ll see other indications that he is in pain or other changes in behavior.

Grabbing your hand with his paws? Sounds adorable but I’m not entirely sure what it could mean – possible he is just trying too figure out what the hand is if you are trying to pet him – rabbits see things differently than we do so that is something to keep in mind too concerning your rabbit’s behavior.

[Klimt]

Yeah, that hand grabbing behavior appears from time to time, I think it’s a game of some sort he’s playing, similar to hiding the comb.
Today I noticed that he mostly shakes his head when he is happy, so, I guess that is cleared up. He is WAAAAY too active to be ill.
By the way, my bunny is not neutered, as his previous owners didn’t do that for some reason. I got him when he was 1 year +, so he is an adult. I spend about 5 hours or more playing with him, but no “springtime” behavior problems have really manifested – he did spray me once, but that was the only time (I had just brought him home then). He has never displayed any aggression, uses the litter box like a pro, he was very easy to train. To satisfy his romantic endeavors he has picked out a stuffed toy owl ;D. He even cleans the owl, and lies beside her. I tried to introduce a rabbit toy, but he didn’t care for it much, he is faithful to the owl. I’m really unsure about neutering him, because he is a lot older than the recommended age, and so far, the fifty shades of grey going on with the owl does seem to fulfill his needs. Any opinions on this matter? What are the pros and cons to a late neuter operation?

[JackRabbit]

While neutering can have health benefits, its nothing like spaying a female bun. If he isn’t spraying, uses his litterbox successfully, and is happy with his owl (!), I personally don’t see a need to worry about neutering him. I think its so cute that he not only “loves” his owl but that he has bonded with it too!

BTW, the head thing would be head binkies! Kieko does a fast head jerk for her head binkies, and Moshi does his more side to side so his ears flop up and down.

[JackRabbit]

Don’t know if anyone else does this, but if we do head binkies at Kieko, she will respond with a head binky most of the time. The M&Ms look at me like I’ve lost my mind, but Kieko plays along!

[Klimt]

Come to think of it, he does shake his head at me if I do the same. Well, must be that then. He binks a lot lately, he’s jumping and twisting in the air like a pro. Hard to believe that 2 months ago he wouldn’t even jump off the sofa, as with the previous owners he was trapped in a small hamster cage. But we did exercising a lot together, and now he’s quite an athlete.
I’ve noticed that he often opens his mouth and his tongue comes out for a bit. He does this repeatedly, sometimes he gives himself a quick bath. I thought it was stress related…but he doesn’t seem stressed at all, he seems to like me a lot, he is always at my feet whatever I do. There was a case when I fainted recently and he licked my face and my hair until I woke up again. He is really really a very good companion.

[Sarita]

Oh goodness – are you okay? Glad he was there to resuscitate you :~)

[Klimt]

Yes, I’m ok, it’s heart related, but Dr. Klimt definitely suspects hay and parsley deficiency, I was very surprised he tried to move some hay bits towards me. I can even pretend I’m eating together with him and he sometimes moves the smallest salad leaf toward me. He’s a real altruist. It’s really strange that he has never growled or lunged at me, he only attacks his wooden toy bricks.

[Sarita]

Too funny – he sounds like quite the character :~) I’m glad he likes to share his hay too – he knows what’s good for you.

[Klimt]

Yes, I’d be totally lost without him. And he always checks on me too., if I’m walking in the hallway, he is always in the doorway monitoring if I’m doing everything right. ;D. But there is a downside too, I must watch out for him, because if I’m moving rapidly in his direction he doesn’t give a carrot about it. He can suddenly turn up with his chin on my foot with no warning, funny little goofball. AND he also eats chili peppers. And of course, jeans, but new jeans for that matter, the only exception – jeans by Reserved. At least now I know which brand tastes best!

[Sarita]

You might start a new fashion trend – Jeans by Klimt! Some people really loved those distressed jeans.

[Klimt]

Yes, Klimt definetly thinks that pre- torn jeans is the trend.He is also very selective when tit comes to art, he only chews my paintings, the Klimt art book and Tamara Lempicka art book, however, he only pees on the Russian master’s art book.

[Author]

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