Odd posture when being pet

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 7sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 8 months ago by Mikey.

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- 06/30/2017 at 10:32 PM
  Willow Lien
  Participant
  50 posts
  Two of my bunnies do this occasionally. I tried searching but am likely not using the correct terms as I am not sure how to describe it.
  
  So I will be petting my bunny and he/she will be in a loaf and then they will press their rear or hips to the floor…like their back-end in flat but the front it normal. It is rather hard to explain. It looks very odd. It is random and if I stop petting they will stay like that a few seconds then revert to normal loaf shape or something. They are not in pain. One is female and one a male so it is not related to that.
  
  Mine cannot be the only two…is there a term for this and a reason?
- 06/30/2017 at 11:16 PM
  Hugo's Hooman
  Participant
  3 posts
  Do you mean that the posture is as I’d their lower half is sort of on their side while their front paws and head are upright? If so, my little Hugo does that too and it seems to me that their just relaxing
- 07/01/2017 at 7:30 AM
  ThorBunny
  Participant
  824 posts
  Do they look like this?
  
  From the wonderful site, language of lagomorphs
  
  Or are the feet straight back? In either case, they are just being comfy. Rabbits can get into some weird positions. It just sounds like they enjoy being pet a particular way
- 07/01/2017 at 8:41 AM
  Willow Lien
  Participant
  50 posts
  No that’s not it. I do not know how to describe it. They start in a loaf, then the back-end presses down to the ground like they are trying to touch their spine to the ground. It does not look comfortable but they seem happy. It is not what I would call a relaxed position. Well boo I cannot get a photo because it happens so rarely and I do not usually have my phone with me.
- 07/01/2017 at 8:47 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5834 posts
  It sounds like a posture Wick does sometimes, and if it is I’d say it’s normal.
  
  He ends up shaped like an eggplant because his feet disappear and he’s so flat at his rear end I’m always shocked and just think he has the ability to retract his legs into his body. When petting his spine from the back of his neck to his tail, it’s 100% flat– it does not arch up like he’s loafing.
  
  Does this sound like the posture?
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 07/12/2017 at 9:40 AM
  Willow Lien
  Participant
  50 posts
  It’s actually more like a depressed spine. The best I can think to describe is when a rabbit is humping…(sorry for the comparison) and they are thrusting, the back is actually pressed more in.
  
  I think it is a tickle response after seeing it several more times. Like they are cringing. Yet they do not care, I guess the pets are worth it lol.
- 07/12/2017 at 10:00 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5834 posts
  Haha from what you’re describing, it sounds like what Wick does when he scrunches up. If you’re rabbit looks happy with the tickles, that seems fine!
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 07/12/2017 at 5:21 PM
  Mikey
  Participant
  3186 posts
  Seconding that it sounds like a tickled bun! All three of mine hunch over/scrunch their back end when theyve been tickled
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