Being DOMINENT? or playing??

[Toki+Pumpkin+Elmo]

I have 2 lionheads, Toki and Pumpkin.  I was successful at bonding the two (I just got Pumkin few months ago) and they seemed to be a perfect match.

But I’m starting a notice a weird behavior for about two weeks now. Out of nowhere, Pumpkin starts running around in the cage screaming nonstop. While doing this, her tail looks like a dog wagging his tail.

In the meanwhile, Toki just freezes at the spot for a minute and starts to chase her. Or starts to run with her. She doesnt make any noise though.

Then sometimes (I’ve noticed this only twice), Toki just falls on her side like she’s playing dead or fainting. She’ll lay there for a minute before getting up.

I’m confused and concerned about whether this is their game or something that I should be worry about. If anyone knows anything about this, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Sarita]

How old are your rabbits? Are they spayed and neutered? Is she really screaming? This is not normal, rabbits usually only scream if they are in fear – is it screaming or grunting? Are these 2 females? It sounds like it.

Toki is just doing a bunny flop, it means she is content.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Hmm, it sounds to me like the hormones might be kicking in and if your rabbit is flopping onto its side after running around like that, Pumpkin could be exhausting itself. Are you sure your rabbits are both females and have they been fixed?

[Toki+Pumpkin+Elmo]

Yes. They are both females and have been fixed. This behavior is repeated about every other day. At least that’s what I’ve noticed.

How long does a rabbit to take to get used to a new home? Pumpkin kinda still stomp her feet when my dog comes by.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Hmm, what happens when you separate them or have you tried? It doesn’t sound like that they are bonding too well but I’ll send an e-mail to the other mods who might be able to shed some light on this situation.

[BB Administrator]

This is baffling. So just to make clear, when you say she is screaming….she is actually screaming? I mean I know bunnies can do that when they are scared or in pain. And she probably flops out exhaustion or even shock. You mentioned your dog, is your dog making noise or anywhere in the area where she can see. Could this behavior be caused by her fear of your dog? If not, then I am concerned she’s in pain somehow. Does she do this after she eats by chance?

This is actually BinkyBunny, I just forgot to get out of admin mode!  Been doin that all night. grrrr

Helloworld!!

[Gravehearted]

it doesn’t sound like play to me.

When a rabbit screams it sounds like bloody murder. Rabbits only scream when they are terrified or in serious pain. It isn’t snorted or barking is it?
Are they attacking each other or it just the running beside each other and some chasing? I am worried there is some serious health issue if she is in fact screaming.

The drama flop is sometimes seen at my house too. Does she roll over and act dead for about a minute? I read somewhere that it can be a message of ha, i’m out and you aren’t.

[Toki+Pumpkin+Elmo]

I’ve been sitting with them all day today to examine the behavior. It looks like Toki keep approaching her for whatever reason. But Pumpkin doesnt like it. So she actually charges at Toki. Pumpkin will stand big with her two feet wide apart and she charges at toki while making this grunting/screaming noise. 

I’ve seperated them for now.  Fortunately, Pumpkin is eating and seems ok. Cant find any external pain or injuries. But I’m taking them to my vet this week. 

[MooBunnay]

Hi!

As far as the foot stomping – it sounds like your bunny feels that your dog is a threat. The foot stomping is done to warn other rabbits nearby of danger, so I don’t think you rabbit feels comfortable around your dog yet. If you can, I’d try to make sure your dog can only be around the bunnies when you are there, and you can pet your bunnies and comfort them when the dog is around so that the bunnies won’t feel so threatened. My bunnies are very scared of dogs, if someone even smells like a dog when petting my bunnies they sense danger and will stomp their feet and hide.

As far as the “screaming” – can you clarify what it sounds like? I think if it was a scream it would sound almost like a human scream, be very high pitched, and your bunny would either be in extreme pain or extreme fear. My boy and girl bunny are bonded however, and make that grunt sound when they are playing. My boy bunny will grunt at Juli and scratch at her with his front paws to try to get her to play chase with him.

[Sarita]

When some of my rabbits stomp they make a whooshing/grunting noise before they stomp, this is what is sounds like Pumpkin is making to me.

It’s like a whoosh, thump, grunt all in a row. She sounds like a very vocal rabbit to me.

[Author]

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