Looks like he's chewing but he's not

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 6sd replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 10 months ago by Kokaneeandkahlua.

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- 06/30/2011 at 10:28 PM
  ArtVandalay
  Participant
  2 posts
  Hi there!
  
  I’m new here with a 1yr old male mini-lop. My question is that the little dude often sits in his usual spot in the meatloaf position and his mouth is moving like he’s chewing on something but he’s not. He does this a lot lately; he’ll often do it when I rub his nose for example. He just starts moving the mouth as if he’s munching on a treat but he’s not actually eating. I can’t hear any tooth grinding sounds or anything and he appears relaxed from what I can tell. I’m just wondering if this is a sign of anything in particular I should be concerned about (pain?) or is it normal bunny behaviour (relaxed?)
  
  Thanks! 🙂
- 07/01/2011 at 4:06 AM
  Miles and Me
  Participant
  89 posts
  It is a normal behavior, but if you listen closely you should be able to hear a really slight grinding noise. Its a happy bunny behavior, and I believe it’s called bruxing. If he’s doing it a lot that’s good! If he’s doing it when you rub his nose, he likes that (so he probably wants more!). My mini lop, Miles, does it when I rub his ears and sometimes even if I’m just stroking his back. He’s a happy little guy, and it sounds like yours is too
- 07/01/2011 at 4:14 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  It is indeed “bruxing”, just like in people!
  
  Since it happens when you are petting him, I would take that as a sign of contentment. If you rub your fingertips along his cheek gently, you should feel the vibration of his lower jaw grinding against the upper jaw.
  
  If he is ever hunched up by himself and you hear audible grinding, that is a sign of pain or discomfort and should be addressed.
- 07/01/2011 at 6:58 AM
  ArtVandalay
  Participant
  2 posts
  Thanks heaps everyone. I’m new to the whole bunny thing so I was worried he was in pain or something as he was neutered about a month ago and he only started doing it (that I noticed) about a week or so after that. But I don’t see any other signs of pain or discomfort so I’ll assume he’s doing it out of contentment. Thanks again!
- 07/01/2011 at 7:01 AM
  LoveChaCha
  Participant
  6634 posts
  Heeheh lol! My bunny does this all the time! She enjoys loafing and chatters her teeth. She is very content
- 07/01/2011 at 8:41 AM
  Craig H
  Participant
  34 posts
  the cadbury bunny
- 07/01/2011 at 11:58 PM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  Ditto sounds content and happy to me Welcome!
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