Teeth grinding

[Cinnamon]

Hello everyone!

My rabbit was moved into my bedroom a few days ago with a large new cage and she is able to free range. (my room is thoroughly bunny-proofed) Recently, she started to grind her teeth. She looks as if she’s chewing on something, but she’s not. I don’t know if I should be worried or not. Is she doing it out of pain? Or is she happy she’s in my room now? I’ve never noticed her doing this until she was brought in to live in the house. Please help! I appreciate it! 

[Bam]

Practically all bunny behavior must be interpreted in context. A bunny can grind its teeth in pain – that gives off a chattering sound and the bunny doesn’t look happy. It may sit all hunched up or be pressing its tummy against the floor (active pressing, not just lying on its belly like they do when they relax). A bunny in pain is often withdrawn and doesn’t come hopping up to you to beg for or take treats from your hand etc.

Happy bunnies also grind their teeth. That’s not a chattering sound but a softer one, more like a purring (it’s sometimes called a tooth-purr). Sometimes you don’t even hear it but you can feel vibrations if you touch the bunny’s head.

If there are no signs of discomfort, if your bunny eats, drinks, poops and socializes like normal, I’d think this is a happy sound.

(If on the other hand she’s drooling while she’s doing it she may have a tooth-issue. There should be no drooling whatsoever and eyes should be clear without disharge.)

[LBJ10]

Leopold will also grind his teeth when he is REALLY frustrated by something. But like Bam said, you have to look at the context. If your bunny is showing any signs of pain or seems to have trouble eating, then you should have a vet take a look. Otherwise, it could just be him expressing himself.

[Cinnamon]

Thank you! I’ve looked at what you said and compared it to my rabbit. She seems to be fine. Right now she’s just munching on her veggies.  I really appreciate the help!

[Sr. Melangell]

My Olly will throw binkies and then tooth purr, if I’m sat on the floor he will look at me, stop and run towards me and climb on my lap then bunny kiss me, run off binky and start again with his teeth, sometimes he will look through his tunnel at me tooth purr, run through and bunny kiss me, but if he comes out of his cage and the neighbour upstairs is belting out music, Olly will tooth purr stamp his foot, throw some binkies, give me a bunny kiss and dive under my duvet until the music goes off.

[Author]

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