Thumping – Testing it out? Or upset?

[bel-imperia]

The other day I was sitting on my bed my rabbit happily bouncing and bounding around my room. All of a sudden, I realise he is no longer in my eye sight. I keep reading, figuring Fenton (my bun) is having a lay down under the bed (which he normally does) he’s been living soley in my room of the past 3 weeks, I keep the window open during the day (I live on a double storey house and the window opens over our indoor courtyard and not onto the street) so he’s very used to the noises and daily sounds that go about (he was previously an “outdoor rabbit” when owned by another lady). 

All of a sudden I hear this banging, It’s Fenton under my bed, every 2 seconds banging his left foot on the ground. I instantly recognise this as “thumping” and look at his posture. He’s sitting, looking like the little fluff ball he is. 

I got very confused and wondered what was worrying him as I know it can be a way for him to communicate, I check outside my bedroom door to make sure my dog or cat are near by, I even listen. I do however, hear a small beeping from the washing machine down stairs and wonder if thats what is making him upset.

Unsure, I crouch down and call for him, he sits still for a moment, and then stops thumping and slowly makes his way from out under the bed. I give him a little pet and cuddle to calm his nerves and he goes right back to binkying.

Later that night, my dad is lying on the floor of my room trying to “greet” Fenton. He’s very sweet trying to get Fenton to like him (as my rabbit seems to only enjoy bounding all over me). When all of a sudden a loud THUD!

He did a little thump and I though it might have been my dad so I ask him to leave.

I understand it could just be Fenton still going through adolescence and testing out his thumping abilities. I was just wondering because I’ve had him for almost a month now and this is the first time he has done it. And twice in one day!

[Sarita]

It’s sometimes difficult to know really. I have a rabbit that thumps sometimes for no reason I can comprehend either.

[Isabelle]

Dutchess will make thumps sometimes right before she does her little shaky head dance and run off for a binky 500. I think sometimes thumps aren’t meant in fear, if your’s buns eyes are wide and they look crouched down about to run with ears straight up, that could signal they are afraid. Sometimes if they are in a different position or see something at a different angle for a few seconds it might startle them, when I change furniture around sometimes Dutchess spots something different and she’ll give a thump or three until she sees its nothing to worry about. I doubt your dad caused your bun any unhappiness, it shouldn’t be anything to worry about

[mia]

My buns thump for all kinds of reasons, and yes, sometimes even for reasons I don’t understand, but I do think there are root causes and you just have to figure them out. Reasons include not getting treats when “expected,” not getting pets at desired times, sensing the impending doom of being picked up, start and ends and turns during bunny 500s, and warning to other bun. None really to be worried about. Anything that I need to worry about is when they are fearful and they hide when that happens, not thumping.

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