Trance or just relaxed?

[Bunaroo]

So here’s a question I’ve been wondering I’m quite bonded with my bunny, and he totally knows my actions as I know his. I’ve been holding him against my chest in a hug like position since he was a baby. But I’ve noticed either he’s really enjoying the head pets and falling asleep when I do it (his nose stops wiggly & ears are back) or maybe he’s in a trance like state? I’m not quite sure, nothing in his environment nor I are threatening him and he’s not upside down when this is happening. But he does go limp in my arms and almost fall out! Idk whether to be flattered he trusts me or be upset I’m scaring him ? Thoughts please! I’m including a pic of how he is held

[Deleted User]

I don’t see a picture attached. But I would lean toward scared rather than relaxed. Since they are prey animals, it’s quite stressful for them to be scooped up by big scary hooman. They really should only be picked up for medical reasons. They much prefer to be on the ground

[Wick & Fable]

If you are intentionally or unintentionally happen to have your rabbit on its back, it’s probably tranced, which is very bad. Now rabbits sometimes accidentally trance themselves as they jump and fall about, and it may look “relaxed”, but it’s actually the highest tier of fear: faking death so a predator leaves. It’s a highly stressful and exhaustive state that comes off as relaxed, but isn’t actually.

In other situations, rabbits are quite good at deciding “I’m relaxed so I’m going to partially fall asleep now” and they just are not moving or react to stimuli right away at all. The indicative marker is eye size. Wide eyes is always alertness, while relaxed eyes is relaxation and asleep. When a rabbit is actually asleep, their eyes may get big, but they begin moving and you see the pupil change in size as they go through a dream state. When they’re wide eyed out of fear, it’s a much more deliberate eye motion of huge pupils looking for the source of their fear.

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.

[Bunaroo]

In this state his eyes are not wide they are incredibly dialated and low. Almost looking as if he’s having the best pets ever! I never put him on his back. However I’m still learning about trance behaviors because I want to be well informed in case something happens!

[Deleted User]

Dilated eyes are wide eyes. If they are dilated, he’s scared.

[Author]

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