What does it mean when a rabbit thumps it’s back paws?

[mschoonover11]

Hello. Just wanted to say that Toby has been getting better. I finally found a brand of good quality hay that he devoured 

Anyhow, the other day I had to carry him to take him upstairs and he jerked a lot while he was in my arms. When I put him on the floor, he started running and as he was doing so, he started thumping his back paws. He’s done this a lot and I don’t know if it means he’s either mad or excited. I’m guessing it means stress or anger. 

Also, when I was carrying him, he was jerking so much that his anus rubbed against my hand. (Ok, I know that this sounds completely gross and disturbing and it honestly was.) But the weird thing was that my hand had brown stuff on it after his anus rubbed on it. What is that? Is it poop? Rabbit poop isn’t liquidy. And I 100% know that it wasn’t cecotropes. It was light brown.  It also didn’t smell bad at all.

Like I mentioned earlier, once I put him on the floor (after carrying him) he thumped and ran into a corner and he sat there for a solid 3 minuets I’d say. It kinda looked like he was rubbing his butt but I’m not sure. 

Do you guys know what that gross stuff was? Also, please let me know about the thumping. Thanks

[Gordo and Janice]

Thumping…scared or angry and/or possibly a general warning to other bunny buddies. Definitely means “not okay with the situation, at all”.

As far as the brown stuff? It came from his anus and most things from there are brown. Why it was liquid like? Don’t know. He was obviously stressed and exerting himself. Hopefully someone can give you a more accurate diagnosis of the non cecotrope smelling brown liquid. At first I would have thought “cecotrope juices” or “cecotrope liquids” for lack of better terms but you said it didn’t smell as such so I am at a loss.

[Deleted User]

Bunnies thump out of danger and sometimes out of anger. Now that he’s older, picking him up for transport isn’t going to be the best idea, as he’ll dislike being picked up more. Transport via a litter box or his carrier. It’ll make it less stressful on him and prevent any injuries he may get from kicking too hard.

[JetFalcon]

My bunny thumps if I’m chasing her around the house. Especially when it’s in my bedroom and goes under my bed, which forces me to use a long stick / broom to force her out.

[kurottabun]

Generally rabbits thump in the wild to alert other rabbits of danger. I agree with A&B in saying that he is starting to dislike the picking up since he is getting older, which is quite common for all bunnies. The jerking, kicking, sitting without moving after you put him down for a few minutes…all of these indicate that he was scared and doesn’t want to be held.

[LBJ10]

In this context, he is likely thumping to show his displeasure. Similar to foot flicking.

[mschoonover11]

Thanks for the replies on the thumping. I’ll start transporting him in his carrier now.

Can someone please tell me about that brown stuff? It didn’t worry me too much but I would still like to know what it was…

[Wick & Fable]

Cecotrope juice maybe. Or just a piece of cecotrope that was stuck on (didnt eat it cleanly from the hole) and you happened to hit it.

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.

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Could it be scent gland fluid? Rabbits have two scent glands next to their anus.

[mschoonover11]

hmm, maybe it could be cecotropes. but I kinda doubt it cause it didn’t smell at all. maybe it could be a scent gland fluid. what color are scent gland fluids usually? this color was kind of like a lightish brown.

[Author]

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