Rabbits talk mostly with their bodies. A flop onto their side, a hop-twist 'binky', and relaxed half-closed eyes mean a happy, trusting rabbit. A thump, ears pinned back, or a hunched, still posture mean something is wrong.
Why this matters
Rabbits hide weakness because in the wild looking sick invites a predator, so they rarely show pain directly. That is why reading their normal body language matters so much: the first clue that something hurts is often a quiet change in how they sit or move, long before anything obvious. Knowing your rabbit's happy signals makes the worrying ones easier to spot.
What to watch for
- Happy: binky, flop, a relaxed loaf, gentle tooth-purring, a nudge for attention
- Unsettled: thump, ears back with tail up, boxing or lunging (usually fear, not spite)
- Worrying: hunched and pressing the belly down, teeth grinding hard, sitting fluffed and still
- Any clear shift from what is normal for your rabbit
When to see a vet
A hunched posture, loud teeth grinding, or a rabbit sitting fluffed up and withdrawn can be signs of pain. Don't wait to see if it passes, call your exotic vet.
Sources: Rabbit.org Foundation · House Rabbit Society