Did you know that if you listen carefully to the sounds your rabbit makes and watch the type of behaviour your rabbit is displaying, you can actually get some idea of what your rabbit is trying to tell you.

If you hear a soft grinding of his teeth your rabbit is trying to you that he is happy and he will often do this when you are petting him on his forehead or behind his ears. He may also make a soft cooing noise which is another sound he makes when he is happy and content.

A loud thumping of your rabbit’s back feet could suggest several things – he could be frightened, he could be hoping to get some attention from your or he could feel angry. Some rabbits also do this when they are feeling really happy. You will just have to read what you think his mood is.

If you hear your rabbit hissing or growling, this is a sign that your rabbit is feeling threatened or concerned. If you hear your rabbit growling or hissing, it is likely that he is preparing to attack by scratching or biting. If this is the case, it is advisable to leave him alone until he calms down. Some rabbits do this if you approach them from behind when trying to get them out of their rabbit hutch.  Rabbits prefer to be approached from the front so that they can see you coming.

A loud squealing noise usually means that your rabbit is in extreme pain or is very frightened. Never ignore this noise as rabbits have been known to die of a heart attack when they are extremely frightened. Check your rabbit hutch for sharp edges.

A honking noise like a goose means that your rabbit is feeling annoyed or wants attention. If your rabbit is not neutered he may make this when being amorous towards you or a soft toy.

If your rabbit makes a light nudging with his nose, this is his way of greeting you and asking for attention.

Rabbits also leave their scent (you will not be able to smell it) by rubbing their chin on anything they want to mark as their territory. This includes you!

Some rabbits also lick your hands and face while they are being petted and this also may be a sign that you are very special to your pet. If your rabbit moves his jaw as if he is chewing it means that he is content and relaxed

If he eats his own droppings there is no need for you to be concerned as it is a natural behaviour and should not be discouraged. Rabbits need to digest some foods twice and they take these droppings directly from their bottoms. He might make a low pitched squeak when he does this, pushing out his bottom and tail and this means he is about to urinate.

If your rabbit jumps and twists around in the air while playing around in his rabbit run, this means he is overjoyed and thoroughly enjoying life. If he runs around your feet it means he is excited to see you but if not neutered this may also mean that your rabbit thinks you are an acceptable mate. However, if your rabbit nips at your ankles for attention, you should train him to stop by walking away whenever he does this and reward more polite behaviour by petting him, talking to him or giving him treats.

If your rabbit tugs on your clothes, he is asking for attention, he might also try to climb up your leg, or hop onto your lap, but if he lunges at you then he is telling you that he doesn’t want you around. If your rabbit hops a few steps away from you and turns his back to you but isn’t occupied with anything else and every so often turns his head to see if you are still watching it then it suggests that he is offended at something you’ve done. You can apologize to him by giving him a treat or petting him.

Rabbits love to have their faces petted and their cheeks rubbed. If your rabbit gives you any signs of fright, annoyance or attention-seeking behaviour then do this and you’ll probably be rewarded with the joyful sign of soft-tooth-grinding.

If your male or female rabbit appears to mate with your foot you can be assured that he or she is trying to gain dominance over you. In return, you should remove the rabbit and push his or her head to the ground, holding it there for 5 seconds or so. Never press too hard when doing this as a rabbit’s bones are very fragile and they can get hurt very easily.

If you have two different sex rabbits and the male starts grunting it is adviseable to move him away immediately unless you are attempting to breed them as a grunting male is a sure sign that he is attempting to mate or breed with the female.

A loud tooth grinding sound, which is very different from the gentle tooth purr of happiness described above, is indicitave of a rabbit in pain so if you hear this sound, check your rabbit for signs of obvious external injury and contact your vet immediately. Your rabbit could have a life threatening injury or internal issue that needs to be addressed immediately.

If two same-gender rabbits start circling each other it signals a fight but if two opposite-gender rabbits circle each other it probably means they are about to mate. If you don’t want baby bunnies, move one of them.

If your unneutered female rabbit begins pulling out the fur on her stomach and gets stressed if you try to pick her up, she is either pregnant or having what is called a “false pregnancy. It is adviseable to leave her alone and pet her gently as she will eventually stop this behaviour.  She may start again at any given time so the best solution is to have her spayed.

If one rabbit appears to be mating with another’s head, this is a territorial display which could lead to a fight. Both male and female rabbits have been known to exhibit this type of behaviour.

As you get to know your rabbit more and get to recognise his little quirks, the bond between you will grow stronger and you will soon learn how to spot when anything is wrong or if he needs more of your attention.