Home Companion Animals Rabbits What does it mean when rabbits thump their foot? Rabbits stand on all four feet, sometimes in a tip-toe position, with their ears alert, then lift their rear feet and thump to warn other rabbits in the warren that there is danger. Some rabbits will thump one foot on the ground, some will thump both hind feet at the same time. They may remain in the thumping posture until convinced that the danger is gone.
The length of time between thumps can vary from a few seconds to a couple of minutes and may last an extended period of time even an hour or more.
Leaving them to grow stressed, though, is detrimental to their health. Of course, the rabbit may also be frightened. If they are in their hutch, they may feel vulnerable to predators and thump.
This behavior is more common at night. The most likely explanation for a rabbit thumping their feet at night is fear. They are afraid of what invisible threats may be lurking in the darkness. If your rabbit lives outdoors, they will smell and hear nocturnal predators. This can understandably make them skittish. Show compassion and understanding in this situation. They may even kick their hutch.
Ensure that your bunny has plenty of physical exercise during their waking hours. This will tire them out by nightfall. If the rabbit continues stomping and kicking, consider adding a second bunny to the hutch. Rabbits are social, and grow frustrated and lonely when they spend too much time alone.
Just ensure the two animals bond before they share a home. Two rabbits still need entertaining, though. If they combine their efforts, they may kick open the door to their hutch. Domesticated rabbits that escape from a backyard do not last long in the wild. Pain is not the first thing that we associate with foot stomping in rabbits.
It is a possible explanation, though. It becomes more likely if the bunny stomps constantly and continually. The House Rabbit Society lists these by state. Many vets are unfamiliar with rabbit health. This could lead to them dismissing your concerns. After all, stomping is just something that rabbits do. Rabbits stomp their feet for a variety of reasons, but there always is a reason. Learning what triggers the behavior is an integral part of keeping rabbits as pets. The happier your bunny is, the less likely they are to stamp their feet.
If your bunny does start stomping, react quickly. Your pet could hurt themselves in their attempt at gaining your attention. Your email address will not be published.
Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Contents hide. My Rabbit Thumps for No Reason. Do Rabbits Thump for Attention? My Rabbit is Stomping at Night. Do Rabbits Thump When in Pain? Related Articles:. Binkying Explained. Why is My Rabbit Chinning Everything? Why Do Rabbits Scream? Bunny Flopping Meaning. Why Do Rabbits Have a Dewlap? Leave a Comment Cancel Your email address will not be published.
Search This Site:. It seemed like it was always associated with our dog that was barking outside. It was like our rabbit was trying to tell us the dog was barking. I would check on the rabbit, and his ears would be pointed forward. Then, he would start thumping again. They are thumping because they are trying to communicate something. There are two large reasons a rabbit is thumping.
If you have heard a rabbit thump, this can be a jarring noise. There was one time our rabbit thumped so hard that a book on top of its cage fell on the ground! I never knew a rabbit could make so much noise. If the rabbit kept thumping, he quickly had the attention of the entire house! If you have a rabbit, you need to know a few key points about thumping! Rabbits, and their behavior, are a product of evolution. This includes thumping, which is important for survival.
While these behaviors might not be as important in a domestic environment, it is important in the wild. Rabbits tend to live in families, and they use thumps to communicate with each other. Carefresh Small Pet Bedding here on Amazon!
When rabbits live underground, the sound of a thumping foot travels a lot farther than the meow of a cat or other audible noises. Instead, rabbits communicate with a thumping foot. This is why the thump is so loud.
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