Have you seen your cute bunny suddenly open his mouth wide, showing the ugliest face ever? Don’t worry. That’s just a rabbit yawning.
Your pet rabbit can look scary or even hilarious when yawning. Not that we can judge. When humans yawn, we look terrifying or silly too! But newer rabbit owners might get a fright if they are unaware of this behavior.
Your rabbit is not trying to scare you away or look aggressive, but they can’t help pulling a face when they yawn. It’s a natural thing to do.
Here are six reasons why you may find your rabbit yawning:
Your Rabbit May Be Tired
A rabbit might be merely yawning because they are tired, just like humans would. Rabbits are social animals. If you have multiple rabbits, you may find they yawn at the end of the day. After the exciting day with their companions, they just want to retire to their hutch and rest in their comfy home.
Or perhaps your rabbit is not particularly that tired and is simply yawning because they are lazy and feel like lying around, doing nothing. Sounds familiar?
Your Rabbit May Be Bored
Maybe they feel like having some company, or they just ran around enough for one day and didn’t know what to do with themselves for the rest of the day. Rabbits can feel bored too.
Temperature Regulation
When yawning, it helps to keep their temperature stable and can cool their brain’s temperature-as weird as it may sound. When rabbits yawn, they might feel too hot and try to cool down.
Signaling Other Bunnies
Yawning can also be a way to signal to a group of bunnies that it’s time to sleep. The group will realize and coordinate their sleeping patterns together.
Increase Alertness
A yawning action can also be in opposition to feelings of tiredness. It can make the rabbit more alert and ready to react to danger. After they have yawned, it can help them to feel more awake as they inhale more oxygen.
Mood Changes
Rabbit yawning can occur when their mood, emotions, and appetite change. Maybe they are becoming sleepy, feeling a bit hungry, or are lonely. Whatever it is, yawning can be a way to show that.
Take a look of this cute 30 second video of rabbits yawning!
Why is My Rabbit Shaking and Yawning?
Rabbits are prey animals and live in constant threat of danger. This is why it is important to keep its environment as safe as possible. It is hard to give a definite answer as to why a rabbit is shaking. The most likely explanation is that your rabbit feels threatened and is signaling you with this behavior to make you aware of the urgent situation.
A rabbit can also shake because it is cold. The shaking is a way to warm itself. It is also possible that the rabbit is just a little nervous. Show your bunny some love with plenty of their favorite toys and affection, and place them in their familiar safe environment, such as inside their hutch. They should soon calm down.
If your rabbit is eating, drinking, urinating, and eliminating normally, then there is probably nothing to worry about. However, if your rabbit is showing other signs of illness, such as lethargy or loss of appetite, then a trip to the vet may be in order.
When you are at the vet, it is a good idea to ask the doctor to check out your rabbit’s teeth and mouth. This is a common place for infections to start in rabbits, and if there is an infection, getting antibiotics early can really help your rabbit recover.
Should I Be Concerned if my Bunny Yawns?
Rabbit yawning is still a phenomenon that hasn’t been researched enough in animals like bunnies, and there are many theories as to why they yawn. However, one thing is certain. This behavior does not usually indicate that your bunny has any diseases or problems. Bunnies yawning is a natural action and is nothing to be alarmed about.
Even though they look aggressive when yawning, they are not trying to be. When a rabbit yawns, it doesn’t mean they are angry or trying to scare you away. It is generally not an indication of any illness.
There is no need to worry when your rabbit is yawning, it is normal, and they are still fluffy, friendly little creatures.
Why is My Rabbit Yawning and Stretching?
When bunnies yawn, they place their legs forward and lift their head, opening their mouth wide. When rabbits yawn, you often see them straighten their legs out in front of them. This gymnastic move is a way to stretch themselves out. But why do they do this?
When rabbits stretch out or lie down in a stretched way, they feel like there is no lurking threats. They feel content, at ease, and comfortable enough to lie down and relax.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rabbit Behavior
How do I know when my bunny is happy?
Typically, rabbits are happy when hopping, running, playing, and jumping around. When they lay down all stretched out, they are at ease. When you show affection to your rabbit, and they respond by closing their eyes, this is a good sign they are happy and content.
How do I know when my bunny is angry?
When bunnies feel like they need to fight, their ears often perk up in alert. Your rabbit will try to look intimidating by lifting its front paws and making itself look more “fearsome.” Baring teeth, growling, intimidating noises, or the thumping of their hindlegs can be displayed behaviors by your rabbit. These reactions help a rabbit appear like a formidable foe to enemies.
How do I know when my bunny is scared or anxious?
When bunnies are nervous or anxious, they tend to hide or make themselves as small as possible. They will crouch down with flattened ears against their back. They also freeze and stand very still, in hope that they are not noticed by any predators. This action shows that they are uncomfortable and worried. When your rabbit sniffs and makes noises, this could indicate they feel threatened and scared.
How do I know when my bunny is sad?
It’s possible for bunnies to become depressed because of loneliness, constant stressful circumstances, sickness, or not being provided with adequate care. Bunnies who are depressed will lose interest in the activities they usually find fun. They could lose their appetite, become more aggressive, show no interest in being social, pull out their fur and stop grooming themselves. Your rabbit may not necessarily display all of these symptoms but, if you have any concerns that your rabbit might be unwell or suffering stress, monitor them closely. If you notice your bunny has one or two of these symptoms, then seek advice from your vet.
Final Thoughts
Rabbit behavior is fascinating, and if you do not know anything about it, it can make you worried and anxious. Therefore, it’s best to research different bunny behaviors to see when you should be concerned.
If you see your rabbit yawning, it’s generally not something to worry over. It’s simply a part of their behavior, just like it’s a part of our own lives.
Knowing the standard behavior patterns of your bunny is essential. It’s always good to be perceptive and identify what your bunny might be feeling or why they may be reacting in a certain way to a particular situation.
Nevertheless, if your rabbit ever displays unusual behavior, this might indicate he is unwell or stressed and requires veterinarian attention.
The more you know about rabbit behavior, the more at ease you will be when rabbits behave in a certain way. Furthermore, understanding behaviors will help you notice diseases your bunny might have, or you’ll be more aware that your rabbit could be ill.
But when your rabbit yawns, don’t become overly anxious but enjoy the hilarious face they make!