Rabbits are known for using their actions to communicate.
And sometimes, their movements make a sound.
So when you’re stroking your fluffy buddy…
You may have heard or felt something.
“Was that a purr?”
Continue reading to find out:
- 3 lovely reasons behind a rabbit’s purr.
- How your bunny makes this soothing sound.
- Extremely happy rabbits caught purring on video.
- And a lot more…
Do rabbits purr?
Rabbits make a purring sound like that of a cat. However, this one comes from the vibration of the bunny’s teeth. Also, the purr should be soft and soothing, not loud.
Rabbit purring: 2 video examples
Are you unsure if you heard a purr?
Well, to help you out…
Let me show you 2 cute and happy rabbits. Their fur parents caught them on cam purring.
In the first video, you’ll see a very satisfied bunny named Quincy.
Surely you’ve heard his soothing purr…
And it’s so nice to watch Quincy with his continuous chatter.
This showed how much he loved his bunny parent’s touch.
He even looks like he’s about to fall asleep. That’s how comfortable he is.
Alright, that’s it for Quincy for now…
Next, we have the purring rabbit, Coco.
There, you can very clearly hear Coco’s purr.
Plus, she’s also doing some honking.
Now, new bunny parents might’ve been a bit worried about that loud sound.
But you’ve seen in the video how relaxed Coco’s body was.
So that means it’s a happy honk.
And other sounds of a joyful rabbit are:
- Purring.
- Clucking.
- Humming.
What does it mean when a rabbit purrs?
When a rabbit purrs…
They are trying to tell you 3 things.
#1: Contentment
“Ahhh…I’m a happy bunny.”
That’s what your rabbit probably means when they purr.
And PetMD explains that a bunny purrs when satisfied with life.
This means all their needs have been met.
And what does a rabbit require?
- Exercise.
- Playtime.
- Neutering.
- Well-balanced diet.
- Clean and safe home.
So if you provide those things…
Then you’re sure to have a contented bunny.
Continue reading: 19 Signs That You Have The Happiest Rabbit In The World
#2: Security
Here’s another reason why your rabbit purrs.
And that is, they feel safe and secure.
Now, bunnies are naturally scared of:
- Noise.
- Strangers.
- Predators.
- New objects.
- Unfamiliar smell.
- Sudden movements.
And they fear those because they’re prey animals. So bunnies are made to always be on the lookout for danger.
As a result, rabbits find it hard to feel at ease.
But if you’ve established a good relationship with your bunny…
Then they’re sure to trust you.
Therefore, your fluffy buddy won’t be afraid of your touch. Instead, when you cuddle them…
They’ll certainly purr.
Reading tip: 13 Things Rabbits Do When They Are Scared
#3: Relaxation
I’ve mentioned that it’s hard for a rabbit to relax…
But it’s not impossible.
So, did you know that you can actually calm your bunny down?
1 way is to give them a gentle massage.
And if they purr…
Then you’ll know your soothing touch is working.
Moreover, vets say that a bunny at ease will also:
- Stretch out their legs.
- Partially close their eyes.
- Lie down on their stomach or side.
- Lay their ears lazily along their back.
On the other hand, studies show that an upset rabbit will:
- Hide.
- Not eat.
- Be lethargic.
- Breathe heavily.
- Show aggression.
- Have bulging eyes.
- Lie in a stiff, hunched position.
- Overgroom or not groom at all.
You’d want your rabbit to be stress-free, right? So what can you do?
First, identify what the problem is.
Vets say it can be one of the following:
- Illness.
- Loneliness.
- Poor environment.
- Improper handling.
Once you know why your bunny’s stressed…
You can work on solving that issue.
Then, try the different ways to reduce stress in your rabbit.
With this, you can ensure that your furry friend is relaxed and comfortable.
Why does my rabbit sound like they’re purring?
Your rabbit sounds like they’re purring…
Because of the quick and light chattering motions of their teeth.
And that movement results in vibration that makes the sound.
Usually, this action is done in waves.
That’s, purr…purr…purr…pause… purr… and so on.
What’s more is, the vibrating sound is really soft…
That you’ll only hear it if your rabbit’s on your lap.
Do rabbits vibrate when they purr?
Rabbits vibrate when they purr.
This vibration is mostly done in their jaws.
However, your bunny’s whole body can also shake.
And some bunny parents have reported that their fluffy buddies even shiver and purr.
Plus, bunnies might also add a little nose twitching
And that happens when the rabbit wants to express their joy.
But bear in mind that the vibrating and purring should be gentle.
If you’ve noticed that your bunny’s teeth chattering is loud…
Then it’s not a purr anymore.
It’s what specialists call teeth grinding.
And if you feel your rabbit’s tremble is strong…
There might be something wrong.
According to vets, teeth grinding and shaking may be accompanied by other symptoms:
- Drooling.
- Diarrhea.
- Lethargy.
- Sneezing.
- Coughing.
- Wheezing.
- Constipation.
- Vocalizations.
- Bloated stomach.
- Change in appetite.
- Change in behavior.
- Stiff and hunched position.
- Swelling on the mouth or face.
Now, what could be the cause of a rabbit’s teeth grinding? It could be:
- Injury.
- Joint pain.
- Dental pain.
- Pain after surgery.
- Gastrointestinal problems.
- Ptyalism (excessive salivating).
Warning: If your bunny is teeth grinding and shivering, they’re in extreme pain. So it’s best to call the vet right away.