When you’re getting a fur baby…
A thing to consider is the noise.
You wouldn’t want your neighbor complaining, right?
So, you may have decided to get a bunny.
Because you learned that they’re quiet creatures.
Continue reading to discover:
- 9 real reasons why rabbits are so quiet.
- How bunnies communicate without a sound.
- If their silence is something to be worried about.
- And much, much, more…
Why are rabbits so quiet?
Rabbits are so quiet because that’s their nature. For 1, their silence keeps them safe from predators. Instead of their voice, bunnies use actions to communicate. However, their quietness could also mean that they’re stressed and are in pain from illness.
9 reasons why rabbits are so quiet
#1: It’s daytime
Interesting fact: Rabbits aren’t nocturnal. They’re actually crepuscular.
That means, they’re most active at dusk and dawn.
According to research…
Bunnies adjust their activity in their environment.
So, your rabbit may be busier in the wee hours of the morning…
Because their surroundings are more peaceful.
Now, after all the exercise, rabbits become tired. And they’d sleep a lot during the day.
Hence, you’d notice that they’re not making much noise.
Here’s an example of an active bunny at 2:00 AM.
#2: Bunnies don’t speak
Unlike some of our vocal animal companions, rabbits don’t use their voice.
Instead, they communicate through their actions.
And they’re common behaviors are:
- Licking.
- Nipping.
- Binkying.
- Grunting.
- Flopping.
- Chinning.
- Thumping.
- Tail wagging.
- Nose nudging.
- Tooth grinding.
Those actions all have meaning.
So, it’s best if you always observe your bunny. That way, you can understand their behavior better.
Now, rabbits may be quiet…
But, that doesn’t mean that they’re totally noiseless.
In fact, bunnies can also tell you what they’re feeling using sounds.
And you’ll know your rabbit is happy when they:
- Purr.
- Hum.
- Honk.
- Cluck.
Whereas when you hear loud noises like:
- Hiss.
- Growl.
- Scream.
Then, something must be wrong with your rabbit. And you might want to observe them more.
That way, you’ll see what’s causing this behavior.
Read also: 11 Weird Reasons Why Rabbits Scream
#3: Rabbits are listeners
Whatever a bunny lacks in voice…
They make up for it with their ears.
Indeed, rabbits have a strong sense of hearing.
To be precise, they can pick up sounds over very long distances.
They can also follow the source easily.
And that’s how bunnies can easily check for predators.
Moreover, since rabbits rely on their ears…
They have to be quiet so they can concentrate.
Fun fact: As radiators are to cars, bunny ears are to rabbits. They use these to release body heat and cool off.
#4: To be safe from predators
If you’re playing hide-and-seek…
You’re most likely to be quiet while hiding, right?
That’s the same for rabbits who want to stay away from their predators.
Your bunny knows that enemies can easily spot them if they’re noisy.
So to avoid this, they resort to making quiet movements.
You might also like to read: What are rabbit predators and how to keep your bunny safe
#5: They don’t trust you yet
“My Bunbun is 4 months old now and I haven’t heard him make a sound.”
That was a bunny parent’s problem.
Well, this case is pretty common to younger bunnies. And the reason for this is that their bunny doesn’t trust them yet.
As I’ve explained, rabbits keep quiet to be safe. Now, if they’re also not making any noise around you…
It can mean that they don’t feel secure.
Note: Rabbits treat humans as predators, too. That’s particularly true if the bunny isn’t familiar with the person.
And how can you win your rabbit’s trust?
Seattle Animal Shelter suggests the following:
- Let them come to you first.
- Speak softly to get their attention.
- Don’t pick them up before they’re ready.
- Be gentle when moving around your rabbit.
- Softly stroke their cheeks, forehead, and back.
Additionally, you can also try these ways to bond with your bunny.
Then, when you’ve finally built a trusting relationship…
Your rabbit will feel safe and comfortable with you. Plus, they’ll start making happy sounds.
Reading tip: How to tell if your rabbit is happy
#6: The bunny is old
Now, we’re going to talk about the older rabbits.
Did you notice how your fluffy buddy isn’t as active as before?
Well, if your bunny is more than 7 years old…
Then, that means they’re in their senior years.
So they don’t have as much energy as when they were young. That’ll cause them to be more inactive and quiet.
Other signs that your furry friend is getting old are:
- Poor vision.
- Weight loss.
- Graying coat.
- Sleeping more.
- Loss of hearing.
- Slow movements.
- Trouble grooming.
Additionally, studies show that senior rabbits can also suffer from:
- Arthritis.
- Cataract.
- Splay leg.
- Renal failure.
- Heart disease.
- Dental disease.
That said, here’s how to keep them comfortable:
- Remove the ramps in their enclosure.
- Keep everything they need within reach.
- Provide rabbits with extra bedding in winter.
- Don’t place them on smooth and slippery floors.
Bear in mind that elderly bunnies require more care and patience. And also, a lot more love.
#7: It’s their lazy day
Just like most humans…
Bunnies also have their leave-me-alone days.
There will be times when you open their doors and expect them to come out and play…
But they won’t.
Instead, they’ll just look at you and flop over.
It could mean they want to rest and be quiet for a while.
So as long as they’re:
- Eating.
- Drinking.
- Breathing normally.
- In a relaxed position.
Then, they’re okay. And you can let them enjoy their peace.
#8: They’re ill
Well, what if your bunny isn’t really into lazy days?
Let’s say they’re usually active and cheery rabbits…
But one day, they suddenly turned quiet.
It might be helpful to know that rabbits have consistent behavior.
Hence, a sudden change in your bunny’s usual actions may be a sign of a serious condition.
So, when your rabbit turns silent, you must check for other symptoms.
And vets listed the following:
- Drooling.
- Screaming.
- Moving slowly.
- Teeth grinding.
- Tummy troubles.
- Hunched position.
- Mouth or face swelling.
- Wheezing and sneezing.
- Eating or drinking less than usual.
If your bunny is showing 1 or more of those signs…
They must be ill.
“What are the diseases that can make a rabbit suddenly quiet?”
As specialists say, the following are most common:
- Heat stress.
- Pneumonia.
- Myxomatosis.
- Dental disorders.
- Digestive diseases.
Now, if you suspect your rabbit of having 1 of those conditions…
Give your vet a call right away.
#9: They’re stressed
You just came back from the vet’s clinic. And now that you’re home…
Your bunny seems a bit more quiet than usual.
But, your vet said your rabbit is healthy.
So, what just happened?
Your bunny might be stressed.
And this usually happens when they’re brought to unfamiliar or scary places.
Well, for a rabbit, a vet’s clinic must be really terrifying.
Aside from being quiet, other signs of stress may include:
- Hiding.
- Lethargy.
- Bulging eyes.
- Aggressiveness.
- A crouched position.
When you confirm that your bunny is bothered…
There are lots of ways you can help reduce their stress.
But, the best thing to do is find out what’s causing the problem.
Some things that can make your rabbit stressed are:
- Pain.
- Boredom.
- Lack of space.
- Lack of activity.
- Sudden noises and movements.
- Unfamiliar people or surroundings.
So if you work on these causes…
You can avoid making your bunny upset.
Should I be worried when my rabbit is quiet?
You shouldn’t be worried right away when your rabbit is quiet. Bunnies are generally silent creatures. And being a prey animal is a factor in that. However, silence can be a sign of pain or illness, too.