Have a pet rabbit? Then you probably know that they’re not the most obvious communicators. In fact, these happy-hoppers have a way of acting perfectly normal, even when something isn’t — making it surprisingly difficult to tell when your bunny is in pain.

To get clarity on your rabbit’s medical conditions, it’s important to understand their behavior and recognize signs of discomfort, so you can take care of these naturally discreet creatures at the earliest.

If you think your rabbit is in pain, contact your nearest VEG ER for Pets animal hospital. We're open 24/7 to help your bunny's emergency.

Signs your rabbit is in pain

You should be cautious when handling a rabbit in pain, as they may try to nip or jump out of your arms, no matter how high up above the ground they might be. Moving slowly and being careful where you place your hands can make a big impact on your ability to handle a rabbit that may be suffering from a painful condition.

Observing and monitoring your rabbit’s behavior can help you understand what’s normal and what’s not. Below are some signs to look out for.

Watch for these 6 signs of pain in rabbits

1. Grinding teeth can indicate pain in rabbits

Rabbits often grind their teeth when they’re in pain. This is something that can be a little less obvious than other symptoms.

Look for signs like:

• Audible teeth grinding — different from the soft “tooth purring” sound rabbits make when they’re content 

• Appearance of chewing — even when they’re not eating

Tooth grinding may be also linked to anxiety. Only your vet can help you with the correct diagnosis. 

2. Panting can mean your bunny is in pain

If your rabbit’s sides seem to be heaving and they are straining to breathe, they may be in pain. This is more common with severe injury and in instances of something serious like internal bleeding or respiratory disease. 

Look for:

• Open-mouth breathing

• Panting

• Labored respiration 

This medical condition is an emergency for your bun. Seek care at a VEG animal clinic immediately. 

3. Hunched posture is a sign of pain in rabbits

The rabbit posture tells a lot about how your bunny is feeling. The hunched posture in a rabbit may be due to an injury or internal pain from various causes such as abdominal pain.

You may notice:

• Reluctance or unwillingness to move 

• Hiding in a corner 

• Lack of appetite for food or water

These signs along with a hunched posture may be early indicators of illness. 

4. Rabbit has decreased energy? It could be a sign that they're in pain

Animals with ongoing pain problems commonly will be off their food and might not move around much. They may also show disinterest in their surroundings, be very still or quiet, or may have stopped interacting with other rabbits in their habitat or with you. This kind of general malaise is really common in rabbits that are in pain.

Look for:

• Reduced movement or reluctance to hop 

• Disinterest in their surroundings

• Loss of appetite

• Withdrawal from interaction 

5. Lack of grooming can indicate pain in a rabbit

You may have noticed that rabbits clean themselves—a lot. They usually lick their fur and if they can't reach a spot, like their ears, they'll lick their paws and let them do the cleaning.

But if your normally impeccable groomer has been neglecting their usual cleaning routine, it could be an indicator that they're in pain. Look for a dull or unkempt coat due to lack of grooming as an indicator that your bunny is not grooming themselves. Treat this as a potential problem that needs to be seen by your primary care vet.

6. Posture changes can mean your rabbit is in pain

When pain is connected with a more serious problem, it’s evident in the rabbit posture. 

These posture changes may include:

• Pressing the abdomen against the ground 

• Stretching the neck outward 

• Lying in abnormal or tense positions 

• Shifting positions frequently to get comfortable 

Often rabbits in pain also lie on their chest and pant (breathe rapidly). You’ll need to look for abdominal breathing that doesn’t move the chest as well and looks more like panting in these positions. This can be a sign that your rabbit’s in severe pain and may also be dehydrated. Seeking immediate veterinary care is recommended.

Causes of pain in rabbits 

Your bunny can experience pain for many reasons, including:

• Abdominal issues such as liver lobe torsion or a GIT (gastrointestinal tract) blockage

• Dental disease (overgrown teeth, abscesses) 

• Arthritis (common in older rabbits)

• Musculoskeletal injuries 

• Skin infections or parasites 

• Tumors or internal disease 

• Damage to the cornea or eye infections

• Bite wounds from other animals (including other rabbits!)

Many of these conditions can worsen quickly if untreated. 

Why do rabbits hide pain?

Rabbits are prey animals, which means they instinctively hide signs of weakness, including pain or illness. In the wild, this instinct helps protect them from predators, but from a pet-parent’s perspective it can leave you playing detective when it comes to spotting pain in your bunny. 

Knowing how to tell if your rabbit is sick — the causes, signs, and when to seek emergency care at VEG ER for Pets — may help you step in sooner, especially when your little Peter Rabbit is quietly hurting. 

VEG emergency vet clinic is here 24 hours for rabbits in pain

The more attentive you are to the actions of your rabbit, the more likely you will notice when they are in pain. You may need to observe and monitor them for a while if you think that something’s not right. Recognizing the early warning signs of pain in your bunny can help to prevent long-term or avoidable health issues.

It’s hard to be sure why your rabbit’s in pain without the assistance of a vet. Knowing where to take your bunny for care is just as important as knowing when they need help. Not every vet works with small animals like rabbits as it requires a different kind of expertise to care for them. Make sure that you have a small animal or exotic vet in your area who can see your rabbit for routine care and when they are not well. 

At VEG we have the experience and expertise to provide high-quality emergency care to EVERY pet that comes through our doors. We have a large number of locations nationwide that are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including on weekends and holidays. Call or just walk in — we’ll be there every step of the way to get to the bottom of what’s causing the pain and the best possible treatment to get your bunny to feel hoppy again.