Wondering if you can tell if your rabbit is asleep? Many bunny owners may look at their floppy-eared friend and wonder whether she is having a snooze. As their eyes don't always close, it's not always easy to tell at a glance. Rabbits need to get a good rest to stay healthy. Most will get their 8 hours in during the daytime so that they're fully charged and ready to play by the time you get home from work. While some may close their eyes completely when they're feeling safe and comfortable, others may keep their eyes open thanks to their third eyelid. This membrane is clear, allowing them to sleep with their eyes open. They can stay alert, picking up on movement and light even when they're fast asleep.
In the wild, rabbits are more likely to sleep with their eyes open so that they are ready to flee if any threats are perceived. As pets, bunnies are more likely to sleep with their eyes open – especially when they have somewhere safe to snooze. Most bunnies will sleep anywhere they like. In the wild, they head to their burrow to get their beauty sleep. In your home, even if they like to chill out on the rug in front of the fireplace, they are most comfortable sleeping somewhere dark, hidden away, and packed with soft bedding. If they have a burrow-like bedroom, they're more likely to get into a good sleep routine.
How do rabbits sleep, though and how can you tell if yours is taking a snooze? Keep reading to find out how to tell if your rabbit is asleep.
Rabbit's like to rest up all day, so they are ready to play when you come home! How many of us have watched our bunnies zooming around at 10 PM, as we are ready to settle in and drift off? Well, wild rabbits move around mostly at night, and although our domestic house rabbits are different in a lot of ways, they do still tend to follow ancient sleep patterns. Rabbits do get their 8 or so hours, but usually while we are at work.
If you are new to rabbits, their sleeping habits might not only be a little disturbing at night, but the flops can be alarming! A rabbit can flop suddenly over on it's side, then be very still, looking for all the world like your bun has just fallen over from a heart attack. Not the case...once you catch your breath and calm down a bit, you will see that your rabbit is still breathing and you may see some little jerky movements as your friend "dreams". Refresh your "bunny-speak" here.
Sometimes, your rabbit's eyes will be partially or fully open during sleep.
So how can you tell when your rabbit is sleeping? The nose stops wiggling. Yup, they eyes can be open, there can be all kinds of mouth and foot movement, but if that nose isn't wiggling, you can guess your friend is asleep.
Rabbits wake up fast! This makes sense, since they are much preyed upon in the wild. They don't sleep deeply, and any disturbance will have them up and ready to run. So giving your rabbit a nice quiet safe place for sleeping is a big favor.
Sweet dreams to all the rabbits out there!
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