What Rabbit Supplies Does Your Bun Need? Learn to Speak Rabbit and Find Out

Rabbits have their own way of communicating. Kinda like us. Through body language and vocalizations, we learn what our little friends are asking for. And they need the rabbit supplies to help. Understanding what your rabbit is trying to communicate will help build a safer home for both of you and help to create a bond… a strong one.

What is Your Rabbit Saying?

Rabbits use body language and noises to communicate. They’re kinda like mini humans. A few things you might see your rabbit do? Check ‘em out:

Happy Rabbit Body Language

• Chinning. This is how buns mark their territory. It’s pretty darn neat. Very animalistic (kind of like when you see your kitty rubbing it’s face against the wall. Or the bed. Or whatever awesome cat thing you have in your house. You know, that cats love).  A rabbit’s chin contains scent glands, so they rub that awesome scent all over their favorite toys (and humans). We love rabbit scent. It could totally be worse.
• Binky. Yep. The binky. Basically it’s like doing the Macarena in 1996. If your rabbit is binkying all over the place, you’re doing something right.
• Standing on Hind Legs . Bunnies are curious. Standing on their hind legs usually means they’re trying to check something out. Or they’re begging for some delicious bunny hay or another treat. Either, or.
• Flat on the Ground with Legs Out (The Brick). This is the look of pure Zen and relaxation. This bun is as happy as can be. Yoga, anyone?
• Upside Down, Legs in the Air. Kinda looks as silly as your bun feels, but is a sign of pure happiness. So keep up the good work.
• Tossing, Jumping, and Racing Around. These are how bunnies play. Some rabbits toss more than other, though. This is a fun way for them to play like their kinda crazy, wild ancestors. Make sure to give them plenty of new toys for enrichment and exercise.
• Tooth Grinding. Most of the time, tooth grinding means you have one happy bun (similar to how cats purr when they’re content). However, extreme tooth grinding can indicate pain. Keep an eye out for this.
• Nose Bump. The nose bump is a demand for attention. Give your bun a good little face massage and they will become your best friend. For real, they will.
• Nose Wiggle. There aren’t many things cuter than a fuzzy little bunny wiggling their nose. But did you know that these nose wiggles actually say a ton? If they’re doing a fast wiggle, something is interesting. No wiggle? They’re hanging out. A fast wiggle with a sudden stop? Something caught their attention and they have to investigate further. Nose wiggles for everyone!

Distressed Rabbit Body Language

• Thump. Rabbits thump their hind legs when they’re mad, frightened, or feel like they’re in danger.
• Teeth Chatter. Chattering is different than tooth grinding and might mean that your bun is in pain. Keep an eye.
• Sniff. Some bunnies might sniff to say hello, but for most rabbits, this behavior means that they are annoyed. I wish I had an action to let people know when I’m annoyed. I’d do it all of the time.
• Grunt. If your bunny grunts… they’re not happy. Sorry about this. Try to understand what’s going on here.
• Honk. Honking is usually the male way of saying he’s ready for some hanky panky. Cue some Marvin Gaye.
• Scream. Bunnies usually don’t make a lot of noise, so if you hear your rabbit scream suddenly, it means something is really wrong. Address right away.

Rabbit Ears Tell Us A Lot

Your rabbit’s ears are much more than velvety, sweet little pieces of goodness (although they are that too). Ears are for communication.

• Forward facing ears mean excitement and happiness or wariness of a situation, depending on the context. This is one alert bun trying to gauge their environment.
• A relaxed bunny’s ears are facing back with the folds out in a comfortable way.
• Rabbit ears that are flat against the head with folds facing down means trouble. This is one unhappy bun, so do whatever you need to do to fix the situation, and stat.

Understanding what our rabbits are trying to say is a lot like trying to understand other animals or babies. Subtle changes in behavior may indicate something’s wrong, so stay in tune with what your bun is trying to say. After time together, you’ll both learn how to effectively communicate. If your rabbit shows any of the above signs of distress or unhappiness, they may be asking for a change in their environment.

Is Your Bun Asking for These Rabbit Supplies?

Now that we know how to better communicate with our bunny friends, you may be wondering… “If my rabbit is showing these behaviors, what can I do to help?”

Bunnies change their minds. They’re basically like mini humans. But prettier. With nicer hair. Something you can do to make them feel comfy all of the time? Provide them with all of the rabbit supplies they need in their little home. Yep: hay, comfy bedding, delicious food and treats, and toys. Don’t forget the toys. Binky heaven? Ticket for one, please.

Hay for Your Bun

The right hay is nutritious and delicious, and that rhymes, which makes it extra cool. Plus, it’s super fun way to enrich your bunny’s home.There are tons of different types of hay, but here are the ones we Love (capital L) best:

• Timothy hay. Packed full of nutrients and will give the fiber and protein they need. 2nd cutting Timothy is our ultimate favorite for a happy bun.
• Alfalfa hay. Alfalfa is a rich, dense hay that’s used for baby rabbits or buns who need to gain a little weight.
• Orchard hay. Orchard hay is a delicious treat hay. Yes, please. Sensitive to Timothy? Try this. It can also be used as a healthy treat when your bunny stands on their hind legs and gives you those irresistible begging eyes. Come on, mom.

Bedding for Your Bun

Soft, comfortable bedding is another rabbit supply you can’t forget! Our favorite beddings are made out of soft paper, pine pellets, or aspen shavings. These beddings can also be used as your bunny’s litter box.

Food for Your Bun

The perfect bunny diet is mostly high-quality hay, fresh veggies and healthy pellets. If you do decide to feed your bunny pelleted food, make sure to get one that is Timothy-hay based and free of any icky stuff like corn, fillers, food coloring… really anything that your bun wouldn’t eat in the wild.

Treats for Your Bun

We all need a few treats here and there to keep things interesting and bunnies are no exception! As long as you’re choosing healthy treats that are good for your bun, there’s no reason why you two can’t bond and enjoy these snacks together. You can feed your rabbit fruits and vegetables in moderation, or even treats made just for buns. Either way, your little guy or girl will likely want seconds (and thirds, and fourths…). But moderation is key.

Toys for Your Bun

Toys are more than just a way to pass the time for your friend. Toys are actually essential rabbit supplies because they provide enrichment, dental care, and a chance for your rabbit to act out their natural instincts. Toys can include sticks, mobiles, jumping platforms, wooden balls. There are tons of options. Make sure that whichever toys you give your rabbit, they are free of dyes, pesticides, glues, metal parts, or anything else that isn’t bunny-friendly.

One of the best things about having a bunny as a companion is that they’re smart, caring, and can speak to you in their own little way. Knowing how your bunny communicates will help you buy the right rabbit supplies to make them happy, and strengthen your bond. Yay for that.