| In short : As a prey animal, the rabbit has a survival instinct that causes it to hide its weaknesses and pain so as not to attract predators. Unlike a dog or cat, a suffering rabbit will not moan or complain audibly. To detect his suffering, you have to watch for subtle changes in behavior: – The folding posture: A prostrate rabbit, curled up as a “chicken”, eyes half-closed and ears clad back often expresses severe discomfort. – Teeth grinding: A light banging of teeth during caresses reflects well-being, but a strong, jerky and audible squeak at a distance is a sign of acute pain. – Stopping the transit (vital emergency): A rabbit that stops feeding or whose droppings decrease in size and number is in an absolute medical emergency. – The rabbit grimace scale: Precise facial modifications (pinned nose, drooping or frozen mustaches, tight eyelids) make it possible to scientifically devalue its level of pain. |
Because they hide their game until the last moment, rabbits are often referred to as “difficult to read” animals. Too often, an owner notices that his rabbit is sick when the pathology is already at a very advanced stage.
Learning to decode the body language and micro-expressions of your lagomorph is crucial. Early pain management greatly increases the chances of recovery and prevents the triggering of transit stopping, a frequently fatal complication in this species. Here is the guide to locate the alarm signals.
1. Posture and behavior changes
The first indications of pain in rabbits result in a change in their daily habits.
prostration and isolation
A suffering rabbit tends to sit in a corner of his enclosure, under a piece of furniture or in his cabin. He refuses to go out and no longer shows interest in his environment or his toys.
- The position in “hen”: The rabbit curls up, his back very vaulted, his legs firmly folded under the body. Contrary to a relaxed resting position (where the saffal rabbit or stretches), its muscles are visibly tense here.
The “painful” teeth grinding
There are two types of tooth noise in rabbits:
- Dental purr: Light, soft, it accompanies the sessions of caresses. The rabbit is relaxed, his eyes are sometimes closed.
- The squeaking of pain: loud, dry, reminiscent of the sound of two pebbles that Lon rubs against the other. It occurs spontaneously, without stress, and is heard several meters away.
Lowering or stopping the power supply
The rabbit’s digestive system should turn continuously. A rabbit that shuns food (especially his hay or his favorite treats) is not “capricious”: he has pain.
- The alarm signal: Smaller, dry, dung-connected droppings, or a total absence of stool for more than 6 hours is a absolute veterinary emergency.
2. The scale of facial expressions (Rabbit Grimace Scale)
Used by veterinarians, this scientific scale lists 5 facial criteria for measuring the intensity of pain in rabbits.
1. Eye Creepy
- Healthy rabbit: The eyes are round, wide open and shiny.
- Rabbit in pain: The eyelids are half-opened, half-closed, giving a “tired” or fleeting look. The eyes may appear sunken into the sockets.
2. cheek tension
- Healthy rabbit: The profile of the face is rounded and flexible.
- Rabbit in pain: The muscles of the cheeks contract, making the facial features more angular and tense, especially around the jaw.
3. The position of the mustaches (vibrisses)
- Healthy rabbit: The mustaches are soft, curved and point to the sides.
- Rabbit in pain: The vibrisses become stiff, straight, regroup or point downwards or backwards, stuck against the cheeks.
4. The shape of the nose
- Healthy rabbit: The nostrils form a soft and well-designed “Y”.
- Rabbit in pain: The nose contracts, the nostrils pinch and the “Y” shape turns into a very tight closed “V”.
5. The position of the ears
- Healthy rabbit: The ears are movable, erect or released in a natural way (depending on the race).
- Rabbit in pain: The ears are folded firmly towards the back, pressed against the back, rigidly.
Summary table: Recognizing the level of pain
| Observed area | normal behavior | sign of moderate pain | Sign of severe pain |
| Posture | Stretched, lying on the side, or sitting relaxed. | Sitting, back slightly arched, less active. | Curled into a ball, tense muscles, refuses to move. |
| Appetite | Eat hay regularly, asks for its food. | Sorts his food, eats more slowly. | Total refusal to eat and drink. |
| noises | Small banging of teeth at the time of caresses. | mutism, breathing slightly faster. | Strong and continuous teeth grinding, shrill moan (rare, absolute distress). |
| Face | Round eyes, soft whiskers, “Y” nose. | Half-closed eyes, drooping mustaches. | Eyes closed, nose pinched in “V”, tense face. |
What to do if you suspect pain?
The physiology of the rabbit is extremely fragile. The pain causes intense stress which instantly stops the motility of his stomach.
- Never practice self-medication: Never give anti-inflammatory drugs or painkillers for humans (such as paracetamol or libuprofen), they are highly toxic and fatal to rabbits.
- Take the temperature (if you are trained): A normal temperature is between 38.5°C and 39.5°C. A rabbit in hypothermia (below 38°C) is in shock.
- Contact a specialized veterinarian: Turn to an expert veterinarian in NAC (New pets). Only a professional will know how to correctly dose the appropriate molecules (such as meloxicam) to relieve your animal.
FAQ: Your Frequently Asked Questions
Can a rabbit shout if it hurts very much?
The rabbit’s cry (a shrill, shrill whistling or scream) is a frightened or paroxysmal pain signal. It only pushes it in case of extreme terror or unbearable suffering (for example, when attacking a predator or a sudden fracture). On a daily basis, chronic pain (osteoarthritis, dental problem, stomach ache) will never cause cries.
My rabbit is stamping his foot, is this a sign of pain?
Typically, hitting the hindquarter rabbit on the ground is a denercing, frustration or alert sign to prevent danger. However, if your rabbit slaps his foot repetitively then that he is alone, calm in his enclosure, this can reflect an annoyance linked to a dull, often colic or urinary pain.
What are the signs of a dental problem?
The rabbit’s teeth grow continuously. If they are misaligned (malocclusion), they create tips that hurt the tongue or cheeks. The associated clinical signs are: a sorting of foods (the rabbit wants to eat but spits out), saliva that wets the chin (drooling), eyes that cry chronically and weight loss.