Rabbits are energetic animals that display many curious behaviors, from the energetic ‘binky’ to the strange ‘chinning’ they do in order to mark their territory. One behavior that may worry a new rabbit owner is a sudden ‘flop’ onto the side, so why do our rabbits flop onto their sides, and is it anything we should be worried about?
Rabbits usually flop simply when they are feeling tired and want to rest. In most cases, the action is nothing to be concerned about. This behavior also indicates that a rabbit is very relaxed in your company.
This is the short answer and applies to most rabbit flop displays, however, there is more to know about this behavior. Although in 99 out of 100 cases flopping is nothing to worry about, there are occasional exceptions, we’ll cover all of this here.
Reasons Rabbits Flop Onto Their Sides
Rabbits have bundles of energy but (like all of us) every now and then they get tired and need to relax. Providing the pet feels safe in your company and is under no risk of harm from other animals including other house pets it may flop in order to get more comfortable.
Once the rabbit is in a resting position it may rest for a minute or two or even have a long nap (provided there is no disturbance).
Why Do Rabbits Flop Onto Their Backs?
Rabbits feeling extra relaxed may sometimes go even further when flopping. In some instances, flops leave the rabbit on its back with legs in the air.
Again, this is a good sign that a rabbit is feeling chilled or sleepy. As well as being a visually pleasing and entertaining sight for a rabbit owner to see there is also another big positive when a rabbit does this, especially if you are close by.
Anyone who has ever tried to put a rabbit on its back, perhaps when trying to cut the nails will likely feel a degree of pushback from the rabbit. This is due to the fact that with the underside exposed, a rabbit feels especially vulnerable to danger.
When a rabbit is placed on its back it goes into a state of fear, this practice is known as ‘trancing’ and is very stressful for the rabbit. During Trancing, a rabbit stays completely still and is actually playing dead in the hope that it will be left alone by what it sees as a predator.
Trancing is frowned upon amongst experienced rabbit owners as it puts a rabbit under a high level of stress however a rabbit voluntarily putting itself into such a vulnerable position through flopping when you are nearby is actually showing you something very special. It is showing you that it wholeheartedly trusts that you are not a danger. A great achievement indeed!
What Does a Rabbit Flop Look Like?
Very much like the binky, a rabbit flop is often a very spontaneous and therefore unpredictable action. A rabbit flop usually starts with a flick of the head before a very quick twist of the entire body in a rolling motion.
The whole sequence takes just a second and leaves the rabbit anything from lying on its side in a relaxed position to lying with legs straight up in the air, in the clip below, my own rabbit Princess demonstrates.
Do Rabbits Flop When They Are Sick?
Rabbits are prone to several serious medical conditions and while flopping is not usually a symptom of most of these issues, it is possible that a rabbit suffering a very serious sickness may have very little energy and may feel the need to flop down, just as we may crash out on our beds when we aren’t feeling too well.
Although rabbits try to hide symptoms of illness so as not to appear weak in the eyes of a potential predator, there are some things that you can look out for which may help you to determine whether a flopping rabbit is sick or just feels the need to relax.
Signs of Sickness in Rabbits
Cold ears – It can be difficult to tell the temperature of a sick rabbit however, the fur is generally shorter on the ears (and skin is exposed on the inner ear) which means you can get a good idea whether the rabbit has a low body temperature by feeling its ears.
Lethargy – Flopping is usually preceded by a period of energetic behavior such as running or exploring by a happy and healthy rabbit. If a rabbit seems tired, out of breath, or panting for no apparent reason, flopping down unexpectedly may be a sign of a very serious issue.
Loss of appetite – Even a rabbit that is trying to relax will have a tough time ignoring its favorite veggie or treat being waved under its nose. Loss of appetite in rabbits can be a sign of gut stasis, a serious condition that if left untreated can cause death very quickly. That said, rabbits with gut stasis will be more likely to ‘loaf’ (lying in a hunched stance) than to flop.
Do All Rabbits Flop?
Along with binkying, nose blinking, foot thumping, and honking, flopping is all part of normal rabbit body language which means that every rabbit will occasionally perform this instinctive action.
This particular rabbit’s body language is based around health and happiness which means it is a good indication of how well you are doing as a rabbit parent.
If you have yet to see your rabbit flop, it could be that the rabbit doesn’t quite trust you enough yet. Consider working on your relationship with the rabbit, this means spending more time with it, treating it with kindness, and building a bond. You can read more about bonding with a rabbit in our post here .
Things That May Encourage a Flop
Every rabbit is different and unfortunately, there are no guarantees on exactly what behaviors you will see from your own individual pet. While some behaviors happen often, others like the binky and the flop are far less frequent.
However, one thing that I have seen to be a trigger for the rabbit flop is soft textures. (This is by no means definitely going to work for all rabbits though!).
Rabbits love soft textures and comfort and seem to exhibit a couple of different behaviors when they are placed on, let’s say, a soft fleece blanket.
The first thing you may see is digging and scratching. This may be the rabbit investigating the fabric underfoot, alternatively, it could be telling you that it has had enough playtime and wants to go ‘home’ to its hutch (either for a rest or to pee!).
The other thing that you may see the rabbit doing is pushing the fabric with its two front paws. Personally, I’ve seen this when placing my rabbit Princess on a bed. It seems to be his way of fluffing up the bed to make it cozier. When he does this, it’s often followed by a series of flops and a rest!
If you have a house rabbit and you’d like to try this yourself, it’s fine to give your rabbits certain kinds of blankets. You can read more about blankets in our post here.
Wrap Up
Flopping is just another of the many cute ways that rabbits endear themselves to us humans and is generally nothing to worry about. However, always remember to take notice of other body language and actions that may indicate serious problems.
If flopping does seem unnatural, is accompanied by any of the symptoms described above, and is causing you concern, a check-up with a vet is recommended to confirm everything is ok. Remember that it’s better to be safe than sorry where rabbits are concerned.
Further Reading
Understanding your rabbit wabbitwiki.com
Understanding Rabbit Behavior thesprucepets.com
What is my Bunny Saying? Decode Your Bunny’s Behavior kaytee.com
What are common signs of a happy rabbit?
A happy rabbit often has ears that are up and alert, eyes that are bright and relaxed, a nose that is twitching or wiggling, and a body that is relaxed and stretched out. They may also be binkying, which is a happy dance where the rabbit jumps and twists mid-air.
What does it mean when a rabbit thumps its hind legs?
When a rabbit thumps its hind legs, it usually means that they are trying to communicate danger or a warning to other rabbits or animals nearby. It can also indicate that the rabbit is feeling stressed or afraid.
What does it mean when a rabbit licks you?
Rabbits are social animals and use grooming as a way to bond with other rabbits and their humans. If a rabbit licks you, it is a sign of affection and trust. It also means that they see you as part of their social group.
What does it mean when a rabbit grinds its teeth?
Rabbits may grind their teeth when they are experiencing pain, discomfort, or anxiety. However, they also grind their teeth when they are relaxed and content. It’s important to observe other body language cues to determine the rabbit’s emotional state.
Why do rabbits touch noses?
Touching noses is a way for rabbits to greet each other and show affection. It is a sign of trust and bonding between rabbits, and they may also rub their chins together, which leaves their scent behind as a way of marking their territory.
