If you have had a pet rabbit for some time, you will likely have developed an incredibly strong bond with it. These are highly sociable animals and when they are well cared for will be very loyal to their owners. For this reason, it can be extremely disturbing as a pet parent to see a rabbit shaking, and the first thing you will want to know is whether there is something wrong. So why do rabbits shake?
The most common reason for rabbits shaking is fear. This may be the result of a predator, or being in unfamiliar surroundings. Rabbits can also shake when they are sick, experiencing shock, or suffering from mites.
We are almost certain that you will not want your bunny to be in any distress, and fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to stop the shaking and have your pet feeling 100% once again. We’ll go over these below.
Why Is My Rabbit Shaking?
Rabbits use a wide range of body language to communicate both in the wild and in domestic settings. Outside of body language rabbits also give off clues to how they are feeling with shaking being one such clue.
These clues are natural and are part of every rabbit’s DNA which means that for rabbit owners, being aware of them can help us not only understand our pets needs a little better but also help us quickly know when something may be wrong (even possibly allowing us to save our pets life).
Shaking or trembling is often seen in rabbits, and is usually a clear sign that something isn’t quite right. While in some rare cases, shaking may be attributed to a simple case of hiccups (a harmless condition that will pass quickly) for the most part shaking should be taken very seriously.
Is It Normal For My Rabbit To Shake?
There are a number of common reasons why you might see your rabbit shaking. These are fear, suffering from an illness (including heatstroke), or shock from an injury. Although rabbits may shake often, shaking is not considered ‘normal’ for rabbits and is an indication of some sort of discomfort rather than anything positive.
As you would expect with any prey animal, being scared is not unusual, especially for wild rabbits who may face several threats to their lives on a daily basis. The ingrained nervousness of rabbits means that fear is the most likely reason for shaking, even for those kept as domestic pets so it’s worthwhile to rule fear that out before considering anything else.
When it comes to being scared, in addition to shaking, you might look for other signs such as the rabbit sitting upright and alert, and also as fast nose blinking as the rabbit takes in more air over its lungs.
If you believe fear is a likely possibility, check the surrounding area to determine if there may have been something that may have spooked the pet. This could be anything from the sound of a firework to the sight of a perceived predator through a window.
If the rabbit is unfamiliar with either you or its surroundings, it might also just be that it needs a little time to settle in. You can calm the rabbit’s nerves by offering some comfort, and if possible, take preventative steps if possible to avoid a reoccurrence.
Another reason that your rabbit may be shaking could be because of extreme heat. Rabbits are usually fairly tolerant of cold temperatures and their bodies adapt over time through the development of a thicker coat. However, high temperatures are a lot more problematic and heatstroke is common.
When a rabbit is overheating, shaking is done subconsciously in an attempt to dilate the blood vessels. Shaking of the head may also be seen as the ears play a vital part in cooling (through the large blood vessels that can be seen on the inside of these organs).
If left untreated, heatstroke can be fatal so prevent this from occurring as much as is possible by ensuring unlimited fresh water is available to drink, making sure the rabbit’s enclosure or hutch is well ventilated, and ensuring the rabbit has a shaded area to go which is out of direct sunlight.
If you do find a shaking rabbit and suspect heatstroke you can attempt to cool the rabbit down by first removing it to a cooler location.
Rabbit owners can also plan for these unfortunate situations in advance by filling some large soda bottles with water and freezing them ready to place into the run or hutch during warm weather. This allows the rabbit a cool object to lounge next to when it feels too hot.
Finally, rabbits also shake when they are ill or injured. Just like in humans, an injury may induce shaking as the body goes into a state of shock.
Alternatively, a rabbit may struggle with sickness in the form of digestive problems if they eat certain foods including some plants and flowers. If you notice your rabbit laying on its side, shaking and looking uncomfortable, this could be a sign of very serious gastrointestinal stasis.
Rabbits deteriorate very quickly so any illness in rabbits should be considered serious. In the case of gastrointestinal stasis, this is a medical emergency since the condition causes the digestive system to shut down entirely.
Dietary issues such as GI Stasis are easily avoided by taking a little time to educate yourself on the things a rabbit can and can’t eat. For this reason, we’ve put together an extensive rabbit feeding guide that includes a full list of safe food and plants a rabbit can eat.
Why Is My Rabbit Shaking His Head?
We have discussed that rabbits may shake their head in hot conditions but there is another cause that should be considered. If the weather is cool and you notice your rabbit shaking its head, this could signify that it may have a problem with mites.
There are three main types of mites that affect rabbits; burrowing mites, ear mites, and fur mites.
Fur mites will likely cause your rabbit to shake as they often affect the area at the back of the neck. If this is the cause of the problem, you will see what looks like dust on the affected area and the rabbit will probably attempt to scratch this.
Ear mites can cause severe irritation for your pet, and as their name may suggest, they affect the ears. Once again, this could result in the rabbit’s head shaking.
Burrowing mites are less common but nonetheless, something that all rabbit owners should be aware of. These mites will burrow under the rabbit’s skin and lay their eggs, causing serious irritation.
If you suspect that your rabbit may be experiencing any kind of mite issue, you should seek advice from a vet immediately.
How Do You Tell If A Rabbit Is Stressed?
If your rabbit becomes stressed, there is a very real chance that it may start shaking. But this is not the only sign of stress. If shaking is accompanied by one or more of the common signs below, it could be experiencing high-stress levels.
10 Signs of Stress in Rabbits
Some of the most common signs of stress in a rabbit are:
- Freezing in place
- Becoming aggressive when handled
- Flattening the ears against the body
- Restlessness
- Heavy/labored breathing
- Changes in eating habits
- Changes to toilet habits
- Grooming excessively or not enough
- Uncharacteristic behavior/inactivity
- Tooth grinding
How Do You Calm A Shaking Rabbit?
For situations of stress or fear the first thing you should do is to remove your rabbit from the stressful environment and move it somewhere safe. Even if you don’t see a threat, your rabbit may have picked something up with its heightened senses so taking it somewhere quiet can be hugely calming.
Once you are somewhere safe, you can pet your rabbit and give it lots of reassurance. As we mentioned earlier, rabbits often form strong bonds with their owners so a soothing recognizable voice will go a long way in reducing rabbit anxiety.
Taking a rabbit’s mind off a perceived threat by offering a favorite treat or toy to play with can also help.
When you have calmed your rabbit, try to determine what frightened it in the first place. Have you recently moved it into a new enclosure? Was there a loud noise or did your rabbit see a potential predator? Once you work out what the issue is, it can be easier to prevent your rabbit from experiencing this trigger in the future.
Wrap Up
Fear is the biggest natural cause of shaking in rabbits and as a rabbit’s heightened senses are much more adept at detecting danger than ours are, it’s impossible to prevent a rabbit from shaking through fear from time to time. All you can really do is your best, and remove your pet from these stressful situations when you see them.
Keeping a rabbit healthy and happy by always providing a healthy diet, lots of exercise (mental stimulation), and a clean, spacious, and safe home is a far more realistic way to help a rabbit lead a happy existence.
Related Questions
Why is my rabbit shaking and breathing fast?
Shaking along with breathing fast is usually a sign that a rabbit has been scared by something. As prey animals, rabbits have very nervous dispositions and their heightened senses mean that they can spot danger even where we do not see any.
How do you know when your rabbit is happy?
Happy rabbits will display several signs including being relaxed in your company, binkying (leaping spontaneously into the air), purring (a soft tooth grinding), and displaying a healthy appetite.
Further Reading
Why Is My Rabbit Shaking and Breathing Fast animalwised.com
Why Is My Rabbit Shaking? – Causes and Treatment animals.onehowto.com
Rabbit is trembling or shaking when relaxed rabbitsonline.net
