Rabbits are prey animals, which means that tend to mask illness or injury until it has progressed beyond mild. This can also mean that your rabbit could be attempting to mask their pain. Whether it's GI stasis, injury, other illness or simply chronic arthritis, it's important to be able to recognise the signs and seek help to find the exact cause and implement treatment.
Signs your rabbit may be in pain:
- Sitting in a hunched position/arching - A rabbit may sit in a hunched position or shift and arch their back multiple times to attempt to relieve their pain and find a comfortable posture while they are in pain
- Stretched out, rigid posturing or stomach pressing - A rabbit may lie flat with their legs extended behind them, stiffly sitting without fluid movement or appear to be stretching out and pressing their stomach into the floor. This can indicate abdominal discomfort or musculoskeletal pain, as the rabbit tries to relieve pressure on sensitive areas
- Shifting weight or position continually/dragging - If a rabbit is favouring one side of the body for resting or sitting tilted this may signal pain in an opposite limb or opposite side of the body which can often be due to illness, injury, arthritis, or neurological issues. They may also drag their belly across the floor to attempt to relieve pain
- Raising the hindquarters - Raising the hindquarters slightly while in a sitting or an almost loafing position that is different to their normal loafing can indicate urinary, reproductive, or pelvic pain issues
- Teeth grinding - Distinctly loud, audible grinding that differs from the soft tooth "purring" sound often heard from content rabbits
- Reluctance to move, lay down or groom - Some rabbits will avoid lying down if it exacerbates their pain and will remain in a hunched or tense position refusing to undertake normal movement or behaviours for extended periods or time
- Hiding - Rabbits are prey animals and will instinctively hide when they are feeling unwell or are in pain as a method of protecting themselves from potential predators
- Aggression - A rabbit suddenly showing aggression can indicate that something is wrong and should be investigated for the cause as it can be pain related from an illness or injury. Much like hiding, aggression is a protective method rabbits may undertake
- Facial tightness - A rabbit may appear tight/pinched in the face especially around their nose and eyes which can indicate pain
- Rapid breathing - Changes to a rabbit's breathing particularly rapid, shallow breaths can indicate pain or respiratory issues
Any of the above pain symptoms requires immediate veterinary attention from a rabbit specialist vet for correct diagnosis and treatment.
