Signs your rabbit is in pain
Rabbits are prey animals, and hiding weakness is a survival instinct — a rabbit in real pain often looks almost normal at a glance, which is exactly what makes it dangerous to wait for obvious signs. Here's what actually shows up first.
The face tells you more than the behavior does
Veterinary researchers developed the Rabbit Grimace Scale specifically because facial expression is one of the few reliable pain signals a rabbit doesn't instinctively suppress. Look for eyes narrowing or partly closing, cheeks losing their round shape and looking sunken, the nose tip drooping with nostrils narrowing from a U shape to a V, whiskers standing away from the face and pointing down stiffly, and ears folding tighter and turning forward rather than their normal relaxed position. Any two or more of these together is a real signal, not a mood.
Tooth grinding: two versions that mean opposite things
A quiet, gentle grinding sound (sometimes called 'tooth purring') is actually a sign of contentment. Loud, audible tooth grinding is the opposite — a recognized sign of real pain. Knowing the difference matters, since a well-meaning owner could easily read either version as 'the same thing.'
Behavior and appetite changes
A rabbit that suddenly turns away from food, stops grooming (rabbits are normally meticulous), sits hunched, goes unusually still and quiet, or withdraws from a bonded companion is showing real signs, even without any obvious injury. Sudden aggression can also be a pain response, not a personality change.
What their droppings are telling you
Small or misshapen droppings, droppings strung together with fur, very soft or smelly stool, diarrhea, or no droppings at all are all worth taking seriously — the last one especially, since it can be an early sign of the GI stasis emergency covered in our rabbit care guide.
Our rabbit care basics guide covers the emergency this often points to — GI stasis — and what a rabbit actually needs day to day to stay healthy.
Get "Rabbit care basics"Educational content only. This article is for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for professional veterinary, behavioral, or medical advice — always consult a licensed professional about your own pet's specific needs. Frolicy's articles are researched from publicly available sources and written with AI assistance; they are not written or reviewed by a licensed veterinarian or behaviorist. Frolicy and its owners aren't liable for outcomes from following this content. See our Terms of Use for full details.