When you think of bunny movement, the first thought that pops into your mind is hopping. However, you may have wondered, can rabbits walk or just hop? Rabbits exhibit a variety of movements that give you insight into their mood, their needs, and their fears. It is a good idea to learn these behavioural cues. A rabbit’s hop and its walk can help you understand your pet rabbit better and anticipate his needs.
Can rabbits walk?
Yes, your pet rabbit can walk. It can best be described as a halting crawl. It is generally a timid movement. However, you may notice that your rabbit prefers to hop. A rabbit can walk when he is apprehensive. He may also walk if he is exploring new terrain. A rabbit’s walk will most likely be accompanied by cautious sniffing. If your pet rabbit seems to only walk. There may be cause for concern. He may be anxious or hurt. If he is hurt, it may be an injury to one of his legs. Illness may also cause your rabbit to be lethargic. He may not want to move at all. So, the best course of action is to examine him for injury. If he is injured schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. If he is not injured, take a look at any external factor that may be causing his distress.
Can I walk my rabbit on a leash?
Yes, you can walk your rabbit. Rabbits generally spend most of their time in their cages or hutches. If you live in an apartment, you may allow her to hop along your corridors to get some extra exercise. If you have a backyard, you can treat your pet bunny to afternoon jaunts to get some fresh air. However, you may want to take your bunny on a walk in a quiet park.
Of course, you want to make this outing safe and enjoyable for your bunny. Here we will show you how.
Purchase a harness for your bunny.
As always, your pet rabbit’s safety comes first. We recommend the harness because it is the most comfortable and safest option for your bunny. You can buy a harness for your rabbit online or your local pet store. They may even be available at the supermarket in the pet aisle. The best leash for rabbits is the H shaped harness. It gives your pet rabbit the support around its body with minimum discomfort. The harness basically serves 2 purposes. It keeps your rabbit from injuring himself on the walk and also it prevents your rabbit from hopping away. You certainly do not want to lose your rabbit on your walk!
Put your harness on your bunny
You need to wrap the harness snuggly around your pet rabbit’s body. It should not be too tight or too loose. If your pet rabbit has never worn a harness before, you need to be gentle. You should stroke your rabbit and talk her in soothing tones. It may be useful to bring a treat, so your rabbit knows that she is about to have fun!
Be patient and let her adjust
So, if you buy your harness today, do not expect to be walking by that very same day. Your rabbit is going to need to get accustomed to this new paraphernalia. Do not be afraid if your rabbit jumps about and seems a bit agitated at first. Your bunny may not like his new harness right away. So, give him a few days. Put it on him once a day. Attach the lead to the harness and just allow him to drag it around the room.
Do a practice run at home
You should start by walking your bunny with his new harness around indoors and then maybe in your backyard if you have one. Rabbits can be very skittish, so you need to let your bunny proceed at his own pace.
Take your rabbit on a short walk and gradually work your way up to longer jaunts
Firstly, you should choose a spot that is not busy. By not busy, we mean your route should not have dogs and children at play. Loud noises and potential predators may send your rabbit into a panic. The key is to choose a quiet path. Remember, when you are walking your rabbit. You should allow your rabbit to lead you. You should never pull or tug on your rabbit. This is likely to cause substantial injury. As your rabbit begins to enjoy her walks, she will let you know when she is ready for a longer one.
Be alert
While your rabbit can walk without a care in the world, you need to be on the lookout for any incoming threats. If a dog or a cat suddenly appears on the path, it is better to pick your rabbit up at this point. Your pet rabbit will most likely want to explore, so keep an eye out for poisonous plants.
How do rabbits hop?
A rabbit’s body is built for hopping. Your bunny is equipped with powerful hind legs. Its spine is extremely flexible and designed to absorb the shock of hopping. When your bunny hops, he places his weight on his hind legs and this causes a spring-like effect that propels the rabbit forward. As a rabbit lands, her front paws absorb the shock of the hop. Amazingly, a rabbit can hop about 4 feet into the air and lunge 10 feet forward in a single bound. A rabbit can hop at about 50 miles per hour in short spurts of movement. Your pet rabbit can hop by the time she is about 10 days old. So, if you have a litter of kittens, be prepared for a playful display.
Why do rabbits hop?
A rabbit can hop for a number of reasons. It is always a good idea to monitor your pet rabbit’s behaviour patterns. So, you can make the necessary adjustments to keep your rabbit calm and happy.
A rabbit can hop when he is agitated
Your rabbit may hop frantically about and thump his foot when he is nervous or upset. This is the way rabbits communicate to the other bunnies that there may be a threat nearby. If your rabbit’s environment becomes noisy. He may also react in this way.
A rabbit can hop when he is angry
Your rabbit may hop towards you or another a bunny, remain on its hind legs and put up his front paws as if he intends to spar with you. Your rabbit is definitely challenging you!
A rabbit can hop during the mating ritual
Hopping is definitely a part of rabbit mating behaviour. Both the bucks and does hop about if they are about to mate. A female may express her interest in a mate by hopping about. Bucks may hop about and may eventually fight if they are interested in the same female. However, you should separate your rabbits if they are fighting. Rabbit fights can get pretty vicious and they can get seriously hurt.
A rabbit can hop if it is being pursued
If your pet rabbit has the unfortunate experience of being chased by a predator or an overzealous pet, she may hop quickly in a zigzag pattern. When your rabbit is running away from danger, he will instinctively try to confuse his pursuer. In essence, throw him off his tracks. Since the rabbit is a prey animal, he will always be full of engrained tricks to help him survive.
A rabbit can hop when he is happy
A bunny that hops and does flips in the air is an ecstatic bunny. This behaviour is called binkying. Your rabbit may hop and jump during playtime or during your special bonding time. It’s always a pleasure to see your rabbit so happy.
Can rabbits hurt themselves while hopping?
Yes, rabbits can sustain an injury while hopping in certain circumstances.
A rabbit can hop from a height and sustain an injury
If you are holding your rabbit and something scares her, she may hop out of your arms and hurt herself. The only way to protect your rabbit in this situation is to be alert regarding potential triggers and hold your rabbit firmly. While you should never hold your rabbit tightly, a firm grip against your body is quite safe.
A rabbit can hop unto an unsafe surface and sustain an injury
If your rabbit hops unto a slippery surface, she may hurt herself in the process. Surfaces not recommended for rabbits are:
- Wood floors
- Linoleum
- Tiles
Carpets and rugs are ideal for indoor hopping. This gives your rabbit something to grip on to. Of course, nothing is safer than a rabbit hopping in the grass.
So now you know that a rabbit can both hop and walk. It just depends on her intentions. The movements that a rabbit chooses to use can be practical. For instance, when he wants to get from one place to another quickly. Or when he wants to show you how he feels. Either way, your rabbit’s movement is a reliable motivation indicator.
