Since pet rabbits are comparatively docile and not as extroverted as other pets, their intelligence is sometimes overlooked. In fact, they are far cleverer than most people think. Sadly, intelligence is often equated with how much “personality” the pet displays. However, intelligence has more to do with using skills, acquiring knowledge and being able to reason. If you have a pet rabbit, you will see evidence of these qualities time and time again. So how intelligent are pet rabbits? Here we will take a deeper look at what that means.
What are the signs that your rabbit is intelligent?
Pet rabbits like to play
Play is often an indication of intelligence. It Is unhealthy for you to simply keep your pet rabbit in a cage or hutch without any kind of stimulation. Rabbits need toys to keep them mentally stimulated so that they can function at their best. A pet rabbit can easily become depressed if he or she is simply existing.
Some toys that are perfect for a pet rabbit are:
- Chew toys
- Tunnels
- Balls
- Hanging toys/ Mobiles
- Obstacle courses/Or Activity toys
There are quite a few toys on the market for bunnies. You should choose toys that are made of non-toxic materials. If you are on a budget there are many household items that make safe toys for rabbits.
- Paper towel/ toilet paper rolls
- Empty thread spools
- Old baby toys
- Stuffed animals
- Wicker baskets that you no longer need
The fact that rabbits need to explore and play is proof that pet rabbits are intelligent creatures and their brains require adequate stimulus so that they can function at their fullest potential
Pet rabbits can learn
Yes, your pet rabbit is intelligent enough to learn how to do tricks and simple tasks!
Here are some tricks that your clever rabbit can learn:
- Jump up – You can train your rabbit to hop up on your lap, into your arms or your couch.
- Walk around your legs
- Shake a paw – You can teach your rabbit how to give a “handshake”.
- Following – You can teach your rabbit to follow you around the house.
Your pet rabbit is even capable of learning more intricate tricks like:
- Retrieval – You can teach your rabbit to fetch small items like your wallet or pens.
- Walking on their hind legs
- Obstacle courses – You can train your pet rabbit to jump through hopes and over items.
- Commands – You can train your rabbit to stay or come.
- Litter tray use – Keeping your rabbit and his cage clean is extremely important. Once you show your rabbit what the tray is for, he will understand its use. However, don’t be surprised if you come and see your rabbit sleeping in it. Sometimes, rabbits find their litter trays extremely comfortable.
Rabbits can recognise their owners
Recognition is a sign of social intelligence in animals. You will notice that your rabbit will look significantly happier when you enter the room. Her ears will perk up and she may frisk about as you approach. She may sniff the air in your direction.
When can I start training my rabbit?
You can start training your rabbit when he turns 6 months of age. Any time before that will be futile. The rabbit’s attention span is too short for learning before 6 months. All you will achieve if you try to train your rabbit too early is frustration.
How do I train a rabbit?
Rabbits usually absorb their training pretty well. Here are some tips that will make your rabbit training a success.
- Use treats – Food has always been an excellent motivator. Toys can also be used as well. When you teach your bunny something new and he succeeds, reward him with a treat. This reinforces the behaviour. Rabbits respond to positive reinforcement better than punishments. Eventually, you will be able to wean your rabbit off the treats.
- Be patient – Training takes time. You will need to repeat the lessons daily so that your rabbit gets the hang of the task or trick.
- Proper positioning – As with all training, your pet rabbit ha to be able to observe you. You should be aware that your rabbit is far-sighted, and his eyes are positioned on either side of his head. Remember, rabbits need to be able to spot their natural enemies from far away and flee if necessary.
- Be gentle – During training, you can stroke your bunny to reassure him. Never tug on his ears or manhandle your rabbit.
Is my rabbit clever enough to understand my words?
Your rabbit will understand some of your words. Rabbits understand important words like come and stay. They may also understand words associated with meals like dinner. However, experts believe that rabbits understand the tones of our voices more than anything else. They associate high pitch jovial tones with positive actions. So, if you give them a command, use this tone, they are more likely to respond. Low firm commands often catch your rabbit’s attention. So if you say the word “no“ to your rabbit he may stop what he is doing and look at you. This is useful when you want to stop them from engaging in harmful activity. This information can help keep your rabbit safe. They often interpret soft low tones as a sign of comfort, so if your pet rabbit is anxious, speak to him in a soothing voice.
Are rabbits more intelligent than cats and dogs?
To be honest, it is difficult to compare intelligence across species. A rabbit will be “smart” when it comes to rabbit behaviours. A dog’s or cat’s intelligence can only be measured when it is compared against what their species are able to do.
That being said, it is generally believed that predatory animals are cleverer than prey animals. Predators often have to learn various skills to enhance their hunting abilities and give them an edge over their competitors.
However, rabbits are not to be underestimated, they do have decent survival skills in the wild. Also, rabbits are remarkable engineers. They can build miles of tunnels and burrows that do not collapse. It certainly is an accomplishment that can be attributed to their intelligence.
Are wild rabbits more intelligent that pet rabbits?
So, this answer is not particularly straightforward. Both wild rabbits and pet rabbits have similar intellectual capacity. However, they have adapted their intelligence to suit their environments. A wild rabbit has more acute survival skills since out in the wild he is likely to encounter more predators. He is generally more at risk. As such, in order to survive, he has to be more astute to protect himself. As you would expect, a pet rabbit would not last long in the wild. A pet rabbit has no need to learn survival skills since he is provided with food, water, and shelter.
Similarly, if you took a wild rabbit home, he would not be able to connect or bond with you on a social level. You see a wild rabbit has no need to connect with a human for its needs. Your pet rabbit knows how to interact with humans and takes great delight in her human connection.
Which breeds of rabbits are the most intelligent?
While all rabbits are relatively intelligent, there are some rabbit breeds that stand out among the rest:
- Belgian hares – The Belgian Hare were bred during the 1800s in Eastern Europe. They are a mix of domestic and wild rabbits. They are generally very alert and respond very well to training.
- Harlequins – This rabbit that is known for its unusual colouring is also remarkably clever. It is not known where this breed originated. However, some rabbit experts believe that they were first seen in Japan. They are very curious by nature. These bunnies also have a mischievous streak. They are always studying their environment and are often extremely good escape artists from their cages or hutches. You need to keep your eyes on these cunning fellows.
- Continental Giants – These large bunnies are mild-mannered and laid back. Since they are so docile, you may be tempted to think that they are dull, but nothing can be further from the truth. They are known for being clever and they are one of the easiest rabbits to train.
- Mini Lops – Its easy-going nature is what stands out about this rabbit. Mini Lops are a combination of about 7 purebred rabbits. This gives them a distinctive genetic cocktail when it comes to intelligence.
- Holland Lops – Even though they are the smallest of the lop breeds, they are no less intelligent.
- Netherland Dwarfs – These rabbits are also the result of interbreeding. They often look like if they are up to no good. They are curious and mischievous by nature. These personality traits are often the mark of an intelligent rabbit.
Pet rabbits can be classified among the intelligent mammals in the animal kingdom. They are capable of learning several tricks and skills. Bunnies make interesting pets, despite their docile nature. Their levels of intelligence may vary depending on their breeds. However, regardless of the type of bunny, you are guaranteed to have a clever furry companion.
