14 Sounds Rabbits Make and What They Mean

The reason rabbits are mostly quiet is because they are prey animals. Being silent is a rabbit’s main defense mechanism against predators as it will help them not to draw too much attention.
Nevertheless, rabbits are capable of making some sounds that help them communicate their feelings to us or other bunnies.

00:00 Introduction
00:35 Clucking
01:03 Thumping
02:07 Purring
02:34 Oinking or Honking
2:59 Sneezing
3:34 Whimpering
4:13 Grunting
4:43 Teeth Grating
5:24 Growling
5:52 Screaming
6:24 Snoring
7:13 Dreaming
7:42 Hissing

In this video, we will explore the most common sounds that rabbits make and explain what they mean.
Thumping
Among rabbits, thumping the back foot is a natural reaction to a threat that they may have seen, heard or smelled.
Back leg stomping can also be a sign of annoyance in the rabbit world. This behavior indicates that your rabbit is feeling irked or uneasy at the moment, and probably just wants to be left alone for some time. Some rabbits who are territorial may thump to warn you when you enter their territory.
Sneezing
Like humans and most other animals, rabbits also sneeze. More often than not, rabbits sneeze when their nasal passages are irritated. This can happen because an external irritant such as house dust, hay dust, perfumes, or cigarette smoke makes its way up the rabbit’s nose.
Sneezing can also be the result of upper respiratory infections or even allergies.
Grunting
More often than not, rabbits grunt when they are annoyed or feel threatened.
Toward humans, a rabbit may start grunting if they don’t want to be handled and they want you to leave them alone.
Rabbits also grunt when they want to protect their territory – such as their food or sleeping area. If your rabbit behaves like this, it is a good idea to leave them alone to calm down!
Purring
When a rabbit gently grinds their teeth together, it means they are calm and content. This is a rabbit's way of purring.
More often than not, your rabbit will make this sound when you are petting them and they are enjoying your company.
Teeth grating
Teeth grating is very similar to purring, but means the exact opposite.
When a rabbit is very loudly and intensely grinding their teeth together, it is a sign that they are uncomfortable or in pain. The rabbit may have an injury, or may be suffering from a dental disease, such as overgrown teeth. And you will also notice your bunny’s body language reflects discomfort.
Whimpering or Whining
Rabbits often whimper when they feel scared or afraid. It sounds like a snorting squeak and is a sign that they need some space so they can feel safe and calm down. You may hear this sound when you try to pick-up your bunny and they don’t want to be handled. It indicates your rabbit is not fully comfortable around you yet.
If your rabbit makes this sound, make sure to give them plenty of space to help them feel comfortable.
Growling
Growling is very similar to grunting.
Growling is a clear sign that your rabbit is angry or stressed. By growling, your rabbit is telling you to back off. Aggressive behavior will most likely ensue, so watch out.
Snoring
Believe it or not, rabbits can snore. Sometimes the cause of a rabbit’s snoring can be the simplest of things, such as their sleeping position.
Another reason could be your rabbit’s excess weight. When a rabbit is obese, extra fat can gather around the throat, restricting the airway and causing them to snore. Other reasons include allergies, dental diseases, or foreign bodies such as hayseeds in their nasal passages.
Lop-eared breeds with flat noses and faces are most likely to be a snorer.
Soft noises while asleep
You may have noticed that your rabbit makes soft mumbling sound in their sleep. This is because rabbits dream in REM stage of their sleep, and those noises or muscle twitches are responses to whatever that is happening in their dreams. Science suggests that rabbits are perfectly capable of dreaming like we do.
Screaming
Rabbits are capable of making a very loud screaming sound, but most people will never hear it. Screaming is a very uncommon and disconcerting sound.
More often than not, rabbits scream when they are extremely scared, or when they are under attack or in a lot of pain.
Oinking or honking
Honking is a soft sound that could be compared to a pig’s oink.
Rabbits make this sound when they are happy and excited. Like when they are expecting some yummy treats or when they get excited for play time. Rabbits also oink when you are petting them and they are enjoying the activity
Clucking
Rabbits make a soft clucking sound when they are eating a meal that they really enjoy. So if your rabbit makes a funny sound while munching on something delicious, this is probably what you hear.
Hissing
Rabbit hissing is very uncommon. The rabbit feels aggressive or threatened and wants to scare away a potential threat, so they might lunge, growl, and hiss. A hiss is also used to ward off other rabbits.