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Old November 10th, 2005, 09:26 PM
Stanleys_girl's Avatar
Stanleys_girl Stanleys_girl is offline
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Location: Ontario
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Question Rabbit question.

My husband and I adopted a little Mini Rex rabbit last month. He is now 12 weeks old. This is our first time with a bunny. We have lots to learn!

I noticed a new behaviour this week. When standing up, Stanley will run in a circle around my feet over and over again (he's so cute!). This morning, he started making a noise while running around. I've never heard him make a sound before. I can only describe it as a "chirping" sound. At first, I thought it was a bird outisde... but a bent down and noticed Stanley was the one producing this sound. He did this twice today... both times while running around my feet.

Is it normal? Is this simply his way of catching my attention? He doesn't seem to be in any pain. Everything is normal. He went to the vet tonight and everything is great with him. I know I should've asked the vet, but it completely slipped my mind.

Thanks in advance!

SG
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Old November 10th, 2005, 11:51 PM
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CyberKitten CyberKitten is offline
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Location: New Brunswick - Nova Scotia
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This is absolutely normal and he sounds like quite a happy little fellow. There are two explanations for the circling behaviour, esp circling your feet — one suggests a happy bunny who is in love with you. The other is that it indicates sexual behavior and the bunny is in love.

Rabbits - like any animal - have a range or variety of sounds. While they do not purr, one of the ways one can ascertain happiness is a soft grinding of his teeth. It is very hard to hear and you need to listen closely and carefully to him. However, just like extraordinarily loud purring can indicate a cat is ill or in pain, the same is true for rabbits and teeth grinding.

Rabbits do not really chirp so I do not know what that could be. They do "sniff" however and that may be what you are hearing. Has he had his first vet apointment yet? I am just wondering about dental issues - you may want to make sure all is OK is fine with his teeth. Since the noise is when he is circling, it is more of a mating call I suspect. I hope you will be having him neutered soon - bunnies, just like male cats liove much longer and healthier lives once neutered. They are not frustrated from needing a mate so they do not mark their territory all the time - and bunny urine used for marking has a nost distinct smell. You would much prefer your bunny to claim his territory and belongings by chinning them rather than marking.

Enjoy Stanley!!

Here is a good intro for new bunny owners:

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/4-3/new-home.html
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Old November 11th, 2005, 10:01 AM
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Stanleys_girl Stanleys_girl is offline
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Thanks CyberKitten!

Stanley's been to the vet twice already. The first time was because he was sick when we first got him. :sad: Last night was just a checkup. The vet said Stanley was in great shape. I simply forgot to mention this behavious to the vet as I had so many other questions I wanted to ask.

That said, I don't think it's a medical issue. I really don't know how he made the noise... maybe it was while sniffing, as you said. I just mistook it for a bird chirping outside at first... it was very faint.
You mentionned soft grinding of the teeth. I noticed this when I pet him (he loves to be petted... and I love petting him!). He always looks like he's enjoying it... I guess now I know he does.

Now that we're sure that Stanley's a boy, the vet was able to explain everything I should know about neutering yesterday and gave me an estimate. He will be neutered when he's 6 months, so around mid-February.

Thanks so much for your help (and the great link!). I really appreciate it.
I'm such a worrywart when it comes to Stanley's health and happiness.
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