Signs of pain in rabbits
Rabbits show very little of their pain. Look for eating less or not at all, smaller or no droppings, sitting hunched, teeth grinding and half-closed eyes. If your rabbit will not eat, not even a favourite treat, and that does not improve within one to two hours, call your vet straight away.
In short
- Rabbits are prey animals and hide pain
- Not eating is always an emergency in a rabbit
- Small, hard or no droppings point to a slow gut
- Teeth grinding, sitting hunched and half-closed eyes are signs of pain
- See a vet in the evening or at the weekend too
Why pain is hard to spot in rabbits
Rabbits are prey animals. In the wild, an animal that looks weak stands out, so they hide pain as well as they can. That makes the signs small. You know your rabbit best: look for anything that is different from normal.
Signs in posture and behaviour
- Sitting hunched, or pressing the belly to the ground
- Lying down a lot, or restlessly changing position
- Eating less or not at all, even favourite food
- Drinking less or more than usual
- No longer grooming properly
- Teeth grinding, trembling or fast breathing
Signs in the face
Vets use the Rabbit Grimace Scale, a set of facial expressions linked to pain. Look for:
- Eyes half or fully closed
- Flattened cheeks, as if pulled in
- A tense, narrow nose
- Ears held flat against the back or head
Check the droppings
Healthy droppings are large, round and dry. If they get smaller and harder, the gut is slowing down. If you see no droppings at all, the gut may be coming to a standstill. Runny or sticky droppings, mucus or blood are also a reason to see your vet.
Not eating? That is an emergency
A rabbit has to keep eating to keep its gut moving. If it eats less because of pain, the gut slows down, which causes more pain. Things can go wrong quickly.
The LICG advises: if your rabbit will not eat, not even something it really likes, and that does not improve within one to two hours, contact your vet straight away. Do not wait until the next day, even in the evening or at the weekend.
What to do until you see the vet
Call your vet and follow their advice. Do not give a painkiller yourself, and never one meant for people or another animal. Only your vet can decide which product is suitable for a rabbit and how much.
If your rabbit is sent home with a liquid medicine, read how to give your rabbit medicine. Not sure of its weight? See weighing your rabbit.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my rabbit is in pain?
Look for eating less or not at all, sitting hunched, lying down a lot, teeth grinding, half-closed eyes, flat ears and smaller or no droppings. Anything different from normal can point to pain.
My rabbit is not eating. Is that serious?
Yes. Not eating is always an emergency in a rabbit, because the gut can come to a standstill. If it does not improve within one to two hours, call your vet straight away.
My rabbit is grinding its teeth. What does that mean?
Loud teeth grinding can be a sign of pain, such as stomach pain. Check whether your rabbit still eats and produces droppings, and contact your vet.
My rabbit is not producing droppings. What now?
The gut may have stopped. Contact your vet straight away, also in the evening or at the weekend.
Can I give my rabbit a painkiller myself?
No. Do not give a painkiller from your own cupboard, and never one meant for people or other animals. Only your vet can decide which product is suitable and how much.
Should I go to the vet in the evening or at the weekend?
Yes, if your rabbit is not eating or is clearly in pain. Do not wait until the next day. Most practices have an emergency number.
Sources
Also useful
Hopdose is a measuring aid, not a medicine. For animal use only. Always follow your vet's advice on product, dose and length of treatment. Hopdose does not give medical advice.