Signs of Stress in Rabbits

Signs of Stress in Rabbits

• Eyes enlarge and show whites
• Body tenses with tail up
• Ears laid back tightly
• Growling or squeaking
• Rabbit pushes hand away
• Lack of vitality or interest
• Flinches when touched
• Breathing becomes rapid
• Biting animals

Causes of Stress in Animals

• Unusual noises
• Unknown places
• Confusing or inconsistent training or handling
• People exhibiting strange or unusual behavior
• Unpredictable or rough handling
• Unusual odors
• Being crowded by people or other animals
• A resident or staff member being nervous or acting in a strange way from the animals perspective
• Extreme indoor and outdoor temperatures
• Housing or resting area in an inappropriate place, not able to get adequate rest as a result
• Requiring the animal to be up and active 24 hours a day to match the staff shifts of facility
• Too many animals (whether the same or a different species) within the same general area causing crowded territory issues (How many is too many? The animals will tell you!)
• Inadequate exercise or mental stimulation
• Inadequate diet for species
• Humans 'anthropomorphizing' animal behavior thus causing behavior problems
• Inappropriate or excessive feeding of animals
• Visiting animals from outside the facility coming into their territory (You need to be forewarned when visiting animals are coming in.)

source:University of Minessota, Censhare; http://www.censhare.umn.edu/care06.html; 23/12/2010