Gritting teeth...

[funnybunnymummy]

Aside from "tooth purring" and grinding their teeth because they're in pain, are there other reasons for a rabbit to grit its teeth?

It seems like Gus grits his teeth (a quick "grit-grit-grit") when he is irritated or displeased with us. (For instance, if I don't let him out of the bathroom right away when I get home, or if I only feed him two treats when he thinks he should get three...

) Sometimes, though, he'll just make that noise for no apparent reason. Just now he grit his teeth when he was nosing around the closed curtains in the dining room. Why would he being doing that?

Thanks!

Rue

 

[Amy27]

I have only heard of rabbits doing that when they are in pain or happy. Mine will sometimes do it when I am petting them. My one rabbit groans. All the time when she isn't happy with me. Anytime I put her in a carrier or take too long to give a treat she starts this groaning sighing noise. So I would think it could be possible that your bunny is doing it to let you know he is unhappy. But I would make sure it isn't any sign of pain. Just to be safe.

 

[Maureen Las]

Amy27 wrote:

I have only heard of rabbits doing that when they are in pain or happy. Mine will sometimes do it when I am petting them. My one rabbit groans. All the time when she isn't happy with me. Anytime I put her in a carrier or take too long to give a treat she starts this groaning sighing noise. So I would think it could be possible that your bunny is doing it to let you know he is unhappy. But I would make sure it isn't any sign of pain. Just to be safe.

Amy is right.. you need to evaluate if this is a pain response. rabbit generally hide distress so it sometimes is difficult to know unless you get your rabbit checked out by a vet ans/or watch more carefully for anythingelse that could be causing it.
I had a rabbit that had a molar crossing his mouth and imbedded in his opposite cheek. it required a stitch when the vet did his teeth.

My rabbit was quiet but did eat and did not grind teeth ( because he has so fewI suppose)

To this dayI feel so bad that he suffered so much without my awareness of it.

 

[funnybunnymummy]

I can't see it being a pain response. He was vet checked about a month ago and got a clean bill of health. Plus he doesn't do it regularly, which I think, if he was having pain, he would do?

It's usually in response to something we've done (or not done) and comes with a flip of the ears and him turning his back on us. So that's why I thought it's because he's irritated/annoyed with us. But he'll also do it other times. Like when he'snosing around inthe curtains, or streeeetching to see what's on the other side of the baby gate, or when he's looking out the patio doors, or trying to squeezebehind the couch, but can't get past the big pillow that's blocking it, etc.

I guess no one else's rabbit does this?

Rue

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Mine have done exactly as you describe, but only of pleasure. The grind, grind, grind quickly? Yeah, happy bun!

 

[funnybunnymummy]

Thanks, AngelnSnuffy.

Yep, it's a really quick grind-grind-grind or grit-grit-grit sound. Maybe I'm misinterpreting and he's not really annoyed, but pleased? ("Oh yay!I got a treat!" instead of "Hey! Where's the next one?" :biggrin2

Rue