Rabbit Shaking Head During Bonding

[Haybun]

Hello!

I recently adopted two holland lops from a local shelter. They’ve been bonding great and making so much progress!

Today I noticed my female rabbit has been grooming and scratching quite a bit, nothing too alarming. When I put the rabbits together they began to cuddle and act very happy, but she started to shake her head. Nothing continuous just a slightly shake and then would plop down on her side, then get back up shake a few times and then wait then plop. This went on for about 10 minutes. She stopped this after a few pets to the head though.
Last thing is she will lift one ear during these dates as if she’s listening? This happens every 15 minutes or so.

After reading a few forums some people are saying some bunnies do this when happy? I’m also scared of her having ear mites since she was adopted. I checked her ears and there’s no signs of redness or swelling.

Just wondering if anyone has experienced this before or if they find it alarming? I’m a new bunny mom and just want to do my best to care for them. Thank you!

 

[JBun]

Rabbits will sometimes do a little head shake when happy, but that is usually also accompanied by something like a little body shake or a jump and twist in the air. Shaking the head from some sort of ear irritation will look different and is usually more vigorous than a happy head shake, and is also accompanied by different behaviors such as scratching at the ear as well. You may also find thinning fur at the base of the ear if it's been going on for a while.

She could have just had some ear wax or gotten something in her ear that was bothering her. But if she continues to do this head shaking on a regular basis and scratching at her ear excessively, I would get it checked out by an experienced rabbit vet, as ear mites or ear infection are possible causes for consistent ear irritation. Though it could also just be a build up of ear wax, which can be a common problem with lops. Might be a good idea to get her checked out regardless.
https://rabbit.org/vet-listings/

 

[somebunnylovesme]

My rabbit shakes his head when he is happy. He is the first one to ever do it. He does happy head shakes or a full rotating of swinging head in a shaking motion when I bring out the hay, his toys or when I enter a room that he is in.

 

[Haybun]

Rabbits will sometimes do a little head shake when happy, but that is usually also accompanied by something like a little body shake or a jump and twist in the air. Shaking the head from some sort of ear irritation will look different and is usually more vigorous than a happy head shake, and is also accompanied by different behaviors such as scratching at the ear as well. You may also find thinning fur at the base of the ear if it's been going on for a while.

She could have just had some ear wax or gotten something in her ear that was bothering her. But if she continues to do this head shaking on a regular basis and scratching at her ear excessively, I would get it checked out by an experienced rabbit vet, as ear mites or ear infection are possible causes for consistent ear irritation. Though it could also just be a build up of ear wax, which can be a common problem with lops. Might be a good idea to get her checked out regardless.
https://rabbit.org/vet-listings/

Thank you for the response and link. This has put me to ease and I will get them both into a doctor as soon as possible for a check up.

 

[Haybun]

Hello!

I recently adopted two holland lops from a local shelter. They’ve been bonding great and making so much progress!

Today I noticed my female rabbit has been grooming and scratching quite a bit, nothing too alarming. When I put the rabbits together they began to cuddle and act very happy, but she started to shake her head. Nothing continuous just a slightly shake and then would plop down on her side, then get back up shake a few times and then wait then plop. This went on for about 10 minutes. She stopped this after a few pets to the head though.
Last thing is she will lift one ear during these dates as if she’s listening? This happens every 15 minutes or so.

After reading a few forums some people are saying some bunnies do this when happy? I’m also scared of her having ear mites since she was adopted. I checked her ears and there’s no signs of redness or swelling.

Just wondering if anyone has experienced this before or if they find it alarming? I’m a new bunny mom and just want to do my best to care for them. Thank you!

Update: She stopped shaking and scratching after her play date. I can tell she is very irritated with me for checking/cleaning her ears though. Hopefully she forgives me soon! Haha