Loud, Strange Grunting Noises

[mocha200]

My new bunny makes these very loud and weird sounding grunts whenever she is angry. The times I hear it is:

• When I am touching her
• Touching something that’s “hers” like the cage
• When she sees a cat (she HATES the cats, or she is just very scared of them

I was wondering if this noise is normal. It is just so strange! My other two bunnies grunts are way quieter and normal sounding. Here is a video of her doing it: http://youtu.be/EF9NsE9JBkw

[Tessie]

Hey Hayley, haven’t seen you here in a while!

Goodness, that’s a funny noise! haha
I’ve never heard it so I can’t help you I’m afraid. :/

How are Mocha and Lulu and her getting along now?

[mocha200]

Tessie: They are doing great together! They are bonded and living in the same room.

[Tessie]

Oh awesome! That must be a relief!

[Sindri]

My netherland Usagi has made noises like that at my other rabbit and sometimes when I have tried to pick him up. He has made these noises when both scared and angry.

[Hazel]

Sounds just like Oscar when he’s angry. I’m pretty sure it’s cursing and I’m grateful that I can’t understand it…

He does this anytime I reach into his cage or touch him in a way he doesn’t like. It gets a lot worse when I feed him, then he will curse as well as lunge at me with his mouth open. His teeth are so sharp that they cut my skin on contact. It gets pretty scary sometimes…

Looks like you’re getting off easy with your girl.

[mocha200]

I guess I just have a little Diva on my hands! Haha! She has never bit me before so in grateful for that.

She does let me pet her sometimes but she doesn’t put her head down into a submission pose she holds he head high and while I’m petting her she looks like she’s trying to sniff my hand. Then she either chins my hand or runs away foot flicking! Haha

[Sindri]

Hehe she does sound like a Diva. Of course I remember you telling her story. She might be like that from her past living situation. Maybe one day she will stop. My female netherland rarely will put her head down in submission to be petted either. She rarely sits still. She may be like mine.

[RabbitPam]

Mocha, that is too funny! I thought she might be like Sammy, whom I call Miss Growly Pants when she lunges and snorts, but this is a slightly different sound. She does it each time you pet her!
Has she had her basic vet exam yet? I would try to get her to do it in front of the vet when you get her checked out. I only say this in case she has a stuffy nose and it’s making her snort a bit loudly. Otherwise, she’s just Ms. Growly Pants the Second, and you will have fun with your Diva for a while.

[LittlePuffyTail]

The more I hear about your new bunny, the more I’m convinced she’s Olivia’s long lost twin! Olivia makes that grumbly sound all the time. Anytime I displease her, and despite my best efforts, that is often.

[Bam]

Yohio is a twin too, then. He does that growling sound quite often. He can even growl as a demand for pets, if I f ex try to go to sleep and he thinks there’s still lots more cuddling that needs to be done (we cuddle in bed every night). He does put his head in submissive position though – often right after a growl and a lunge =) 

I think perhaps it’s some kind of frustration involved, not always just aggression or feeling threatened. Perhaps sth he needs to communicate but can’t, or some conflicting impulses. Perhaps you have to interpret it by what context it occurs in. Like nipping can be both angry and attention-seeking, even begging for a treat: Instances where one action is being used to convey very different messages.

It’s not an abnormal sound though, I can assure you.  
  
 Your bunny is very cute in the video =)

[MimzMum]

Hi Hayley! I just happened on this post today. I didn’t know you’d gotten a new bun. What a cutie!

That is SO Fiver’s “oink”! He greets me with that everyday. He was the pet of four nasty little boys who used to haul him about by his ears. Your bun seems a bit head shy so maybe she is just giving a warning about having contact in that area. I just oink right back at Fiver (I can mimic him pretty well.) I agree she may be a bit of a diva. I know if you have any concerns about her health you’ll ask your vet.  

[RabbitPam]

MM makes a good point about being head shy. She might not growl if you pet her sides or back instead, or go there first. Don’t come at her from above with your fingers spread (looks like bird talons). Rather, palm up, then turn over palm to pet. I’m curious if she will let you, with or without noise. Sammy is the opposite – can’t pet her most days beyond the shoulders, though after 5 years she sometimes allows a side rub. She prefers head pets.

[mocha200]

She we let me pet her on her head. She seems to enjoy it but other times she hops away foot flicking!

[Slowebot]

OMG your bun is too funny. It’s weird because she doesn’t seem agitated from the petting from her body language, the noise is puzzling though. I’d say it was aggression but she doesn’t even try to run away or move. Maybe she’s just being vocal? Or maybe she even wants a certain type of petting like little scratches instead of pets since she didn’t grunt when you brushed her. I’d just say she’s trying to communicate something to you, not that she’s scared or aggressive, just spoiled. So funny!

[Slowebot]

At least that’s what I get from the video, as far as when you’re touching her cage I’d say that’s her being angry or annoyed (more annoyed probably) and with your cat she’s probably being aggressive and assertive.

[Jessie1990]

Ashe does this all the time. Sometimes she adds a lunge or box with her grunt Ashe does it when she’s grumpy.

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