bunny teeth clicking or grinding?!

[flyingsaucer]

Hi everyone!
We have a recently neutered lovely 6 month old house bunny called Chestnut. Since he’s had his op he has started making a noise with his teeth…now we’ve read up on this and know that teeth chattering is good, and teeth grinding is bad….this may be a silly question…but how do you tell the difference? Our boy will make the noise while he’s having a stroke, or mid way through grooming us, and when he’s excited about food. However, we’re training him to be picked up (after advice from the local bunny shelter where his soon to be girlfriend will come from) and he doesn’t love it yet….and he clicks his teeth when we pick him up and put him down. This is why we’re confused! Does anyone have any advice as to how we can tell the difference?? We just want to make sure we have a happy, healthy bun!
Thank you! Xx

[LongEaredLions]

Bunnies grind/click (I have found there is not any difference between the two)their teeth when 1) they are happy or 2) they are in pain. However, it is easy to tell the differences between the two meanings. When they are in pain, is is a harsh grinding but while they are happy it is a purring.
How recently was his neuter?
He may be unhappy when you pick him up, but happy when you stroke him? Bunnies do tend to be more lovely after they are fixed. I don’t think you should worry as long as they sound isn’t loud or harsh.

[flyingsaucer]

Ahhh OK, thank you! I thought it was the purring I was just concerned because he was doing it so often! I guess we just have a happy bunny 🙂

He was nuetered about 3 weeks ago.

That’s her reassuring, thank you so much!

[Beka27]

This can be a confusing topic! Loud grinding can indicate pain (for example if you can hear it across the room), quiet or inaudible grinding is usually not an issue.

And of course, this really depends a lot on context! If your rabbit is clearly distraught and grinding = bad! If your rabbit is relaxed and grinding while you’re petting him = good!

I don’t hear Meadow grinding her teeth during pets, but rather I feel the gentle vibrations when I rub her cheeks or forehead. It’s like a bunny’s ways of saying, “Oh yeah, right there! That’s the spot!”

[flyingsaucer]

Hmmmm if the TV isn’t on Chestnut’s clicking can be heard across the room, When he finds a toy or is excited for example. I think he’s just very noisy!

[Beka27]

And that might be it! He might just be a loud boy!

[Author]

Messages