How To Put A Rabbit To Sleep?

If you own rabbits, you should know how to put a rabbit to sleep before you can go to sleep. Otherwise, your sleep can get disturbed by rabbits. So the first thing you need to do to put your rabbit to sleep is to make sure that your pet has enough physical activities during the day and eats well.

We all know that rabbits sleep by themselves whenever they feel like it, but what if you want to do it yourself?

I am sure that you already know that bunnies are neither nocturnal nor sleepy in the day. However, rabbits are crepuscular creatures, which means they are active during dawn and dusk.

They like to take mini naps instead of long and deep sleep because they are very alert to their surroundings since it is instinctive. Even sometimes my rabbit, Thumper, is like that!

In this article, we will discuss how to put a rabbit to sleep, including some tips about caring for them.

So without any more delays, let us get right into it!

5 Tips On How To Put a Rabbit To Sleep

Rabbits are super adorable pets that need about eight hours of sleep per day.

If you notice that your bunny does not have the correct number of hours for rest and you are worried about rabbit sleep, maybe an underlying medical issue is the reason.

In that case, you must see the veterinarian immediately.

Here are the following steps or ways to help you give your rabbit quality sleep.

Step #1. Tire your rabbit out

Long hours of exercise for your bunny before bed helps make it sleep-tight.

In that way, you and your beloved pet can have a good night’s sleep without you worrying about the tiny noises it makes at night.

Exercise can help in improving the health and the immunity of your bunny. In addition, it is the right way for you to bond with your pet and be closer to each other.

Step #2. Do not keep your rabbit in the cage

Boredom is one reason why a rabbit makes noises at night, such as digging and chewing on things. But, other than boredom, there can be more causes why do rabbits dig holes.

If your bunny has a vast space to play and exercise, it will have a low chance of making these noises.

It is better that you know your pet well to act fast to make a solution to issues. I am also a pet owner, and I have this adorable cottontail named Thumper.

I have noticed that he is prone to boredom all the time, which is why I always make sure that he has lots of toys and exercise every day.

A happy bunny would also reflect its owner because it means that they are well-taken care of.

It would also be an achievement for you to see your cottontail jump for joy every time, and you will be fulfilled and satisfied with your efforts.

Step #3. Place a blanket on the cage

An excellent and warm blanket on the cage floors can help make your bunny calm down. It is also an indicator that it is time for sleep, and that will encourage them to take a rest.

The blanket can also keep them warm at night and would eventually make them doze off without any difficulty.

A night of good sleep starts with a comfy bed, so you better make sure that your beloved pet has an excellent space to sleep at night.

Step #4. Take away noisy toys

I am sure that your bunny will play along with the noisy toy since these animals are curious by birth.

While everyone is fast asleep at night, it will undoubtedly be not very pleasant that your bunny is playing with a loud sound enough to wake you all up.

Toys are okay in the morning, where everyone is awake because the feeling of being awakened at night is undoubtedly frustrating. You can also learn how to make a soft rabbit toy.

Step #5. Maintain a good routine

Since rabbits are playful, it would be an excellent move to train your pet when to expect playtime.

Ensure that you give tasty treats after a good performance at the end of the day so that your bunny will do the routine every time.

3 Habits Of Sleeping Bunnies

There are some habits of rabbits that you will find amusing while they sleep.

The following are some points that you should familiarize if you are only starting to be a bunny owner:

#1. Asleep or not?

You can see your bunny being fast asleep; then it suddenly wakes up (only when it’s disturbed).

The reason for this might be because a single sound may alert them or because your bunny is having a dream in its sleep. You can learn more about how to mute rabbit chat sounds here.

Like humans, bunnies may have dreams like rabbits are hopping around and playing.

You should not be surprised about it, and be sure that you take note of the weird but cute behavior of your cottontail.

#2. Teeth grinding

you might notice another habit in your bunny is the teeth grinding, and you may even feel its cheek and chin vibrating clearly.

This is nothing to worry about. It means your bunny is happily sleeping as it’s their cute method of purring.

#3. Atonic and myoclonic movement

Bunnies sleeping are more flexible and fluid (atonic) and will also make involuntary jerking movements and rapid eye movement (myoclonic).

You have to be familiarized with these things so that when your pet exhibits these movements, you won’t be surprised.

What Do Rabbits Like To Sleep On?

The most popular answer to the above question is grass.

Fresh and clean hay would be one of the best beddings you can offer to your cottontail because it is warm and edible.

Rabbits love it so much because if they wake up in the middle of their sleep, they can nibble a little and then sleep again (how cute!).

Bunnies surely want grass mats until it is time for you to change it. But, first, you have to make sure that your bunny has a clean set of hay to prevent health issues.

Do not let grass or other types of bedding rot in the cage because that is a terrible move if you want a robust pet. You can also learn How to make a rabbit bed if you want to make one for your little cutie, yourself.

Conclusion

For the final words, bunnies need eight hours of sleep at night, and these adorable animals are light sleepers. Instead of a long rest, they would prefer to have naps from time to time throughout the day and night. They would be most comfortable in a familiar environment while they sleep, so you should be aware of their surroundings.

Rabbits can sleep with their eyes open and, of course, their eyes closed. They have this behavior because, in the wild, bunnies need to be attentive to their environment. After all, giant animals can hunt them down.

I hope that you have learned a lot from this blog post on “how to put a rabbit to sleep,” which will help you improve the quality of life of your rabbit.