Why Do Rabbits Shake? 3 Best Reasons To Explain!
Did you ever question yourself why do rabbits shake? Then the most probable answer to that is because of fear or nervousness.
There is also another viable answer, which is due to high heat.
Why is that so?
It is because rabbits do not have adequate tolerance when it comes to high temperatures.
Furthermore, if you notice that your pet is lying and is shaking excessively, then it may be caused by GI stasis.
This article will give you some essential information about why rabbits shake.
If you think that you are ready, keep scrolling because we will begin the discussion.
Reasons Why Rabbits Shake
Why do rabbits shake?
A bunny can shake for several reasons, and if you want to be a useful pet owner, you must learn about these things.
Other causes are relatively ordinary and straightforward, and some can be very disturbing.
These are the following that you must understand:
#1. Due to hiccups
Hiccups are not considered fatal for your pet, so you might as well relax.
However, a bunny may have some spasms every time that it hiccups.
Though this action may be distressing, I am sure that it won’t harm your beloved pet.
Here’s the thing that you must not forget:
When the said hiccups last for less than 20 minutes, you should not be alarmed.
But if you have observed that your bun repeatedly has hiccups, check its food because that may be the culprit.
#2. Rabbits may shake to hide its pain
Since rabbits are not at the top of the food chain, it is in their nature that they should never let food hunters see that they are weak.
Bunnies are skilled enough to seal or hide any signs of pain to avoid being eaten.
The hurting of a rabbit may be severe and can be fatal if not attended immediately.
As a pet owner, you have to check if a bunny is in great pain or not.
To do that, you have to feel its body gently and observe if it would react to your touch.
The injury may not only be on one part of the body, so you might want to check overall.
If you see that your pet reacted to a particular spot, then immediately seek a vet’s help so that the pain that it is feeling will go away.
#3. Rabbits tend to shake when it is hot
You must also understand that rabbits have high tolerance in cold temperatures compared to the warm seasons. read more here how to keep rabbits warm in winter
To support this statement, a rabbit can adapt quickly to chilly seasons by building a fat layer in its body to withstand the cold.
On the other hand, too much heat can make your rabbit ill.
Let me tell you a story.
I have a hopper pet, and I named him Thumper.
It was the summer season, and at noon, I decided to sit outdoors. I got Thumper out of the cage and let him hop around the garden. After a while, I noticed that he was shaking!
I was terrified because I had no idea why my bunny was trembling.
Luckily, my mother also went outside of the house and explained to me what is the reason for Thumper’s behavior.
My mom said that as ironic as it seems to be, rabbits are different, and they shake when it is too hot, and that was when I understood everything.
Here’s a piece of advice:
You have to be aware that long periods of high heat can cause your bunny to have a heat stroke.
If you are not cautious and aware of that matter, your beloved pet can suffer pain and die.
Signs Of Heat Stroke
Heatstroke can be a dangerous thing to happen to your bunny.
Why?
Because these furry animals are more susceptible to this illness than humans, and a bunny feeling super hot is never a good thing!
Here are the following symptoms that you must know if your pet is having a heat stroke:
- Ears are reddening
- Weakness
- Bunnies tend to salivate
- Slow in movement
- You can see signs of convulsion or shake
- Bunny may have much panting than usual
Ways To Make Your Bunny Cool
You can act in several ways if you notice that your pet is feeling very warm.
Here are the steps that you should take:
Step #1. Make sure that your bunny has an area that is not directly heated by sunlight. The shade that you will provide will be of great help to ease the hotness that your pet may feel.
Step #2. Keeping them near some stones or tiles will make them feel relaxed in some ways, especially if these bunnies are feeling it in their bellies.
Step #3. If you are capable and you have good air conditioning at home, then you might want to turn it on to alleviate the warm feeling of your bun.
Step #4. If your house has many windows, try to open it to enter the cool breeze. You can also make use of your fan if you have any.
Step #5. You can also freeze some water bottles for your rabbit, and after that, it has become problematic, you can lay it beside your bunny. I am sure that it will enjoy the feeling and might lick the bottle. read more here how to make homemade rabbit water bottle
Step #6. Place a cold and damp towel on the area where your bunny hangs out the most (which is its cage). You have to make sure that the towel is not dripping wet so that your bunny won’t feel uncomfortable about it.
Step #7. You can also serve your pet with veggies for the primary reason of keeping them hydrated.
The best thing that you can again do is leave some water on them to have a sip when they feel hot or thirsty. please read here how do rabbit drink water
Get a no-drip water bottle for rabbits.
Conclusion
So, why do rabbits shake?
In conclusion, there can be several reasons why rabbits shake, and you need to be aware of it.
The main reason is that the shaking can sign a severe illness, leading to death.
Some reasons may not be alarming, but what is a little preparation and is ready, right?
The thing is, as a useful pet owner, you need to observe and be aware of everything that is happening to your beloved pet.
It is not every day that these furry animals will be healthy, so a regular check-up is necessary.
You have to understand that taking good care of rabbits can make them very healthy and free from illnesses.
I hope you have learned a lot in this blog post, and thank you very much for reading!
Always check up on your lovely fur pets.
