Behavioral reactions are the manifestation of activity by an animal to the action of any environmental factors. To understand why a rabbit sharply taps its hind legs, you need to observe your pet for some time. Only in this way will it be possible to “decipher” the rabbit’s behavior and understand exactly what situations provoke the manifestation of such behavior.
Danger warning
Some of the irritating factors are loud, incomprehensible sounds, a sudden change in the situation - when the animal perceives a danger to its life.Rabbits can react this way at different times of the day, in a cage or on a walk. As soon as the animal has a feeling of danger, it begins to pound its paws.
A female rabbit can react in a similar way to the mating process, since she is placed in a cage with a male. The female may perceive moving from cage to cage as a dangerous situation, so she knocks with her hind legs. If the female rabbit shows aggression, it is recommended to return her to her “native” cage and repeat the mating attempt after 1-2 days.
Irritation
The reasons for dissatisfaction or irritation may vary. Owners note that most often pets knock their paws in the following situations:
- replacing the old cage with a new one;
- Even a small rearrangement in the room irritates the animal. After all, he needs to re-adapt to the situation;
- It can be irritating for your pet to be forcibly removed from the cage to clean the inside of the structure. The best solution is to clean the cage when your pet goes for a walk.
It is believed that long-eared animals are more active in the morning or evening hours. However, if there is a constant source of irritation, the rabbit will bang its hind legs both during the day and at night.
How does a rabbit express aggression?
When severely irritated, long-eared animals begin to behave quite aggressively. Moreover, reactions in animals may differ. Some individuals thump their hind legs or stomp, jump to the side or run away. In this case, there is no need to pursue them.
An extreme manifestation of aggression is when the animal refuses to be handled and bites.The best way to calm your cat down is to offer him a treat. If the wariness does not go away, it is better to leave your furry pet alone to give it time to calm down.
Communication with humans and other rabbits
Rabbits often react to situations or stimuli by tapping their hind legs, jumping, and making unusual sounds. It is important to correctly “read” your pet’s behavior in order to help him quickly get used to a new room or teach him how to communicate with other animals. You can eliminate aggression or irritation in different ways:
- place the pet in a quiet and calm place indoors;
- the construction of a spacious enclosure will allow the big-eared cat to walk freely at any time of the day;
- The best way to communicate is to lean towards the animal, rather than lifting it high to hold it in your arms.
If there are other rabbits in the apartment, it is important to ensure that the newcomer is not offended when meeting him. Also, sometimes the female knocks with her paws when she is placed in the male’s cage for mating. To correct the situation, it is recommended to postpone the mating procedure for several days (or another partner is selected for the female rabbit).
Decorative rabbits do not often show aggression or irritation. To prevent such behavior, you need to know the reasons that provoke such reactions. It is also important to be able to correctly eliminate manifestations of fear, aggression, and fright.
