A squeak can be described as a high-pitched short sound or cry while if it is long, it will be referred to as a growl. Chirruping is making repeated squeaks. Finally, a long loud cry is often referred to as a scream. This pet can make all these sounds and they are closely related.
Why must you decipher the various vocal cues? Deciphering or decoding the various rabbit sounds is important as these animals use not only their sound but also their body language (gesture and movements) to pass messages to other rabbits, pets, or handlers.
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Why do rabbits squeak?
There are various reasons as to why this pet might squeak and to correctly interpret the message they are trying to send, you need to consider the circumstance under which it happened. Here are the common reasons:
Anxiety, fear or stress
It could be a sign that your furry friend is anxious, stressed, nervous and afraid. In such a case, the squeaks will have a higher pitch than grunts and may often be “accompanied by the bunny cowering into a corner or running around the house/cage.” [1] Your pet is trying to tell you ‘I am scared’, or ‘I am anxious’.
Make a gentle approach not to further scare this pet. Give it time to relax and only do something that will reassure him.
Many things can scare a bunny including noise, sight or scent of a predator, quick unpredictable movements, among other things.
He or she is happy and bonding.
“If you hear a rabbit make a shrill squeaking sound, there’s a good chance that he’s feeling happy about something” [2] or showing contentment. This could be triggered by your rabbit seeing her or his favorite treat and cannot help wait to munch it.
Being petted is another instance when the squeaking sound will mean that your furry friend is actually happy. However, before concluding it is happiness, the bunny should appear to be calm.
Also, if it happens to those being bonded, it could indicate they are growing a social bond [3] and nothing much to worry about.
Angry or getting aggressive
Sometimes, squeaking may be a sign of bunny aggression. For instance, it can happen if your furry critter feels trapped, you are trying to hold him when he wants to be let free, or you are petting him and he does not want. Maybe he or she wants to be left alone to go play.
He is trying to tell you, ‘back-off’ or ‘leave me alone’. Leave him alone as he may lunge, bite or nip you if you do not heed to the warning.
Pain and distress
Sometimes, this rabbit sound can happen due to pain or distress [4]. This can be caused by things such as gas, bloat, illnesses, physical trauma, and so on.
Conclusion
Depending on the exact context, you should either reassure your bunny if he is scared, leave him alone if he is being aggressive and give him the treat if that is what he wants.
Finally, you need to rule out that this squeaky sound is not due to upper respiratory problems including a partial obstruction.
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