June 26, 2025, 2:46 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Quiet and Subtle–Yet in Distress: Pain in Rabbits Often Goes Unnoticed. However, those who truly understand their familiar pet can detect early signs when something is amiss. This is because rabbits express pain not through loud cries but through subtle signals.
They crouch quietly in the corner, withdraw, or suddenly become aggressive–what may seem like behavioral issues to outsiders can be a silent cry for help: Pain in rabbits is hard to detect and often overlooked. They don’t express it loudly but through subtle signals: a changed face, withdrawn posture, sudden aggression. This article shows what owners need to watch for–and which scientific pain scales help recognize suffering in time.
Why Rabbits Hide Pain
Rabbits are prey animals–and as such, they rely on not showing weakness or illness. In the wild, a visibly sick animal would quickly become easy prey. This instinctive behavior has also been retained in domestic rabbits: Instead of whining or showing clear discomfort, rabbits withdraw, change their behavior minimally, or become unusually aggressive.
This stoic nature makes it so difficult to recognize pain in time. Only through careful observation and knowledge of subtle changes in facial expressions, posture, or behavior can pain be identified at all–a reason why experienced owners and specialized veterinarians are particularly important. Scientifically validated scales help interpret pain signs and enable targeted pain therapy.
How to Recognize Pain in a Rabbit’s Face
A changed facial expression can be a clear indication of pain–especially in severe cases. The so-called Rabbit Grimace Scale (RbtGS) was developed at Newcastle University under the direction of Dr. Matthew Leach. The goal: a reliable method for assessing pain in rabbits based on their facial expressions. The study was published in 2012 in the journal “PLOS ONE.”
The researchers identified five facial features (“action units”) in rabbits that become more pronounced in pain. These pain expression features and their changes were systematically documented and made objectively assessable for the first time. These features are:
- Eye narrowing: The eyelids visibly close, sometimes forming wrinkles around the eye.
- Cheek flattening: The cheeks lose their round shape, appearing sunken.
- Nose shape: The nostrils narrow from a U to a V shape, with the tip of the nose drooping.
- Whiskers: They stand away from the face, pointing stiffly downward.
- Ears: They fold more tightly, turn from front to back, and lie closer to the body.
Each of these units is rated on a three-point scale: 0 = not present, 1 = moderately present, 2 = clearly present. Short, spontaneous changes are deliberately excluded. The RbtGS is not intended as a sole instrument, as evaluating can be challenging, especially in animals with short or drooping ears. Therefore, it should always be used in conjunction with other validated pain indicators. 1
How to Recognize Pain in Body and Behavior
Not only the face but also body posture provides clues: In pain, the back is noticeably arched. The hind legs are drawn closer to the front paws, making the animal appear hunched. This was also examined more closely in 2022 at the University of Bristol, leading to the development of the Bristol Rabbit Pain Scale (BRPS). This holistic concept focuses on more parameters and should be combined with longer observation of the animal. About three minutes is a good guideline if you suspect the rabbit is in pain.
The Bristol Rabbit Pain Scale evaluates behavior in seven categories from 0 to 3 points:
- Behavior: If the rabbit hardly responds to environmental stimuli or shows no interest, the score increases.
- Movement: Active animals receive lower scores; complete lack of movement is rated with 3 points.
- Body posture: A hunched, tense body indicates severe pain.
- Ear movement: In pain, rabbits hardly move their ears or lay them flat.
- Eyes: Closed or tightly closed eyes are also warning signs.
- Grooming: A pain-free animal grooms itself regularly. If this activity is missing, pain may be the cause.
- Other pain signs: Such as pressing the belly to the ground or a tense posture. This should be conducted by a veterinarian! 2
You can find the entire pain scale in the following table:
How to correctly interpret the body language of rabbits
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Additional Indicators of Pain in Rabbits
Both tests already provide a very good overview of whether a rabbit is in pain. However, there are a few more points to consider:
Behavior as a Pain Indicator
Changed behavior is often the first sign: withdrawal, low activity, aggressive behavior, or isolation from the group are common indicators. Light sensitivity, unusual body postures, or noticeable movement patterns are also included. Aggression towards conspecifics or the owner can indicate chronic pain in the head area–such as due to dental or ear problems.
Appetite and Grooming as Pain Markers
Loss of appetite is also a warning sign–though not always present. Many rabbits continue to eat despite pain. More noticeable is often the absence of cecotropes, unkempt fur, or excessive licking. Particularly problematic: excessive licking or nibbling (self-mutilation) at a (painful) spot, often on the joints, sometimes resulting in hairless areas or even wounds.
Recognizing Hidden Pain–Diagnostics at the Veterinarian
Often, the cause remains undiscovered despite numerous vet visits. Therefore, it is essential: In case of unclear symptoms, consult an experienced small animal veterinarian, preferably one specializing in small animals. A thorough examination, including X-rays and blood tests, can be crucial. 3
Conclusion: Rabbits are masters at hiding pain. But those who know their expressions and behavior well can recognize suffering early–and treat it specifically. Good observation, well-founded pain scales, and experienced veterinarians are indispensable.
About the Author
Caring for animals is simply part of life for Louisa Stoeffler. Since early childhood, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, canaries, and budgerigars have accompanied her on her life journey. Since 2022, she has also been writing about it as a specialist editor at PETBOOK. She is particularly passionate about those animals and topics that often remain in the shadows of public attention–such as the proper care and maintenance of small animals. Her goal: to make complex connections understandable, strengthen animal welfare, and raise awareness among readers about the diversity of the animal world.