Why Do Rabbits Sleep With Their Eyes Open? + 5 Tips

If you are a rabbit owner you may have noticed weird or unusual sleeping habits from your rabbit. But, have you wondered why do rabbits sleep with their eyes open?

In this article, we talk more about why your rabbit could be sleeping with its eyes open.

Continue reading to:

• Understand why do rabbits sleep with their eyes open
• Know how to tell when your rabbit is sleeping
• And so much more…

Why Do Rabbits Sleep With Their Eyes Open

Rabbits are able to sleep with their eyes open. It may seem weird or even scare you but that is normal behavior. Most rabbits will sleep with their eyes open and will start closing them once they familiarize themselves with their surroundings. Some will actually sleep with their eyes closed no matter their surrounding.

Here are some reasons why rabbits sleep with their eyes open:

• Discomfort – some rabbits will sleep with their eyes open if they do not find their surrounding comfortable enough. This could be their is either too warm or too cold or even they dislike their blanket.
• For protection – rabbits are naturally prey animals and they will sleep with their eyes open as a defense mechanism. Although their could be nothing to worry about in your house, your rabbit will do this if it is not feels unsafe and need to be on high alert in case of anything.
• Because of their third eyelid – naturally rabbits have a third eyelid called the nictating membrane. This eyelod helps your rabbit to remain vigilant incase it sees a threat. The eyelid is however cannot be seen by the human eye as it is transparent.

Although it is normal for rabbits to sleep with their eyes open, it could indicate that your rabbit feels unsafe and does not trust you and its surroundings enough to sleep with their eyes closed.

Also Read: Can Rabbits See Color? An Expert Opinion

How Do You Know When A Rabbit Is Sleeping

Knowing and understanding when your rabbit sleeps and leaving them to it can make them trust you and feel safer around you. Due to the fact that they can sleep with their eyes open, seeing them close their eyes doesn’t necessarily mean they are sleeping. This could be their way to express relaxation.

Whether their eyes are open or closed, here are some signs you could look out for to ascertain that your rabbit is indeed asleep:

• A still nose – naturally when they are up and about, rabbits will twitch their nose. When they fall asleep they will have their nose still to let it rest.
• Snoring – when rabbits are asleep they will let out soft and peaceful snores.
• Folded relaxed ears – if your rabbits ears are folded and lying against its head then your rabbit is asleep. More often than not rabbits will have their up and unfolded to help them listen for any danger.
• Slow breathing – if you get close enough to your rabbit when it is relaxing and fell slow steady breaths from it then they are sleeping. Their breathing rate will drop when your rabbit is fast asleep.
• Teeth chattering – this is a form of rabbit purring. If your rabbit chatters its teeth gently, it indicates that your rabbit is fast asleep and is actually enjoying its sleep.

Also if you are keen enough you will notice when your rabbit is about to sleep. This is because they will tend to move to a quieter and more private part of their surrounding.

See Also: Why Do Rabbits Have Big Ears? (Know It All)

How To Get Your Rabbit To Sleep With Closed Eyes

Although it is normal for your rabbit to sleep with its eyes open, it could also signal that your rabbit is feeling unsafe, stressed, or doesn’t trust you enough to close its eyes when it sleeps.

Here are a few tips on how to get your rabbit to sleep with closed eyes:

• Create a comfortable environment – ensure that the environment surrounding the rabbit is clean, warm and comfortable. It will be much better if the cage or hutch is placed i a nice and quiet place away from all the house noise or commotion.
• Engage and play with them frequently – doing this will let the rabbit bond with you. And when the rabbit is able to bond with you it will realise you are not a predator and will trust you and feel safer around you.
• Be patient with your rabbit – a rabbit will require a lot of bonding and assurance from you before it is able to trust and feel safe around you. Give it time to familiarize with the surrounding and with you as an individual.
• Provide enough space for them to play in – ensure that there is more thsn enough space for the rabbit to move and play in. This will assure them that they can trust you and reduce the sense of danger that a tiny space would bring.
• Keep it away from the other pets – if your rabbits environment is surrounded by other pets like dogs and cats automatically it will feel unsafe. A rabbit is a prey animal naturally and will feel threatened and unsafe in the presence of other animals.

Although it might scare you to see your bunny sleeping with their eyes open, them sleeping with their eyes closed could even take years. Understand that it is normal and be patient with your rabbit.

Also Read: Why Do Rabbits Eat Their Own Poop?

Do All Rabbits Sleep With Their Eyes Open

Some rabbits sleep with their eyes open while some do not. Most rabbits will sleep with their eyes open when they are new to a certain environment, feel unsafe, or their surrounding changes suddenly.

Rabbits sleeping with their eyes open is normal and it doesn’t mean that you need to constantly watch over them. They will definitely enjoy their sleep and catch some rest even with their eyes open.

When Do Rabbits Sleep

Most rabbits will sleep for 6-12 hours. Rabbits will not sleep for longer hours at a time so sometimes you may miss when your rabbit sleeps.

Although they will mostly be active at dusk or dawn they will sleep in small bits throughout the day and night.

A stressed and uncomfortable rabbit will be sleep deprived which could lead to it being sickly. Check regularly to ensure your rabbit gets some rest each day.

Do Rabbits Sleep During the Day?

Yes, rabbits will sleep during the day for a few hours. They are nocturnal animals that rest during the day and are active at night.

Since they are prey animals, maneuvering at dusk and at dawn is less likely to get affected/attacked.

There are many misconceptions about sleep, one of them being that rabbits sleep during the day. Rabbits are nocturnal animals, meaning they rest during the day and are active at night.

The misconception of rabbits sleeping can be attributed to similar habits to that of us humans. A rabbit’s sleep cycle is similar to a human’s, but they have periods of slow-wave sleep for a longer time period than humans do which is why more people notice them sleeping during the day more often than not.

Do Rabbits Sleep at Night?

Indeed, they do. But they don’t sleep at night always and not for long. Rabbits are crepuscular animals meaning they are most active at dusk and at dawn.

They will sleep at night only when they are fully fed. This will be mostly from midnight as long as everything is calm and they are feeling relaxed in their environment.

It is never that easy for rabbits as they are prey animals, they, therefore, have to stay on high alert each and every time. This can be frustrating for pet parents as they get acquainted with their new environment.

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Conclusion

The answer to the question, why do rabbits sleep with their eyes open is; they do this to ensure they are maintaining a high level of alertness especially if they find themselves in new surroundings. This behavior will improve over time once they are comfortable and are sure of no emence danger to them.

Although it is perfectly normal for rabbits to sleep with their eyes open, check and ensure that their environment is spacious enough and conducive for them. Also, interact and play with your rabbit frequently to form a bond and get it to trust you and feel safe around you.

Give your rabbit the best environment possible and be patient with it to feel comfortable and safe in your home.