A rabbit snoring is perfectly normal; however, it can be a sign of something serious if you notice:

Other studies also show similar results (eg in one study the rabbits averaged nearly 10 hours a day asleep). How do you know when a rabbit is sleeping?

Because rabbits are not diurnal like we humans are, they often have some active moments during the night. For some rabbits, this means that they loudly chew and shake the cage bars or angrily thumping for attention during certain points during the night. It would be much more convenient if a rabbit could learn to sleep through the night like humans do. When the sun is at a low angle, which happens at dawn and dusk, it's a lot easier to spot predators, which is why it's the perfect time for rabbits to get out of their burrows and hiding spots to search for food and socialize with other fellow rabbits. Rabbit Sleeping Patterns and Daily Routine In an article put out by the University of Miami, doctors warn that “if your rabbit stops eating or producing feces for 12 hours or more, you should consider the condition an emergency.” Take your rabbit to your vet right away. Dogs or cats may be able to skip a meal, but rabbits don’t do well with that. Dehydration Rabbit sleeping on the soil | image by 4028mdk09 via Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0 They may lay on their tummy or their side, and you’ll see their tail and hind legs are sprawled or stretched out behind them. The rabbit’s head will rest in front of them by their front limbs; however, your bun may also keep its head upright.

But how do you know when your bunny is sleeping? The scientists used sophisticated polygraphic recordings, but our pet bunnies aren’t wired up. It can be hard to tell if your rabbit is simply lying still, or actually asleep. Sleepwalking is most common in young rabbits, but it can occur at any age. Veterinarians believe it’s a way for the rabbit’s body to release excess energy it has gathered during the day. A sprawled-out bunny is a bunny that trusts you and feels safe and comfortable. They don’t have their limbs ready to jump up and run away. The Flopped Sleeping Position But how rabbits sleep is an evolutionary adaptation because they are prey animals. It’s “safer” for wild rabbits to forage for food, burrow, and socialize when it’s dawn and twilight.

It’s important to keep this in mind because as your rabbit gets used to you and the environment you’ve placed it in, your rabbit may appear to be sleeping more than usual because of its increased level of trust. If your rabbit Flops on the ground and falls into an atonic state of slumber, it’s a deep expression of trust. Your rabbit is content.

A flopped rabbit can be a little scary for a first time rabbit caretaker because it can appear that the rabbit has fallen over and died. But it is actually a very high compliment coming from a rabbit. A rabbit won’t flop over to go to sleep unless they feel completely comfortable in their environment. They are usually less responsive to external stimuli in this position and go into a deeper sleep. Many owners believe that their rabbit doesn’t sleep. Or if they do sleep, they’ve never witnessed it. Some rabbits always seem to be awake. They’re either running around and playing, or sitting still with their eyes open. Ears are down . When the rabbit is active, their ears are active, moving, twitching, and usually up and erect most of the time. That allows them to stay alert and one step ahead of the predators. So, when the ears are relaxed, not perked, are moving much less frequently, and are down, that usually means the pet is sleeping. Or, at the very least, they’re getting ready to take a long nap.We recommend feeding the rabbit one of the different types of hay listed above. Don’t give them any legume hay unless they are pregnant, nursing, or growing: it’s not good for a rabbit’s health as it contains a higher amount of protein and calcium. The same goes for the straw. Pellets are allowed, but only in small portions, making up around 5% of their daily diet. Green leafy foods (broccoli, parsley, asparagus, and lettuce, to name a few) are also important and should make up for around 10% of their total daily food intake. They’re nutrient-rich and contain water. Rabbits always need to be on alert for danger and predators, so they've evolved to do that even when they sleep. That translates into shorter and lighter sleep stages and the ability to wake up on a moment's notice if there's any danger in the immediate surroundings. You also need to think about your own health. If you have asthma or allergies, sleeping with a furry animal may not be a good idea!

A rabbit sleeping is the cutest thing ever, but it isn’t easy to tell when your rabbit is actually fast asleep.Unfortunately, rabbits don’t always sleep when we want them to. There is no way to override a rabbit’s natural biology and force them to sleep at night. They’ll wake and sleep when their body tells them to. However, here are some tips to help your rabbit make less noise at night.