Do Bunnies Go to Sleep?

When your pet rabbit catches some precious zzz's, you might not realize that he's sleeping. Wild and pet bunnies do go to sleep, as do cats, dogs and all mammals.

  1. All Rabbits Sleep

    • Bunnies of all ages sleep, whether they're sprightly young things, wise seniors or anywhere in between. They mostly sleep overnight, and also during the daytime. They're usually awake early in the morning and then again at nightfall. At these points of the day, rabbits are typically especially active and full of energy. They are crepuscular creatures.

    Sleeping Style

    • If it seems that your pet rabbit never gets any shut-eye, you just might not realize when he's dozing. Bunnies can sleep with peepers fully open, which can appear bizarre as well as puzzling. Thankfully, this sleeping style is no cause for alarm. Like people, rabbits can adopt many different manners of sleeping. For instance, your bunny might sprawl out on her back as she sleeps, while another might stay in an upright position. It isn't rare for bunnies to snuggle up to their favorite people to sleep. Always make sure that your rabbit has a clean and relaxing place to sleep. Good bedding goes a long way -- straw is one example. If you have any questions about bedding, consult a veterinarian.

    Amount of Sleep

    • Domestic rabbits often get similar amounts of sleep as humans -- around 8 hours a day. However, although humans usually sleep without interruption for hours on end, rabbit sleep is often broken up into many brief sessions. Their sleeping sessions typically last no longer than 25 minutes.

    Sleeping and Domestic and Wild Rabbits

    • Pet rabbits usually have more relaxed lives than their wild counterparts. As a result, they typically sleep longer. Captive bunnies often have less concerns than wild ones. They don't have to seek out sustenance or worry about predation -- not a bad deal at all.