Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Getting Started

How to know if your rabbit loves you

Gabrielle LaFrank
By

Bonding with a pet who loves you is one of the joys of life, no matter the species. For some, though, it can be challenging to tell whether your pet is showing affection, especially for owners of animals whose body language isn’t as widely known. You’ll know a happy dog from its relaxed stance and wagging tail — but how do you decode a bunny’s body language?

If you’ve ever wondered, “How do rabbits show affection?” read on to find your answers. Like most small mammals commonly kept as pets, rabbits are able and often eager to bond with their people. In fact, rabbits are known to get bored and even depressed from a lack of social interaction (via Indiana House Rabbit Society), though this interaction will look a bit different than that of a cat or dog. You might be surprised to know what subtle behaviors are really signs of love.

Recommended Videos

Cuddling

Many rabbit owners ask themselves whether rabbits like to be cuddled, but the answer will vary from pet to pet. It will also depend on how you define cuddling! For most rabbits, it’s uncomfortable and distressing to feel restrained by hands or arms, even those of the people who feed them. “Feeling restrained is very challenging for a prey species whose main coping strategy is to run away from potential threats,” explains Rosie Bescoby, animal behaviorist. “That’s why our normal tactile signs of affection can sometimes backfire.”

If your rabbit somehow does enjoy being swaddled or snuggled, consider yourself lucky! When you hold him, make sure to support both his front and hindquarters to avoid injury or stress to either of you (but mostly the bunny). If your fuzzy friend doesn’t like to be cuddled, however, don’t fret. There are many other ways to bond with your animal, and several subtle ways bunnies can show you affection without a full-on hug.

a girl with long hair holds a white rabbit to her chest
cottonbro/Pexels

Binkying

If you’re really, truly blessed, you’ll get to witness a bunny binky. Binkying is a little flip or hop for joy in which the rabbit twists around in the air before landing. They might binky once while running or several times repeatedly. This is a sign of happiness and comfort — a rabbit won’t binky when they feel vulnerable. Some bunnies just don’t binky at all, which isn’t a sign of anything negative. Sometimes rabbits who roam free won’t feel energy bursts quite as significantly as one who’s been in their hutch all night.

Chinning

Here’s one behavior that may not look as obvious as the others. As if rabbits couldn’t get any cuter, they often place or rub their chin on others they love (via Kaytee). Think of it like a cat rubbing against your leg; it’s a way to claim you as theirs — by getting their scent on you, that is! Rabbits have scent glands located on their chin, but it’s totally OK if you’d rather just pretend they’re cuddling.

Licking

Nope, your rabbit isn’t licking you for the salt of your skin (though a salt and mineral lick will benefit both his diet and his teeth). Licking is a bunny’s way of grooming, whether they’re focused on themselves, another rabbit, or a person. Rabbits tend to groom only those they’re bonded with, so consider yourself honored if your pet starts to lick. Sometimes, licking will be just as much of a request as it is a sign of affection. Odds are, they’d like a little love back!

If your bunny really gets going, you might even get a little love nip, though he doesn’t intend to hurt you with a bite (via Rabbit Source). It’s just another — albeit painful — way of grooming you.

a brown and white rabbit stands in the grass with sunlight on its ears
Lucas/Pexels

Flopping

A rabbit who is flopped out on the ground is truly, wholly relaxed. While it may not be a display of affection, it certainly is a way to let you know that he feels safe and content around you (via PetPlan). In the wild, bunnies use running as their main form of defense, which means, as a prey species, they’re often on high alert. A rabbit who’s lying down isn’t poised to run, or even on the lookout for danger.

Still, don’t take advantage of your bunny’s relaxation. To encourage the trust required for your bunny to flop in your presence, don’t break his trance! If he’s not in the mood, your rabbit might even find petting to be a bother, so experts recommend just sitting near him to show him you’ll respect his space.

Do you have a happy bunny on your hands? From chinning to flopping, there are so many ways to tell. Watching for body language like this is a great way to gauge your relationship with your rabbit from moment to moment. Plus, how cute is it to know your bunny is happy and asking for some affection? As subtle as his signs may be, it’s gratifying to know that your rabbit feels safe enough with you to show some of these behaviors. That’s how you’ll know he loves you.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
When do kittens open their eyes? This is what happens if they do it too early
Find out all you should know about kittens opening their eyes
Two people holding a tiny gray and white kitten whose eyes haven't opened yet

Is there anything more adorable than a kitten whose eyes haven't opened yet? That's debatable. Although scientists have found that puppies are marginally cuter than kittens, cat people strongly disagree. Whether you're a dog person or a lifelong cat aficionado, there's something about tiny kittens that tugs at the heartstrings.

Have you ever wondered, "When do kittens open their eyes? What happens if they open their eyes too early?" You're not alone. We're here with the scoop on what veterinarians have to say about when kittens first look at the world, why you should never force a kitten to open their eyes too early, and what happens if your newborn kitten's eyes open ahead of schedule.

Read more
Off-leash dog training is easy if you follow these 5 tips
These tips will make this process smoother
Puppy learning to heel

We’re going out on a limb here, but it’s safe to say that if you’ve ever caught the look on a dog’s face when he’s running off leash at the dog park, you’ve caught a glimpse of what pure bliss looks like.

As a pet parent, it’s only natural to want to see that expression more often. And, without disparaging the leashed walk around the neighborhood, your dog would probably tell you he’d prefer being off leash more often. Is that possible, given local leash laws and all the mischief your untethered pet can get himself into? Perhaps, if he is well trained.

Read more
What you need to know about your cat’s swollen lip – what causes it and how to help it heal
These are the most likely causes and best treatment options for your cat's swollen lip
Woman petting cat

Your sweet furry friend is a wealth of enjoyment and entertainment — from funny sleeping positions to those precious purrs. Cat behavior can be somewhat of a mystery for even the most dedicated kitty lovers, though, and those feline feelings can lead to physical manifestations that puzzle us.

If you've ever looked at your cat and noticed a swelling on the upper or lower lip, here's what you need to know: This common occurrence isn't something to worry about, but it isn't something to ignore, either. While your vet checks your cat's health, you can read up on this confusing condition. Here's what causes a cat's swollen lip.

Read more