Domestic rabbits have something of a reputation as being standoffish and aloof. Compared to dogs and even cats, both of which tend to wear their hearts on their sleeve by comparison, most folks find rabbits inscrutable.
Nonetheless, many owners report that they share a close bond with their furry, long-eared companions and that they show lots of affection. How can this be? Why such a disparity?
It’s because most folks don’t know how to interpret a rabbit’s actual signs of affection. If your rabbits like you, believe me, they’ll show plenty! But you’ve got to know what you’re looking for.
Keep reading, and I’ll tell you about 14 ways to know for sure that rabbits like you, even if it doesn’t seem obvious!
Nudging
Nudging is exactly what it sounds like. If a rabbit is near you, they will nudge you a little bit with a paw or sometimes their head. Most of the time, this means they want some attention or affection from you, and is generally interpreted as a positive signal.
However, it’s not always the most obvious, because a rabbit might call at you or bump you if it wants you to stop touching it or give it some space. As with so many signals that our animals give us, context is everything.
Bunting
Compared to nudging, bunting is an obvious show of affection! Bunting, sometimes called headbutting for reasons that will be obvious, is when a rabbit gives you a firm push or shove with its head, or rubs its head back and forth on you. This behavior is very similar to the way that cats rub on people they like.
If your rabbit is pressing its head into you and tracking it back and forth, you can rest assured that they really, really like you.
This is more commonly associated with male or buck rabbits, but careful observation and study have shown that the behavior is more or less evenly distributed between boys and girls (though some individuals show a marked tendency to bunt more or less for whatever reason).
If your rabbit is not keen to bunt, don’t worry; it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t like you! It’ll probably just use other methods of showing affection instead.
Scent Marking / “Chinning”
Another surefire indicator of affection is scent marking, also known as “chinning.” Rabbits, like many other mammals, use scent for all sorts of purposes, including appealing to mates, marking territory, and also marking rabbits and people that they like very much.
Rabbits have scent glands in their chins and that is why you’ll sometimes see them curiously rubbing and stroking their chin back and forth on objects and maybe even on you from time to time. That’s so they get plenty of their own special “fragrance” on you good and hard!
This is often mistaken for rabbits scratching an itch, but very rarely is that actually the case. If you keep an eye on your rabbit, you’ll probably notice them doing this on furniture and other things in their environment, and if you have a good relationship with it they will certainly do it to you in time.
And don’t fret over the implications. A rabbit isn’t doing it to establish dominance over you, that’s not what it means.
Grooming
Consistent, repeated grooming behavior is another certain indicator that you’re rabbits like you.
Lots of folks don’t know that rabbits spend an inordinate amount of time grooming themselves but also each other, and they spend more time on the rabbits that they are sweet on or enjoy the company of.
If your rabbits lick on you consistently, rub where they’ve licked, and then lick some more they are grooming you. It might be a little unnerving when your rabbit starts licking you, but I promise it is a compliment under the circumstances!
It does, however, mean that your rabbit might be feeling a little, ah, amorous, so if you’ve had any problems with hunching or other sexual frustration out of them, do keep that in mind and correct them if it’s required.
Petting
No, your rabbit isn’t going to pet you, but it might allow you to pet it. That’s the sign! They tend not to be the cuddle bugs that most people think they are, or rather that most people want them to be.
Rabbits, being prey animals that are very far down on the food chain, actually tend to get pretty anxious in close quarters when they’re clutched, grabbed, restrained, and lifted.
Accordingly, petting might stress out even the most mild-mannered and affectionate rabbit. If a rabbit puts up with prolonged petting, for any length of time, you can be sure that they really do like you.
Now, rabbits are all individuals in this regard. Some might be content to sit in your lap and be stroked for a long time. Others might like a little bit of physical affection in between bouts of play.
It all depends, but if your rabbit allows you to pet it under any conditions and doesn’t show signs of distress, that’s love right there!
Nibbling
All rabbits can be nippy under the right circumstances, but only those that love you will give you little bites. Nibbling, sometimes called nipping or love bites, is affectionate behavior, and make no mistake.
I know some folks who think it’s plainly bad behavior when a rabbit puts its teeth on you, but keep in mind that they use their teeth for lots of different things not just eating food or self-defense.
If a rabbit kneads you with a soft, gentle nip that’s more like a little pinch, or they do that sort of corn-on-the-cob maneuver where they nibble rapidly, that’s a sign of affection for sure.
However, do keep in mind that your rabbit might show its front teeth if it is stressed out, scared, or agitated. If it’s nibbling on you gently and not showing any indicator of distress, you can be sure that it’s a good thing.
Binkies
What in the world is a binky? What are binkies? If I was going to state it simply, I would say that a binky is what a rabbit does when it is jumping for joy. It’s not exactly a regular hop, and it’s not just a vertical leap.
Rabbits that are doing binkies jump and they sort of twist and rotate their back legs to one side or the other. If they do them repeatedly, it almost looks like they’re doing some kind of theatrical prancing.
This behavior is most common when a rabbit is excited and also happy to see you. This is stereotypical bunny behavior if you’ve been away from them for any length of time and then come home to greet them.
If they have room to run and jump, many will be doing binkies until they get it out of their system.
This is always a sight for sore eyes because you know that it is a certain display of love from your rabbit.
“Zoomies”
This next behavior is hardly unique to rabbits, and most mammals will engage in it when they are happy or excited. Running around in laps, circles, or randomly to and fro, colloquially called “the zoomies,” is something else your rabbits will do when they are overjoyed and excited.
If you come home from a long day away and your rabbits get to pop out of their cage, they’re going to run around all over the place in excitement.
Some folks cynically think that this is just rabbits letting out some excess energy, but I’ve seen bunches and bunches of rabbits over the years do the exact same thing even when they’ve had the run of the place while their owners are away.
Happy feet mean a rabbit is happy to see you!
Circling
Another curious but affectionate behavior that bunnies sometimes engage in, and another one that wouldn’t look out of place when a cat is doing it.
Rabbits have a strange tendency to circle around your feet when they like you. They don’t necessarily weave in and out between your legs like a cat is so prone to do (though arguably they are trying to kill you…), but they’ll definitely be doing little laps around you.
I’ve not been able to determine exactly why this is except that it seems to have some grounding in affection: both male and female rabbits engage in a sort of back-and-forth circling dance during courtship prior to mating, and it’s probably got something to do with that.
The good news is that this doesn’t necessarily indicate you’re a rabbit is about to try and “jump you” or hunch your leg; it seems they just really like you!
Following
Some rabbits turn into clingy little monsters when they like you. No matter the setting, no matter the environment, or how they are feeling otherwise, they’ll follow you everywhere if you let them.
I always get a kick out of this one when people tell me about it because it’s so doggone comical.
It sure sounds cute at first, but having a rabbit hot on your heels at all times means they will usually get in the way, and stopping to show them some love and scritches doesn’t necessarily dissuade them.
Don’t hold it against them, though: if your rabbit is following you everywhere they are certainly fond of you! Remember, they could be doing anything else, including sleeping or grooming, but they want to be with you instead.
Staying Nearby
Rabbits don’t necessarily have to follow you around to show affection. If you are near your rabbit, and they don’t run off to get into other things or engage in other activities, it is very likely an indicator of fondness.
Remember what I said above. Rabbits have a reputation for standoffishness or aloofness for a reason.
For most breeds, a little bit of interaction, a little bit of affection, or a little bit of attention goes a long way. But some rabbits, with some people they really like, just want to hang around if they can.
They might not get up and follow you if you leave the room, but don’t be the least bit surprised if your rabbit is waiting contentedly for you to come back.
Flopping Next to You
Another hilarious rabbit behavior, and one that strangely enough indicates adoration. Rabbits will sometimes flop down a lot like a dog will on a cool tile floor, legs splayed to front and back, head down, the whole bit.
I say it’s a bit strange because rabbits tend to stay in a posture of readiness. If they aren’t moving or sleeping they have their feet under them so they are ready to react. This is just the way they are as prey animals.
Flopping like this means a rabbit feels really safe, and specifically when it’s around one of their favorite humans, they do this almost as a way to relax.
It’s almost as if they know that you’ll take care of them and keep them safe, and they can finally just let it all hang out. That’s a sure sign of affection if there ever was one!
Honking
What many new rabbit owners discover soon enough after bringing their furry friends home is that rabbits make all kinds of strange sounds, including some you wouldn’t expect!
But when it comes to expressing love, one of the most unmistakable is honking. This is what it’s called when rabbits do it, but the sound is a lot closer to a pig’s oink. What it actually sounds like is if you tried to softly imitate a pig’s oink while holding your nose closed.
This adorable little grunt is one that rabbits usually only make when they are being affectionate, either with a person or with another rabbit. So if you hear it while you’re rabbit is around you or interacting with you, don’t be alarmed!
Purring
Yes, it’s absolutely true and yes, it is as adorable as you might be thinking: Rabbits pur! And they purr when they feel content, safe, and loved although they don’t do it nearly as often as cats do.
And since we’ve brought cats up again, I shall also point out that it’s not really purring even though it sounds that way.
A rabbit’s pur sounds a lot more like the soft running of a distant motor, and can be difficult to hear even when your rabbit is nearby if there are any other noises in the room.
Rabbits actually make the sound by clicking their teeth together gently. Don’t worry, it isn’t bad as long as the rabbit isn’t showing any other signs of distress and it isn’t particularly loud.
If it’s loud enough that you can easily hear it, it might mean that your rabbit is in pain! Check them over carefully and pay close attention to their mouth and teeth to be sure.
Tom has lived and worked on farms and homesteads from the Carolinas to Kentucky and beyond. He is passionate about helping people prepare for tough times by embracing lifestyles of self-sufficiency.