Rabbits are affectionate animals, and they absolutely love spending time with their owner. However, rabbits show their love differently from dogs and cats, and if you want to win them over, you have to show them love on their terms. What are the signs that your rabbit loves you?
A rabbit will show you love by giving you licks and nibbles or by rubbing its chin against you. Other signs of love are coming from pets, sitting on your lap, or laying down close to you. If a rabbit loves you, it will binky, run around you in circles, click its teeth, or rub its nose against you.
If you take good care of your rabbit, clean its cage, and give it treats, the chances are that it loves you! Are you looking for signs indicating that your rabbit loves you? Read to find out!
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Does Your Rabbit Love You?
Because rabbits display different body language than other pets, you need to look out for the specific signs rabbits give when they’re happy to be around you!
Before you approach your rabbit, ensure they are relaxed, and never run and chase after them if they run away.
Always practice patience and pay attention when your rabbit becomes overwhelmed or afraid. Sometimes, it only takes a bit of understanding!
Let’s look at the signs your rabbit will display if it loves you:
1. Your Rabbit Loves You If You Receive Nibbles And Licks
Did you know that rabbits show affection by grooming each other? If your rabbit gently licks, nuzzles, or even tries to nibble you, it’s their way of showing you that they care for you greatly.
This could also be seen as a sign of submission and acknowledging that you are their owner and caretaker.
Sometimes, your bunny won’t lick or nibble you directly but on a piece of your clothing or a nearby piece of fabric. Your rabbit still cares for you, but instead, they don’t lower themselves to the act of grooming you.
It’s also possible that this behavior stems from confusion, where your rabbit isn’t entirely sure where you are, as rabbits are farsighted!
2. Chinning Is An Indication That Your Rabbit Loves You
Many feline actions are directly related to territorial patterns, and this is precisely the case with rabbits.
If your beloved bunny gently rubs their chin against you, they are not only showing you that they love and care for you but also marking their territory!
3. Your Rabbit Loves You If They Sit On Your Lap
If your rabbit sits on your lap, you can see this as the ultimate expression of trust!
Whether you place your rabbit in your lap or they do it out on their own, you can take this as a clear indication that you have won their love and trust.
4. If Your Rabbit Asks For Pets, You’re In!
Even if your rabbit never feels safe and comfortable enough to sit in your lap or to be held, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t like or love you.
Even if they don’t want you to cuddle or snuggle close to them, they may approach you for some slight pets or attention while you sit close to them.
If your rabbit does this, you can pet them on their own terms, and be sure to have a treat in your hand, as it will encourage this behavior even more!
5. Your Rabbit Loves You If They Lay Down Next To You
You can tell a lot by picking up on your rabbit’s body language. If your rabbit simply falls down and stretches out on the floor close to you, it shows you that they feel safe enough to relax around you.
If you notice your bunny on its side or back, with its legs stretched out and tummy exposed, it shows you that it can feel vulnerable around you.
So, if you see your bunny do this, they trust you with all their heart, which is a beautiful thing for any animal to do, and for an owner to witness!
6. Binkying Is A Clear Sign Of Love In Rabbits
Have you ever seen a rabbit binky? When a rabbit binkies, it will leap up in the air and flap its ears all over the place!
Binkies are a sure sign that your rabbit is happy, content, and not afraid to express it! If you like, you can even mimic this action and flip your hair around to show your rabbit that you’re happy too!
7. Running Around In Circles Is A Rabbit’s Way Of Showing Love
Sometimes, a rabbit will greet their owner by running around you or your feet in circles. This behavior might seem strange to you, especially if they binky around while running! However, this doesn’t mean they are just happy but ecstatic to see you.
However, it might also mean they want something from you, so you might want to get the treats ready to reward this behavior. A rabbit might not wag its tail to show you excitement, but instead, you get to laugh at them and know your bunny loves you and is excited to see you.
8. If A Rabbit Nudges You With Their Nose, They Love You Dearly
If your bunny massages your nudges you with their nose, it’s an apparent sign that they love you.
This is an affectionate behavior that rabbits mainly do with each other, and you should feel very special if you are on the receiving end of it!
This kind of gesture could also be your rabbit expressing its desire to receive your undivided love and attention, so if you have other pets, you can conclude that your bunny wants you all for itself!
9. Tooth Clicking Is A Rabbit’s Way Of Love
You may be familiar with a cat’s way of purring, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised to hear that rabbits can purr too! However, rabbits will purr by rubbing their teeth together, also known as tooth-clicking.
Tooth-clicking is a very soft sound, and it could be hard to hear if you’re not paying special attention to it.
If your rabbit does this, it means they are very happy around you. Rabbits are especially likely to click their teeth if you stroke them or pet them!
Conclusion
There you have it, all the signs you can expect to see if your beloved rabbit loves and cares for you! If you know you clean your rabbit’s cage regularly and feed it healthy food and treats with regular interaction, you’re already following the recipe to win your rabbit’s heart.
Remember, rabbits are highly affectionate animals, but only to those who are willing to pick up on all the signs and body language!
