Have you noticed your bunny acting strange when you’ve just returned from being away for a while? You may have considered that your bunny could be missing you. Of course, bunnies are highly sensitive and make loving companions but are bunnies capable of missing you? And how do bunnies act when they miss their owners?
Bunnies can miss their owners when their owners are away. Bunnies can be hard to read, they may not be very expressive, and it can be challenging to read their behavior. If your bunny misses you, they may jump up when they see you, run in circles, or even make noises as displays of their affection.
A big misconception about bunnies is that they aren’t capable of missing their owners. Bunnies have a range of emotions. At times, they may not display any signs of missing their owners but are still entirely capable of missing someone they are strongly bonded to.
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Does Your Bunny Miss You When You’re Away?
Each bunny is unique, and while some bunnies may have an outgoing personality, others may be shy and reserved. If you’ve had your bunny for a while, you’ll notice certain behaviors when feeding them, petting them, and playing with them.
One of the ways to determine if your bunny misses you while you’re away is to monitor how they respond when you return. For example, bunnies that have missed you may get excited, run in circles and jump up and down when you return.
Bunnies are social animals and love to cuddle. If you only have one bunny, they may feel lonely when you leave. Bunnies love routine, and anything that upsets their routine can make them unhappy; they may get unhappy when you go.
Bunnies recognize their owners by sound and smell. They can even learn to recognize the different emotional states of their owners. If you have a strong bond with your bunny, they will notice when you’re gone and start missing you.
How To Tell That Your Bunny Misses You?
There are a few signs to look out for to see if your bunny misses you. If your bunny seems to be acting strange and starts becoming very sleepy, uninterested in everyday activities, and not interacting with you as they usually would, it could be a sign that they are missing you.
An unhappy bunny or one that misses you may even ignore you or start acting destructively. Your bunny may start gnawing on its hutch or food bowl or even run away when you want to pet it.
Signs Of Affection From Your Bunny When They Have Missed You
Once you have been away from your bunny for a while, they may display the below forms of affection to let you know they have missed you.
- Licking you. Some bunnies may show that they have missed you by licking you. Licking is a grooming instinct and a display of affection by bunnies towards those they are bonded to. Bunnies also do this when they feel comfortable and safe.
- Nuzzling up to you. Another way bunnies show that they have missed you is by nuzzling up next to you. They may hop on your lap and give you a little nip with their teeth to show they love you. This is not a painful bite but more of a friendly grooming gesture.
- Lying next to you. If your bunny is happy to see you, it may be hopping around and find a comfortable spot next to you to just lie down and enjoy your company.
- Head butting and nudging you. Bunnies bonded to you will often gently nudge or head butt you playfully. This is another way your bunny displays their affection towards you. In response, you can give them a cuddle or pet them.
- Jumping. When you return, your bunny will be excited to see you and may start jumping and hopping around their hutch. This is to show you that they can’t wait to interact and spend time with you.
- Running in circles. Many bunnies will run in circles when they’re happy, especially when they are pleased to see you. This is a definite sign that they have missed you.
Behaviors Displayed By Bunnies That Miss You
While you are gone, your bunny may display destructive behaviors because they miss you. Not all bunnies are the same but be on the lookout for any change in their behaviors. Common behavioral changes include:
- Not grooming at all
- Fur pulling
- Thumping their feet
- Chewing on their cage
- Nipping
- Circling
- Pacing up and down their cage
- Over-grooming
How To Keep My Bunny Happy While I’m Away
If you’re away from your bunny for long periods, they may adapt to it. However, if they begin to display behaviors that show they miss you, they may feel lonely and sad, which should be avoided.
To keep your bunny happy while you’re away and create an environment that is stimulating and interesting for them by doing the following:
- Create a playhouse for your bunny. To keep your bunnies stimulated, you can create a playhouse for your bunnies to play in. For example, you can create elaborate tunnels for them to crawl through and cardboard boxes to play in.
- Set aside time daily for them to roam freely. Before you leave home or come back, set aside time each day to let your bunny hop freely around the house or in the garden. If your home is safe and there are no other pets that could pose a danger to your bunny, you could keep your bunny inside during the day while you are away.
- Buy your bunny exciting toys. Bunnies get bored, and to keep them occupied, you can purchase them toys to play with and chew on. For example, balls and cardboard boxes with hay inside are lots of fun for bunnies.
- Make sure your bunny gets exercise. Before you leave, play with your bunny so your bunny gets enough exercise. Your bunny is likely to get bored while you are away. Exercising your bunny before you leave will help you bond better and be beneficial for the bunny’s health.
- Ask friends to take care of your bunny. If your bunny gets very lonely and destructive while you’re away, ask a friend or family member to look after your bunny. That way, your bunny will be less likely to act out and feel happy to have company around.
- Consider getting another bunny. If you only have one bunny, you may want to consider getting another bunny. Bunnies love having company and will be less likely to be lonely if there is another bunny to keep them company.
- Give your bunny a piece of your clothing. Giving your bunny a piece of your clothing will allow your bunny to feel closer to you. Although your bunny may miss you, it will be comforting to your bunny to have a piece of your clothing to cuddle with.
Conclusion
When you’re away, your bunny will likely miss you. When your bunny misses you, it will be very affectionate towards you. It could even display destructive behaviors while you are away. The best way to help your bunny while you are away is to ensure they have an interactive, fun environment to play in. And that they get lots of quality time with you when you’re home.
