Petting question

[Sam and Lady's Human]

 I read on another site how giving pets on the nose and behind the ears is to a bunny like saying hello and goodbye if I was a bunny. I don’t know how true that is, but I’ve been trying to give her more pets to help her get comfortable with me. Tonight I walked in and talked to her, asked if she wanted pets and put my hand in front (but kinda to the side) of her. She reached her nose out a little, so I took that as yes and stroked her nose and behind the ears for a little bit. She stayed there (and her eyes closed a little, she seemed to puddle but that could totally be in my head), didn’t try to run or anything, does that mean she liked it or was she too scared to move? Would she have “told” me if she didn’t want it? Am I overthinking this?? Heh. I’ve been reading and reading, but I know you all are veterans at this, and there isn’t a ton out there as a rabbit as a member of the family and not just a boring pet in a cage. 

Sorry for so many questions! I feel like I’m flooding the board with my inexperience LOL.

 

[peppypoo]

Don’t worry about the questions!

If a rabbit doesn’t want to be touched, they will run away or otherwise make their displeasure very obvious…seems like your little bunny is enjoying it considering she relaxed and closed her eyes a bit. If you’re concerned, watch her eyes…they will be very wide, and she will breathe very quickly/heavily if she is scared or under stress. Keep scratching behind the neck, on the nose, or along the jawlines and you might just notice your bunny grind her teeth softly, which means she is very much enjoying her massage!

[Sam and Lady's Human]

Great! No wide eyes or tense body, she seemed to like it
Being a bunny mama is pretty rewarding

[brittbritt]

Gabby does this quite often and will tooth purr sometimes. I think your baby was really enjoying the attention.

[BinkyBunny]

Petting on the nose-toward the ears and behind the ears is when my bunnies say “Stay here and give me some more”. It could be a way to say hello but they never want to say goodbye when I pet them there. LOL.

[Monkeybun]

When I try to pet Monkey, she definitely says Good bye. By foot flicking and growling at me No pets for Monkey! lol

[Joyfull_music]

When Momo is in her pen, she will get my attention when I walk by. She then sticks her nose through the bars for me to pet her. Sometimes she has even given me kisses for doing so.

I found that she also really loves it when I take the base of each ear in my thumb and forefinger and gently massage in a circular motion.

[Cuckoo]

hmm, my bunny would let me pet the nose and behind the ears. but whenever i go to his jaw line, he would back off and run away

he doesn’t like it? or was he scared?

[Sam and Lady's Human]

How funny Monkey! She’s got a ‘tude!

Cuckoo, this is the website, like I said I don’t know how much is true, but it’s an interesting read!
http://language.rabbitspeak.com/rabbittalk_intro.html
I think there’s only a small area under the jaw that they like, I haven’t tried with my bun yet.

[Elrohwen]

Basically, if a bunny stays still and accepts the pets, then you’re good! They will leave if they don’t want to be touched. Also, bunnies all like to be petted in different ways. Hannah loves for me to touch her head and I can smush her fur around, play with her ears, touch her cheeks, etc and she loves it all. However, the second I touch her back she seems a little nervous and I have to start petting her head again. Otto doesn’t like pets in general and will hop away, or shove my hand away from himself with his nose (he’s even put his teeth on me, without biting down, to tell me to get lost). When he does let me pet him, it’s almost always on his back and he gets fussy if I touch his head. They’re all unique!

I’ve found that neither of my bunnies (or most others I’ve met) like to be touched under the chin, on the tummy, on the feet, or on the tail. I’m sure there are bunnies that don’t mind it, but those are the general zones to avoid unless you know your bunny enjoys it.

[Emmie]

Yeah, Zelda does not like being petted at all! She’ll nudge me when I’m sitting at the table, I’ll go to pet her and she’ll run off. I’m not sure if she’s still nervous (she’s had a dramatic week with two trips to the vets and stuff) or it’s just not her thing. However if she’s lying down and I lie beside her, she’ll let me pet her head and give me little toothpurrs. I guess she just likes to explore when she’s awake!

[peppypoo]

Some rabbits will take all the petting they can get and beg you for more (Peppy), and others are a little more skittish and take time to come around and let you touch them (Remi). I don’t think Remi will ever be quite the snuggle bunny that Peppy is, but over the few months we’ve had him, he’s already become a lot more open to being petted. Just really depends on the personality!

[Cuckoo]

the website you sent is very interesting to read. I am gonna go try out on my bun tonight

[LBJ10]

Leopold does something that is sort of funny. He likes it when I scratch his forehead by running my fingernails in one direction (with the direction of his fur) right between his eyes. I will stop and hold my fingers down to his nose. He will sniff them and then lower his forehead to meet my fingertips as if he’s saying “keep going”.

[Cuckoo]

so today, followng that website you give me. After thoroughly reading it. I tried on my DAPI.. he does like the chin rub, guess before I am just not rubbing at the right place….
then he started pooping, and mark me…..

[Author]

Messages