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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BEHAVIOR is my bun grooming me?

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    • clockworkbunny
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        My buns, for the most part are very well behaved, but I’ve noticed that when playing with them, my girl will scrape at my clothes with her claws and then tug with her teeth, and now the little dude is copying her.

         She has learned not to do it to skin, but I was wondering if this is a normal thing?

        I know that grooming usually involved little licks, is this some odd form of grooming, or an indication of aggression. I’m not sure if i should discourage it or not?

        thanks for your help

        x


      • litheandgraphic
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          Welcome!

          Sadly this doesn’t sound like grooming, which is normally soft licks to the skin, but more that they find your clothes interesting and fun to dig at. My Theodore does this to me when I’m wearing a dress or long jacket / sweater. It’s not normally an indication of aggression, more just curiosity and playfulness.


        • JackRabbit
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            With Kieko, that means “I’m here! Look at me! Worship me! Pet me!”


          • Bam
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              Haha, JR! With Bam it used to be the same thing. By now he seemed to have realized that we DO look at him, worship him, spoil him rotten and eagerly pet him, so he doesn’t have to resort to violence in order to get the attention he deserves. But man, has he bit holes in many clothes with people in them just because they didn’t pet him exactly when he had decided pets were due =) He’s even bit holes in people (my mother) when she had the NERVE to stop petting him to drink from a cup of stupid coffea.


            • Eepster
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                Porky works on clothing in a way that I’m convinced is grooming, but is occasionally painful and results in holes. It involves both licking and tooth action. I think he interprets clothing as matted fur and is trying to unmatt the “fur.” He will also chew at longer hair. He never uses teeth when grooming eyebrows though, since those are tangle free and just need a little smoothing with the tongue.


              • Deleted User
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                  When Henry licks me or my clothing, I take that as a thank you – he’s grooming me back. But Henry will dig, scratch at my sleeve and bite (nip) if I stop patting him before he’s ready for me to stop! I can tell the difference – OUCH!

                  Yep, I reckon your girl wants more pats. Good luck with that when your arm is ready to fall off….. Lol!


                • clockworkbunny
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                    thanks for all your help, I’ll be sure to give her a bit more attention xxx


                  • Megabunny
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                      Depends on Gus’ mood. Sometimes nothing, other times I have to fight to get my shirt back from him before I get another shirt with holes. He missed my shirt the other day, then I had what I consider a bunny hickey on my neck. Yes, OUCH! Most of the time he just licks me…usually on the face, with his big furry mouth. Love it!


                    • JackRabbit
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                        LOL Megabunny! I’m just picturing you playing tug-o-war with Gus. And a bunny hickey!!


                      • Flopsie
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                          I’m not sure what it’s called but I label this behavior as “digging” like your bun, Flopsie wil dog with her paws and then nip at the clothes and repeat. She can do this forever. I would be okay with this except she is non step and ends up consuming string, clothes, cloth etc. she will so this to clothes I wear but if my skin is exposed she can discriminate and lick me. It’s quite interesting that she can tell the difference everytime


                        • LBJ10
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                          16870 posts Send Private Message

                            Yes, it sounds attention-seeking to me.

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                        Forum BEHAVIOR is my bun grooming me?