Grunting & Boxing While Playing?

[Mochi]

I know that grunting and boxing is normally aggressive “stay away” behavior. But Mochi does it while we’re playing with her ball and she’ll do little binkys at the same time. She’s done it after licking at me for a while too. It seems like she does it as another form of play and that she’s just super excited but all the stuff I’ve searched says it’s aggressive.

[Wick & Fable]

I read to different situations from yours, based on my experience with wick.

For the ball, I lean towards aggression/heightened arousal at the ball. Binkys are more accurately spurts of energy, which can come irritation and frustration. Wick very commonly binkys all over his grooming mat, and I know it’s definitely not out of joy. He hates it, and wants to express that by squashing it aggressively…

For the licking, I think of affectionate vocalizations after a period or during a period of relaxation!

I’m curious about other’s perspectives… If only rabbits could speak to us!

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Doodler]

I agree that certain binky’s can happen from irritation. Doodles has definitely done a few frustration binky’s. Normally they aren’t full on binky’s. They are normally a slight hop and head shaking maneuver. He does it often when he tries to sneak out of his room when it’s not play time and I stop him. Personally I would lean towards the boxing and growling not being a play behavior in this case.

How are you playing with the ball? I had a toy that had paper strips at the end and there was a time I thought Doodles was almost playing like a cat. I moved it and he jumped towards it. I decided to see what he’d do so I moved it back and forth. Once the growls happened I realized he was not playing. There was also a time I was using my hand to wipe up some hay and he did the same exact thing. From my research people feel this action can come across to them as a threatening maneuver and can cause the same type of reaction. I’m wondering if the ball playing is causing a similar reaction.

[DanaNM]

Bunston used to play with his ball like this. I do think it was playing based off his ear position and general demeanor. I would roll the ball to him, he would “attack” it, and then toss it back to me. He would do this over and over again, even though he could leave at any time. I kind felt like it was akin to a dog growling and shaking a toy. A dog growling and thrashing an object around are “aggressive”, but play is a way to hone behaviors that are used in other situations, so I think they are practicing their “attack” by playing with the ball in that way.

The digging/boxing after licking is interesting. Maybe she’s demanding more grooms from you?

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Mochi]

Yeah it kind of seemed to be a sort of fake attack play behavior as she always boxes really softly like she’s just waving her feet at me versus actually trying to box at me haha. Ik she really likes her ball cause she’ll actively chase and push it around usually when she’s is a super excited mood – lots of binkys and running in circles during this time lol. As far as it being after she’s been licking it’s normally been after we’ve been sitting for a while and she licks at me before deciding she’s done cuddling and wants to sprint around the house and play. I more included that cause it seems like it happens when she’s actively in a good mood.

[DanaNM]

Member Q8bunny’s bun Chewy has a small beach ball that he pushes and runs around with daily

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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