Nudging/Attention Seeking Confusion

[Haley]

Hi everyone! It’s my first post so I apologize in advanced for any mistakes I may make. 

I am the lucky bunny mom of Evan, he is about a year and a half old and fixed. He is well trained and fearless but can sometimes get sassy if he doesn’t get what he wants. When he was younger we used to play, I’d scrunch the fur on his butt and he’d sprint around the room and binky on back. Now that doesn’t seem to interest him, he likes to throw a toy now and then and chase a treat dispensing ball around but that’s about it. 

Lately he has often been asking for attention (jumping up on me, climbing on me, lots of nudging, getting up in my face) but not wanting to play or get pets. I can’t figure out what he wants from me and he seems to be getting a bit frustrated with me. 

Also he has this weird thing with licking my bedding, the floor, or any of his blankets, any idea what that’s about? Like he will make damp spots on my sheets from licking, it’s not a bad thing, I’m just curious if anyone knows the reason.

[Wick & Fable]

The behavior your describing can be calls for attention, but not necessarily for grooming. It could be “move out of the way” or “I want something please (food)”. It could also be general panic and trying to escape if you start petting him upon a nudge and that’s not what he wanted.

That licking behavior to my knowledge is normal. Dogs do that too. Typically it’s a good sign, though I don’t know if there’s a “too much” threshold. After wick realizes it’s not skin, he stops immediately.

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.

[Haley]

Yeah, I know he wants something, I just can’t figure out what it is because he will follow me around asking for it. It might be food, but he usually asks for food by standing in the kitchen doorway and staring at me or standing and staring at me, or even glaring sometimes so that makes me feel like it’s not about wanting more treats.

That’s another thing, as a baby he used to lick my skin and clothes a lot but now he prefers to lick the floor and bedding haha Again, not a bad thing but I miss it.

[Author]

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