question on human/rabbit “grooming”

[Dwarf Sparrow]

Just curious if anyone else’s bun does this-

Merida is very affectionate as far as bunny-kisses are concerned, and she usually readily accepts pets. Often she’ll lick one of my hands while I pet her with the other. Sometimes, though, she seems to want to lick me without getting any pets in return. Instead of accepting the pets or continuing to lick while I pet, she’ll hop away from me if I keep trying to return the favor.

I assume it’s some sort of “*I* don’t need to be cleaned, *you* do!” or… something…

Has anyone else experienced this with their bun, or have any theories?

[Rufus]

Rufus does that exact same thing so I definitely know what you mean. I thought I read something about them licking you all the time being a sign of submission so maybe that’s why they do it sometimes without asking in return? Rufus is pretty bossy though so I’m not sure, also sometime he flattens his head down to the ground and demands pats which I’m pretty sure is dominant behaviour.

My other thought sometimes is that he’s going “I’m busy right now but I do love you, I’ll come back when I have more time and we can have a proper snuggle”

[LBJ10]

I have only had Wooly groom me back and that was when I was brushing him. If I’m just petting him, he won’t do any licking. I suppose what you’re saying could be what is going on. Another suggestion is that she sees you as top bunny, perhaps?

[Dwarf Sparrow]

Lol it sounds like Merida and Rufus have very similar personalities- she also can’t seem to decide if she wants to be Top Bunny or not. Maybe it depends on the day, or the phase of the moon hahaha.
LBJ, sometimes I’ll give Merida a nice long pet session, and either I’ll stop (how dare I!) or she’ll sit up on her own and start grooming me. She *hates* to be brushed, though. Unless she’s shedding really bad, in which case she’ll melt for a little while, and then remember that she hates it lol.

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