If you’re like most pet owners, you might wonder why your rabbit follows you around. Does it mean they’re trying to tell you something or just want to show affection?
Rabbits are highly social animals and love to interact with their owners. They’ll follow you everywhere if they feel excited about something.
1. They’re curious
If you’re new to the rabbit-adoption scene, or if you just adopted a bunny recently, you might be wondering why your rabbit follows you around the house. Fortunately, there’s a reason your rabbit wants to follow you: they are curious and love exploring their surroundings.
A curious bunny will often be on tiptoe and scooting around when they’re trying to find something they’ve never seen before. This is usually because they’re curious about the object of interest and want to sniff it out.
This is a very natural behavior for rabbits, because they’re farsighted and have to use their noses to see things close-up. They’re also very social animals and like to share their space with their rabbit friends.
Rabbits are also very sensitive to smells and may become anxious if they detect a strong scent that they don’t recognise. This is why it’s important to keep your rabbit’s hutch clean and fresh, so that they can sniff around safely.
Another sign that your rabbit is curious is if they’re hopping around behind you and checking out an area that they don’t usually visit. This can be particularly common in rooms where it’s usually dark or closed off, such as a bathroom.
Curious rabbits can be quite nervous and might not trust you at first. If this is the case, take your time getting to know them and spend more time laying down on the floor with them, so that they can get used to you and build up their confidence.
Once they feel comfortable with you, you can start letting your rabbit hop onto your lap and stroke their fur, which will help them to become more affectionate. You can also try rewarding them with tasty fresh greens if they want to hop in your lap, and they’ll soon realise that it’s not as scary as they thought.
2. They’re courting
Rabbits are hormone driven, and they’re constantly on the hunt for a mate. This is a natural part of their lives, and they will often follow you everywhere in the hopes that it will lead to a successful mating.
They will also demonstrate some pretty nifty courting behaviors, like hopping circles around you or making excited grunting or honking noises. This is their “courtship dance,” and it’s a great way to tell that your rabbit is ready to mate.
One of the most interesting courting behaviors is a male rabbit mounting his female companion. This is a rare occurrence, and only happens when the bunnies are sexually mature.
During this time, they will walk about 15 feet behind their partner as they engage in a mating ritual. The mating is a quick affair, with the male rabbit straddling his partner and holding her neck. It’s a bit of a surprise that the elation of mating actually lasts for long enough to produce an ovulation, but it does.
Another unusual mating rite of passage is the ability to jump into the air with their hind legs in the same fashion that humans can do. This is a pretty amazing feat for rabbits, and it’s certainly the most impressive thing they do.
It’s also a good sign that they are feeling secure in their new home. It can take some time to get a new pet used to their surroundings, so make sure you are patient as they adjust.
The most important thing to remember is that you should never force your bunny to do something they don’t want to do. There are several different ways to train your rabbit, and some methods may be more effective than others. A simple training trick is to use your rabbit’s name as a command. It’s a great training tool and may be all you need to get your bunny on the right track.
3. They’re lonely
A lonely rabbit is probably not getting enough attention and companionship, which can lead to many behavioral issues. They may start pacing back and forth, chewing on furniture, or eating less and more, all of which can be very detrimental to their health.
Lonely rabbits are also prone to anxiety and depression, which can cause them to feel fearful and insecure. This can lead to protective behavior, aggression, and a host of other unhealthy behaviors.
When a bunny is feeling sad it will often take on a hunched, closed-off posture, with its head down and eyes nearly shut. This is a sign of a serious issue and needs to be addressed before it gets worse.
Another symptom of loneliness is that they become lethargic, which can be a sign that your rabbit is not getting enough exercise or is in pain. They can also lose their appetite and stop eating altogether.
Rabbits need to eat a variety of nutritious foods to stay healthy. These include hay, vegetables, and pellets.
If you have a lonely rabbit, make sure to offer them free-choice hay and fresh veggies every day. This will help them to maintain a healthy weight and prevent them from becoming sick or dehydrated.
It is a good idea to spray the carpet if your pet is digging on it as this can discourage them from doing it again.
Binkying is a cute behavior that some pet rabbits exhibit when they are feeling lonely. However, it should not be confused with a bite, which is a different behavior.
If your pet rabbit is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, it is best to visit the vet for an exam and possible treatment. This will help to determine the underlying cause of their behavior and allow you to take steps to correct it.
4. They’re hungry
If your rabbit follows you around the house with their nose pressed against your leg, it’s probably because they want you to give them a treat. If you ignore them, they may nip at your paws or even ram their head against your leg in the hopes of getting your attention.
It is a good idea to feed your rabbit a variety of healthy foods, including leafy vegetables and a well-balanced pellet feed. They also need a daily dose of sunlight, as it helps them make vitamin D from their food.
Rabbits have a strong appetite, and they need to be fed often. If you don’t have time to prepare a full meal, try putting out small bowls of hay for them to chomp on throughout the day.
Another way to keep your bunny happy is to give them fresh fruits and vegetables, such as grapes. These are packed with vitamins and nutrients, including thiamin, niacin, iron, vitamin C, riboflavin, calcium, potassium and folic acid.
These items can help satisfy your rabbit’s natural hunger and satiate their thirst, too. They’re also a good source of fibre, protein and antioxidants.
However, be sure to rotate these fresh foods so your rabbit gets a variety of nutrients. Be careful with some fruits and veggies, such as iceberg lettuce, as they contain lactucarium which can make your rabbit very unwell.
It’s also a good idea to mix in a few bits of a fruity rabbit pellet, as it will appeal to their sense of smell and taste. If you aren’t sure what to feed your rabbit, speak with a veterinarian to find out what will work best for them.
5. They’re bored
Rabbits are very curious animals, and they often want to investigate every possible area of their surroundings. They do this because they have a great sense of smell, so they always want to know what’s going on around them.
They may also be bored if they aren’t getting enough exercise or mental stimulation from their owners. This can lead to boredom and stress, so it’s important to make sure they have access to the right amount of stimulation.
One way to tell if your rabbit is bored is to watch their body language. Some rabbits will flop out next to your feet whenever they stop walking or sitting down, inviting you to pet them and play with them.
Another sign that your bunny is bored is if they’re constantly following you in an attempt to find out what you are doing. This can be a normal sign of boredom, but it is not something to ignore if it happens frequently and they’re showing other signs of stress such as jumping away from you or running off in search of somewhere to hide.
You might also notice that they are nudging you forcefully or nipping at your foot if you don’t respond to them quickly enough. This is a sign that they are trying to get your attention and are bossy or just want you to pet them.
If your rabbit is constantly following you, it might be time to think about trying to stop them. Some people use a simple training technique such as saying “no” or thumping their foot to curb the behavior. It’s a good idea to speak to your vet about this, however, so they can recommend the best course of action.