Does your rabbit miss you? Many people wonder if their rabbit will miss them when they're gone. You may worry that your rabbit will be lonely. If you spend a lot of time with your rabbit, they will undoubtedly miss you when you're away, the same way you miss them.
Because rabbits are social animals, they will often get depressed if they are left alone for too long.
Your bunny should not forget you in a week. I have gone away several weeks this summer and I am always greeted when I get back by licks and cuddles with the bunnies. As long as he is in good hands, there is nothing to worry about. Sometimes a bunny may pout a little when you've been away.
Rabbits do appear to become attached to one person once a bond has formed. The formation of this bond takes time, patience, and no small amount of work. However, an attachment requires a bit more time. New rabbits can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to form an attachment to their owners.
But we all love our rabbits here, and we want to know if they can understand that we love them. Rabbits are social and intelligent creatures. They'll know that you love them; you just have to learn how to say “I love you!” in a way they'll understand.
5. Nudging, head butting or rubbing against you is rabbit body language for loving attention. 'Give them a stroke or cuddle, or what you know they enjoy', says Rosie. 'Rubbing their faces against you is a way of sharing their scent profile, and showing that you really are friends.
Anything longer than 24 hours is too long – and even that is pushing the solitude limits of rabbits. Rabbits are social creatures and require about as much, if not more, interaction and maintenance as dogs do and more than some cats need. Considering rabbits to be low-maintenance pets does them a grave disservice.
Rabbits can develop abnormal behaviour and may suffer if you leave them on their own and with nothing to do for long periods, so you should keep your rabbit with at least one other friendly rabbit.
Let your remaining rabbit say goodbye
During this time, you may notice the surviving rabbit sniffing, nudging, grooming or even hopping on their companion to try to wake them. Once they understand that their friend has died, they will usually move away from the body.
Does your rabbit miss you? Many people wonder if their rabbit will miss them when they're gone. You may worry that your rabbit will be lonely. If you spend a lot of time with your rabbit, they will undoubtedly miss you when you're away, the same way you miss them.
Rabbits are social animals, and, like us, can suffer from loneliness. Though there are exceptions, most rabbits want and need another rabbit for company. For this reason, we always recommend keeping rabbits in groups of two or more. Rabbit welfare organisations almost always recommend keeping two rabbits or more.
A lonely rabbit may become hyperactive and angry. They may display destructive behaviour such as gnawing at the carpets and other furniture. Lonely rabbits may pull at their fur and overeat.
Bunnies show affection by grooming, so if your rabbits gently nuzzle, lick, and perhaps even try to nibble you gently, they are showing you that they love and care for you. This is also a sign of submission. Sometimes your bunny will lick and nibble your clothing or a piece of nearby fabric instead of you.
Rabbits generally live for 5 to 8 years depending on their environment and breed, but they can live for as long as 12 years. If you decide to purchase a rabbit, make sure you are prepared to care for them that long.
Rabbits suffering from floppy rabbit syndrome have an appearance of generalized weakness, which varies in severity. The rabbit is likely to be unable to move around and will lie on the ground. Some are unable to lift their heads or even move their limbs.
Giving the survivor time with the body does not add to the risk. Typically a rabbit will grieve for the loss of a partner for several weeks. They will be quieter than usual and may seem moderately depressed.
Your options are either to have someone come to care for them in their own home, or to take them to a rabbit-boarding facility.
Expect your rabbit to be lonely.
If you only have one rabbit, you can give it some companionship, but it will still be lonely at night or when you are away at work. Sometimes a female rabbit will be fine on its own.
If your rabbit is normally awake and excited for play time in the evening, but all of a sudden they just want to sleep, then it may be time to bring them in for a check up. It could be that your rabbit is just having an off day, but lethargy in rabbits is one of the first signs that something is wrong.
Rabbits lick for affection, not for salt. Licking means “I love you, I trust you.” Lunging may occur when you reach into your rabbit's cage to clean, give food, or to take your rabbit out – a sign of disapproval.
Typically this isn't something you should worry about especially since it often doesn't hurt. Many times this is how your pet rabbit will show its love for you. When a rabbit nibbles or bites you softly it is often accompanied with licking, which is a sign of love.