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.
Licking: Licking is a way bunnies groom each other. If your bunny licks you, it's a sign of affection as you'll often see pairs of bunnies grooming each other this way. A bunny lick is a sign of a bond.
When a rabbit nibbles or bites you softly it is often accompanied with licking, which is a sign of love. He is trying to groom you and is simulating the grooming process (however, you have no fur to build up knots in so it results in just a little nibble of the skin).
If you spend the time to pet them and give them a nice massage, your rabbit will thank you by licking your hand or your leg. You may also receive a couple of light nips from your rabbit. This is especially likely if your rabbit is grooming you around the seams of your clothing.
Many bunnies enjoy cuddles and affection
Bunnies are super-soft, and many will love cuddling with you as much as you love cuddling with them. Once a bunny is comfortable in their new home, they may claim you as their own by rubbing their chin on you to mark their territory.
Sometimes bunnies will greet their owners by happily running around their feet in circles. This movement can also be combined with binkying. It means that they're happy, but it also might mean that they want something from you—it can also be a form of begging!
Staring is very common in rabbits. It's likely your rabbit stares at you out of love and happiness, but they could also be hungry, or confused. Rabbits also have a transparent eyelid that they use while they sleep, which may make it seem like they are staring.
In very simple terms, rabbits are happy when they are healthy, well cared for, and have a safe and enriching environment to live in. You will know if your rabbit is happy because they will: Lie down with a relaxed body. Lie down with a stretched body, still relaxed.
When your rabbits are happy, you might notice them do a little 'binky'. This is when they hop in the air, twist a little bit, then land back on the ground. Nose twitching. Happy and content rabbits will be constantly wiggling and twitching their noses, whether they're bouncing about or relaxing.
Rabbits grunt when they feel threatened or territorial. Thumping: Thumping is an attention getting behavior. Sometimes a rabbit will thump to warn others about something it has seen or heard, or to express fear or being upset. Nose Nudging: Nose nudging is another behavior that has several meanings.
Rabbits love nothing more than having the space to run around, play, dig and explore while enjoying a bit of 'me' time. Show your bunnies you love them by offering a secure environment where they can display these natural behaviours safely away from predators. A happy rabbit is a loved rabbit!
They are very social. Rabbits enjoy being around people and can usually recognise their owners by sight and sound.
Many rabbits also enjoy being pet on their cheeks. Similar to being pet on their backs, they may be startled at first when you go to pet their cheeks. As you are petting their forehead, occasionally give them a little rub on either cheek.
Rabbits love being stroked on their foreheads and backs. Always stroke in the direction of the hair, never against the hair (unless you are checking for skin problems). Most also like being stroked behind the ears.
Bunny Sweet Spots
The nose, face, cheeks, and ears seem like safe areas to try. Under the chin might or might not be a problem area, depending on the rabbit. The back is likely safe.
Rabbits don't like to be petted the same way that cats and dogs do. They hate when you touch their chin and can get offended if your hand approaches them directly in front of their nose (they have a blind spot). Always pet your rabbit with your hand coming from above their head.
Pulling at their fur and over-grooming - or not grooming at all. A change in feeding or toilet habits. Drinking a lot more. Repeated circling or pacing up and down.
You can try twitching your nose at your rabbit, to tell them that you are interested and curious about them. Or you can try giving your head a little shake or jumping up and down to mimic a binky and tell your rabbit that you're happy. You can lay down near your rabbit to let them know that you trust them.
Because rabbits are social animals, they will often get depressed if they are left alone for too long. A rabbit who is treated like a cage animal and left alone inside their enclosure day in and day out is very likely to become lonely and depressed.