Petting your furry pal is one of the absolute joys of having a bunny. However, you want the experience to be enjoyable for both you and your pet rabbit. Knowing how to pet rabbits is critical to creating and maintaining the bond between you and your bun. While it may seem to be a no-brainer, rabbits are sensitive creatures and there are rules for petting them. Here we will walk you through the dos and don’ts of rabbit petting. This way your rabbit will always look forward to cuddles with you!
Do rabbits like to be petted?
Since rabbits tend to be nervous nellies, it may seem that they are not keen on attempts to pet them. However, this is not true. Rabbits actually love being petted. It is one of the best ways to bond with them. When you and your bunny become fast friends, he will seek you out. He will crave your bonding time together.
How should I set the scene to pet my rabbit?
You may have seen videos online with people surprising their cats and dogs and its loads of fun. However, it’s a totally different scenario with your rabbit. Always remember that your rabbit is a prey animal and as such, they do not like to be surprised. They are genetically predisposed to be always on the alert for an attack.
- So, if you are going to pet your rabbit, the first thing you need to do is allow them to see your approach. This way they know that you are heading their way. If you enter the room and your rabbit is not looking your way, we recommend that you start talking to her or make a light clicking noise with your tongue. This will catch your rabbit’s attention.
- Secondly, you should get down to your rabbit’s level. Rabbits may feel intimidated by your tall imposing figure and may be tempted to dart away from you. If you get down on your hands and knees, your presence will not seem so scary to them. We encourage you to use this approach if you get a new bunny, if your rabbit has a naturally nervous disposition or if your rabbit is not quite used to be being touched and picked up as yet.
- To ensure that your rabbit is comfortable and ready to be petted, you should sit and let your rabbit come to you. The key is to remain patient and never rush your bunny by pulling him toward you or grabbing him. This can scare your bunny and as you know rabbits can literally be scared to death. Also, if you grab your rabbit and handle him roughly, he may injure himself trying to get away from you. Rabbits have a very delicate skeletal structure and can be injured quite easily. While you sit on the floor you can talk to your rabbit in soft encouraging tones. If your rabbit is new to his environment, he may decide to explore instead of coming to you. Don’t take it personally. Rabbits love to get the lay of the land so to speak. So, keep trying, it may take a few days, but eventually, your rabbit will come to you.
- You can encourage your rabbit to come to you, by offering your hand. If your rabbit is ready to engage, he will come to you and sniff your hand. If you and your bun are just getting to know each other, you may want to offer a treat like a small piece of fruit or vegetable to encourage him to come to you. Be sure to allow your rabbit to see your hand coming so that he is not startled. Additionally, we do not recommend any sudden movements.
How should I pet my rabbit?
Once, your rabbit seems to be comfortable and at ease, you can pet her. However here are some of the ground rules to follow to ensure that this bonding exercise is gratifying for you and your bunny.
Be Sure To Pet Your Rabbit In The Right Spots
Your rabbit prefers to be touched in specific areas. Those areas are as follows:
- Back
- Cheeks
- Shoulders
- Head
You may wonder why your bunny prefers to be touched in these areas. These are areas that rabbits are already used to being touched. When rabbits groom each other, those are the spots that they work on. Your bunny is sure to enjoy this bonding session if you stick to their favorite touchpoints.
Of course, there are areas that you should stay clear of when you pet your bunny. Rabbits generally do not like to be touched in these parts of their body:
- Chin
- Paws
- Stomach
- Butt/tail
If you try to pet a rabbit’s chin, you may be bitten, and touching their paws and stomach make them feel extremely vulnerable. Rabbits are very sensitive about their rear ends as well.
Learn How To Pick Up Your Rabbit Properly
Everyone likes to pet their rabbit in their lap and enjoy some cuddle time. Naturally, this requires you to pick up your rabbit from off the floor. Rabbits generally have to get used to their owners picking them off the floor. You should always kneel and support your rabbit’s torso and hind legs. Then gently lift your bunny and cradle her against your body. Also, remember to keep a firm but gentle grip.
Know When To Stop
Yes, there is such a thing as too much fun and you need to learn to read your rabbit’s moods. If your rabbit is no longer having fun, there is no need to prolong the interaction. You can continue to pet your bunny if she is purring. Also, soft clicking noises are an indication that she is enjoying your company and wants you to continue to pet her. However, if your rabbit starts displaying the following behaviors, it may be time to wrap up the bonding session.
- Boxing stance – If you see your bunny go up on her hind legs and put her front paws up as if she is about to punch you, your rabbit no longer wants you to pet her. This stance is defensive in nature unless there is something up high catching her attention and she wants to get a better look. In any event, we suggest that you give your bunny some space.
- Grunts, growls, and squeals – If you hear your rabbit making any of these noises, put him down straight away. It usually means that your bunny is scared or in some sort of discomfort.
- Running away – if your rabbit tries to run away from you or jump out of your lap, he has probably had enough. He may be tired and needs a time out or something may have startled him and now he is on high alert. If this happens, simply take him back to his cage where he can regroup. You can always engage him at another point in time.
What type of touch is safe for my rabbit?
While some pets love their fur to be ruffled and they like some roughhousing, rabbits are extremely different creatures. They certainly bring out our softer sides. You should always be gentle with your bunny. Keep a light touch. Scratching and tousling are not appropriate for rabbits and your bunny will let you know. He will shy away from your touch or run away from you. Always take your cues from your rabbit, they will never steer you wrong.
Who likes petting more young rabbits or older rabbits?
In our opinion, older bunnies love their cuddle session a lot more than younger bunnies do. Younger rabbits are full of energy and love to frolic about. They can be quite entertaining with all their flips and races around the room. They enjoy obstacle courses and their toys more than anything. However, they rarely like to sit still in your lap to be petted. You may get a few minutes to pet and cuddle them and after that, they make scurry off. Never force them to stay in your lap, let them go when they want to. Any attempt to prolong the bonding activity may make them nervous and skittish. They may hurt themselves trying to get away.
On the other hand, older rabbits are much more mellow and love quiet time in your lap. They may seek you out when you get home from school or work. They lean into your touch more than younger rabbits will. A rabbit that is two years and older will enjoy more relaxed petting.
So now that you know how to pet your rabbit the right way, you can expect your relationship with your bunny to continue to grow and blossom. The notion of petting a rabbit may seem simple. However, as we have shown, technique is quite important. The key to happy healthy rabbits is learning what works and what does not. As you continue to explore the wonderful world of bunnies with us, we hope you are enjoying it as much as we are!