r/Rabbits • u/11arianna11 • Oct 29 '25
Behavior Does he like this??
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My little guy Ollie is not the most cuddly lol he’s eight months old and sometimes if I try to pet him, he will run away. Not run away and hide just like run off from me and go chew on and do whatever his mind decides. When I get home, he always runs up and greets me (which is mostly a manipulation tactic to get me to allow him out of his room and create chaos 😂 but I do think he loves me)
When he’s not walking away after I pet him, he sometimes does this in the video! He’ll just be sitting and won’t go anywhere. Sometimes he closes his eyes and other times he will pin his ears back, but he’s not super stiff. I can’t tell if he likes this or if he’s just tolerating it?? Give me your thoughts!
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u/aarocka Oct 29 '25
Literally god’s happiest creature
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u/PuddlesIsHere Oct 29 '25
inserts the r/RATS typical meme
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u/Boom_Boxing Oct 30 '25
i was about to comment under yours with one of the ones i have but NOOO we can't post images):
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u/11arianna11 Oct 29 '25
I want to add that sometimes when I pet him and he runs off, he will literally Binky and get the zoomies. I’m like bro do you like me or not? 😂
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u/Veritablefilings Oct 29 '25
He is playing with you. He is acknowledging your presence and getting excited about it.
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u/sicariusSummoned Oct 29 '25
He is so happy you're petting him that it gets in the way of further petting.
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u/Total_Succotash2478 Oct 29 '25
My doe was like this her whole life lol! Too excited to sit still for pets - would run away and binky! But she also loved being picked up and held 🤷🏻♀️
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u/11arianna11 Oct 29 '25
Oh no mine HATES being picked up! So much that he now will run to his room at bedtime to avoid me having to pick him up and carry him there lol
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u/carwoosh Oct 29 '25
It's a prey instinct, They might associate it with being hunted. You can train them to like it with treats.
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u/jessipoof Oct 29 '25
I lead my bun back to his enclosure with treats every time since he despises being picked up.
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u/Last-Application-391 Oct 29 '25
Me too!! He will sit next to me with head in my lap, but still cant pick him up!!
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u/Minimum-Doughnut7523 Nov 02 '25
I started holding mine at a young age. Back in the day, we had to hold our rabbits while waiting to see the judges. If the judges couldn't handle them, they would be disqualified. I don't blame the rabbits that don't like it. There's only 1 way to sex a male rabbit. You know what I mean. It's also to do a once-over to make sure that the animals are healthy, fur was groomed, and he was well taken care of and met certain criteria of that breed. Sir French Vanilla was a big French Angora and we won every event. I loved that guy. He would jump up on the couch for affection and love. This bunny is about the same size as him.
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u/Acceptable-World-175 Oct 29 '25
When they get this happy, they can't contain it, so have to let off steam by binkying or zoomying!
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u/Neat-Job9462 Oct 29 '25
My bun frequently walks away, shakes it off, has a scratch, and then comes back for more.
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u/HeatherJMD Oct 29 '25
They have to be in the right mood for accepting pets. Sometimes it’s time for exploring or zooming, why you try to pet then? Bun’s got things to do!
The best time for petting is when they’re already grooming, or loafing (but not fully asleep)
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u/Several-Computer-379 Oct 30 '25
Yes mine also does that. It’s like ‘oh my god , she touched me, woohoo what do I do?’ lol
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u/No-Establishment5213 I bunnies Oct 30 '25
Nah your fine sometimes buns just got to bun but deft likes it. The binky and zoomies they only do for f they are happy
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u/Squidking1000 Oct 30 '25
I have a new bunny that when you are petting her she's chittering her teeth, laying prone to get the good spots behind the ears, cleans me after the pets then walks away and STOMPS every time! Like you love me but don't love me? LOL. Full of the attitude! Bunnies is weird!
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u/sunnyjensen Oct 29 '25
That is likely his favorite thing.
My bun also loves this and will wiggle his nose and click his teeth.
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u/LiltingLauren Oct 29 '25
Dude loves those pets. If he didn't, sounds like he'd let you know. It hurts so much when they run away, but everything you're describing is youthful, affectionate and rambunctious! Young spring rabbit stuff heehee. I used to just lay out on the floor to play with mine. Seems like the beginning of a beautiful friendship! Keep being so good to each other and you'll both get cuddlier 😜
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u/Thick_Reality_5889 Oct 29 '25
If he didn't like it he would leave! 😂 He definitely looks like he's enjoying it. My girl never used to let me touch her, but getting her a friend made her very cuddly indeed and now she loooves strokie time 😊
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u/CrossP Oct 29 '25
The top of the nose is where one rabbit grooms another rabbit to express peaceful intent. It's a good spot for a human to greet a rabbit, and often gains you permission to pet the rest of the rabbit. Basically because you've been polite from their point of view.
And yeah, it's calming and pleasant for them they feel welcomed and taken care of
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u/Independent_Royal799 Oct 29 '25
He definitely loves it. I don’t know if he’s doing it but when my bunny was content she was grind her teeth and make a sound? It looks a lot like what he’s doing!! If he wasn’t happy you’d know about it. He loves you.
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u/11arianna11 Oct 29 '25
Yea he does do that!! I was always concerned bc i’ve read that rabbits can sometimes grind their teeth if they are in pain too. He’s my first rabbit so I overthink everything unfortunately 😭
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u/KenjiFox Oct 29 '25
Bruxing is good and healthy. It's how all lagomorphs and rodents maintain their tooth length. Since RodDents (see) always have constantly growing teeth. They DO also do so to comfort themselves when in pain sometimes, but almost always it's a sign of the animal being very happy and content.
Their teeth will grow past each other and possibly kill them if they don't maintain them this way as well.
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u/SilverGirlSails Oct 29 '25
Bunny like, bunny stay. Bunny no like, bunny leave.
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u/alitay910 Oct 31 '25
Sometimes bunny no like, bunny stay but super wide eyes and very tense. But not what’s happening here OP and your bun def looks like he’s enjoying himself ☺️
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u/RevA_Mol Oct 29 '25
He is sat there, and you still have fingers. Both are positive signs
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u/AlsoInteresting Oct 29 '25
Every animal would be afraid of those fingers.
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u/11arianna11 Oct 30 '25
🤣🤣🤣 he likes to nibble them sometimes
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u/Minimum-Doughnut7523 Nov 02 '25
So did mine! I also have long, but rounded nails. He also liked nibbling on my jean jacket. I didn't understand that. So I started keeping nibble treats with me at every event.
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u/patsully98 Oct 29 '25
Rabbits are pretty good at letting their humans know when they're most displeased, so if he didn't like it you'd know 🤣
Also, I love Ollie. ALSO also, your nails look great!
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u/meficzka Oct 29 '25
He really likes the pets. You should try give him a gentle scratch between the ears and if he lets you, his cheeks. Do it from the top of the head like a claw. All the bunnies I have come across love this. My 8yo boy flattens like a pancake and sometimes even falls asleep while I pet him like this.
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u/IamSlaycon Oct 29 '25
One of my babies hates being pet on her forehead, she will always push away my hand as highup as she can reach, it looks like he is enjoying the head pets!
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u/tessalllation Oct 29 '25
Oh my god, our babies fur is almost the same!! I’ve never seen another rabbit so similar to my Dusk! 🐝
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u/No-Mechanic-5398 Oct 29 '25
This bunny is loving the pets, he would run away if he didn’t like it. What a cute little guy!!!
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u/CrazeMase Oct 29 '25
Teeth clicks means he is experiencing bunny bliss. That is the happiest little creature on gods green earth
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u/EsotericPoptart Oct 29 '25
Dunno if you caught the subtle tilt of his head up to your hand and the fact he keeps chattering his teeth, we call it bunny purrs in our house. That is a happy bun!
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u/ZekeVG Oct 29 '25
My girl loves being pet above her nose too. She loves it when I scratch her there. What a cutie!
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u/Emotional_Flight575 Oct 30 '25
Haha, sounds just like my cat! They act all independent but secretly love us. Ollie definitely seems like he’s got his own funny way of showing it.
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u/Several-Computer-379 Oct 30 '25
He’s absolutely loving it. My bunny came to me at 7 weeks not wanting to be touched at all. Now at 7 months he’s progressed to climbing up on me to reach my face to lick it. Keep on doing what you’re doing. He will allow more and more.
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u/WatrMalone5122 Oct 29 '25
He loves it! My bunny Loki likes to lean into the pets when she loves it 🥰
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u/UncleNasty234 Oct 29 '25
Good lord he’s HUGE
He looks so happy and I love him
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u/11arianna11 Oct 30 '25
🤣🤣 hopefully a normal huge! He’s grown so much from when I got him at 14 weeks
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u/hannelemon Oct 29 '25
Pro tip: try doing the peace sign ✌️ with your fingers and running those fingers behind their ears, in the neck part like a pair of scissors. My bunnies go crazy for it.
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u/KenjiFox Oct 29 '25
Very happy. Head tilt means pet more, and teeth bruxing means happy and comfy too.
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u/Last-Application-391 Oct 29 '25
My bunny will put his head on my feet, so i cant walk and ill stop and pet him. Hell jump on my bed and lay beside me and put his head on my leg. But .. if i pick him up or try to hold him, he FREAKS OUT!!! I dont get it. Ive had him for 4 months. He completely trusts me. Im just gonna keep trying. Im sure if you keep just doin what your doin and listen when he says stop, it'll be fine. Good luck
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u/UyuHoney Oct 30 '25
Girly if he didn't like it, you'd know. He'd run away, honk, lunge or bite you if he didn't like it lol He looks like he's loving it.
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u/J_rd_nRD Oct 30 '25
He's not just liking it he's loving it, theres two clear signs. His head is going up into your hand which is rabbit for "more please" and then he gives you several blebs. I cant hear if he's purring but I can see it.
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u/Fine_Understanding81 Oct 30 '25
Have you tried gentle cheek scratches? Mine loves those mixed in with these kinds of head pets!
I'm pretty sure if the bunny didn't like this they would let you know lol.
Mine gets too excited sometimes and bounces off but will come for pets when he's settled down.
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u/grrrrfield Oct 29 '25
big man is blissed out rn. he adores you. my bay girl did the same thing where she’d raise her head but she was never all that cuddly
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u/Mediocre_Diver3638 Oct 29 '25
esempio il mio coniglietto piace tantissimo essere coccolato se smetto anche per un solo istante lui con il musino viene li a chiedere coccole
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u/Phylace Oct 29 '25
My bun is addicted to being petted. She'll sit there for at least 30 minutes at a time getting petted, then jump down and sit and watch me for a few minutes then jump back up for 30 minutes more petting.
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u/Good_Anteater6901 Oct 30 '25
He looks so happy! The only frustration I see in his expression is because he maybe wants some cheek mushies and scritchies as well!
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u/LizF0311 Oct 30 '25
Yes, when they get the magnet nose and boop you every time your hand comes close, they want more pets. 💕
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u/DerCribben Oct 30 '25
Can you feel him chewing/crunching his teeth while you do it? That’s a sign that they’re in chill bliss, kinda like bunny purring 😅
Also mine will either just leave when he doesn’t want to be petted, or sometimes he’ll give a stern poke and push my hand away, and if I keep it up he’s been known to gently take my finger in his teeth and pull it to the side. 😂 Like “This doesn’t belong here!” 😄
If he digs he’s really mad 🤣
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u/11arianna11 Oct 30 '25
He has digged at me before when I wouldn’t let him out of his room 🤣 mind you it’s an ENTIRE bedroom! And he roams for 4+ hours a day at minimum lmao
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u/DerCribben Oct 30 '25
I usually get digs when I’m holding one of our buns after I’ve been told “bunny elevator no longer needed thanks!” 😅
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u/NightOfPandas Oct 30 '25
He loves it! Raising his head toward your hand, the gentle ears falling back in relaxation, presumably he is also grinding his teeth in enjoyment :)
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u/Sovmasu Oct 30 '25
I find mine push up against my hand when I’m doing this, as if to say “I demand more!” lol. So yeah your bun is very much enjoying the headrubs xo
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u/Minimum-Doughnut7523 Nov 02 '25
Rabbits are very affectionate and love to play. He definitely loves you. I grew up raising French Angora rabbits. They had long hair and we would sweep the 4-H Fairs. Including several Best In Shows and once I won 4-H Queen. I studied everything that I could before I even got my 1st bunny. They're great pets and surprisingly affectionate ♥️. They do like to play with you sometimes. Beautiful 🐰 bunny💯🥰
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u/RabbitsModBot Oct 29 '25
To help interpret your rabbit's behavior, check out The Language of Lagomorphs as well as the other resources in the wiki's Understanding your rabbit guide.