Why Your Rabbit Likes to Lick You

It’s a pretty common occurrence, pet rabbits licking their people (especially on the face). But why? Is it some kind of natural instinct? There are several reasons why rabbits engage in this behavior, and understanding them can help you better connect with your pet.

The most common reason why rabbits lick their owners is to show affection. Licking is a natural grooming behavior for rabbits, and they often groom each other as a sign of affection. When your rabbit licks you, it’s a way of showing that they love and trust you. It’s also their way of reciprocating the care and attention you provide them with.

However, the instinctual social hierarchy of rabbits also comes into play. In the wild, rabbits live in groups and have a complex social structure. By grooming other rabbits, they establish their place in the group and show respect to those of higher rank. When your rabbit licks you, they may be trying to show that they see you as a member of their group and that they respect you.

Why rabbits lick people

Rabbits lick people as a sign of affection and trust, similar to how they groom each other in a social context. When your rabbit licks you, it’s often because they consider you a part of their social group and are demonstrating their bond with you. It’s a positive behavior indicating that your rabbit is comfortable and happy in your presence.

Some of the specific reasons rabbits lick people include:

• Grooming: Just as rabbits groom each other as a sign of fondness, your rabbit may be trying to groom you as well. This indicates that they trust and accept you as part of their family.
• Taste: Sometimes it’s as simple as the texture of your clothes or the residue of food on your fingers. Rabbits are curious by nature and might just be exploring how you taste.
• Reciprocal Grooming: In the rabbit world, grooming is often reciprocal. If you pet and groom your rabbit, they may lick you in return, as if saying, “Your turn!”
• Social Structure: Rabbits lick to acknowledge a leader or to show submission. If your rabbit licks you, they might view you as the boss, reinforcing your bond and hierarchical status in their eyes.
• Affection: At the heart of it, when your rabbit licks you, it’s a clear sign they care about you. They feel comfortable with you and consider you a close companion.

Why does your rabbit lick your face, specifically?

When your rabbit decides to show you affection by licking your face, consider yourself special! Rabbits generally groom each other around the forehead, eyes, and ears. So, when your bunny extends this grooming behavior to you, it’s a significant gesture of trust and love.

To them, you’re as much a part of their social group as another rabbit would be, and that’s why they may tend to your face as they would with their kin. It’s the ultimate form of rabbit love—your bunny is treating you like an esteemed rabbit family member, sharing their affection where it matters most: right on your face. Appreciate these moments of connection with your furry friend.

Does your rabbit hate you if they don’t lick you?

If your rabbit doesn’t lick you, it’s easy to worry that they might not be fond of you. However, every rabbit has their own unique way of expressing affection, so if your rabbit isn’t much of a licker, that doesn’t mean they don’t cherish your bond. Just as humans have different ways of expressing affection, so do rabbits.

My two rabbits show their affection and acceptance toward me in completely different ways. Ellie loves to lick me all the time, especially my face. She’s very open about showing affection. Teddy Bear, on the other hand, has never licked me, not even once. But I don’t doubt that he loves me, too. He’ll come and lay down near me when I’m working at my desk, and he loves to come greet me and play with toys together.

Sometimes rabbits are shy, and after some time they will start to lick and groom you more often. they may take a longer time to show their affection. It’s also possible your rabbit may express their affection differently. Instead of licking, they might nuzzle you with their nose or stay close to you while they’re relaxing. Observing your rabbit’s body language and daily habits will give you a clearer picture of their feelings towards you.

Other signs of affections to look for include:

• Climbing on you
• Following you around
• Circling your feet
• Relaxing and sleeping near you
• Asking for pets
• Grinding their teeth (called rabbit purring)
• Coming to greet you when you enter the room
• (And more)