Rabbit circling me

[Helix5]

Hello. I have a 1.5 year old fixed mini rex named Helix. I have started noticing over this past month that my rabbit will run in circles around me. He gets free roam time for hours each day and He typically stays in a large carpeted room. I have started noticing, that if I leave the room to do school work and then come back in the room, my bunny will sprint over to me the moment I enter the room, and run in circles around me making a low grunting sound for about 5ish minutes. Then he will do bunny 500's and lots of binkying. After that, he runs around me a few more times and lays down to relax. Is this behavior normal for a bunny to circle you? I just want to make sure he's not stressed. Thanks!

 

[JBun]

Usually it's a mating thing with unaltered hormonal rabbits. But since yours is neutered, it just means he's really excited and happy to see you. Not all bunnies will react with such exuberance, but there's nothing bad or wrong about it and is actually kind of nice to know they like you so much.

 

[john.thorpe1952]

You should feel very proud and honoured that he thinks so much of you!As the other comments,it's a mating display to show off how fit and 'butch' he is to his partner.My male does it to his beloved mate,and though he's neuteredhe still likes to go through the motions!She seems to appreciate the display of affection anyway.The grunting is a pleasure communication and shows that he either thinks the world of you or thinks you're another rabbit-either way a great compliment!

 

[Helix5]

Thanks for the replies! I'm so glad to know it's actually a good thing!

 

[AVIE]

When the grunts are happy like tat isn't it called "oinking?"

 

[TreasuredFriend]

We have several sp/eutered indoor house companions who do this. One of our boys loved his rescue dad in particular and would hum and circle his feet most amorously. Our harlequin spayed female will do this to show affection also.

 

[Helix5]

Just an update I thought I'd put out there
He's been circling and grunting constantly now. The moment I even go near him he starts binkying, zooming in circles, and grunting! It's the sweetest thing! If I walk in the same room as him, he immediately runs to me and does this

 

[john.thorpe1952]

You are very lucky and don't ever take it for granted! He obviously loves you very much,and with this comes an obligation,which we all feel towards our animals,never to consciously let them down or betray that trust.Sometimes it's a burden when you're busy or not feeling great,and easy to forget how privileged we are to have gained the trust of another non-human sentient being to the point where they make it really obvious that they love and trust us.Enjoy every minute you spend with him and above all tell other non animal people about it whenever the opportunity arises- you will open up another world to them and perhaps they'll challenge their assumptions about how animals think and feel.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

Please treasure those endearing acts of affection by your bun.

Well-said, John Thorpe.

I was beyond shocked when visiting an agriculture tent at a fairgrounds in 2005. The woman in charge of the event said to me: "We don't believe they have emotions and feelings."

Voluntering at the shelter, and seeing rabbits that come our way from high-volume shelters, being involved in the capture of abandoned rabbits, rabbits certainly do have emotions and feelings.

"You will open up another world to them", so true John Thorpe. I miss all the bunnies we cared for who are now at the Rainbow Bridge. Several very affectionate lagomorphs in our RIP crew.

 

[john.thorpe1952]

Thanks for those kind words-I meant them very sincerely.It is beyond me how any thinking person can believe that any animal isn't capable of feeling in relation to its environment,love,fear,pleasure etc. I took part a while ago in an online event with animal communicator Susie Shiner,and she told me that Freya,my rabbit had said that if she had arms that could hug me ,she would and that she really loved me.Susie told me quite a few other things which rang true and which she couldn't have known otherwise.It's certainly food for thought.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

john.thorpe1952. Am looking forward to the contributions you can make, and how your experiences will help our buns live long and be happy. Healthy and Happy.