Increased Grooming Behavior

[Wick & Fable]

Recent changes:
• (6/27) Neutered; back to normal within 2 days
• (7/13) Hay proportions modified to be majority timothy, with orchard and oat mixed in only during the evening, due to the adoption of sassy eating habits from loving oat hay seeds so much; hay consumption has increased since (much larger poos, though damper at times due to water intake from heat most likely)
• (7/16) Put away X-pen from living room; still free-roam and food/water/litter in same location, just minus X-pen flooring/walls
• (7/16) Changed the dishes he’s served veggies and pellets in (so he can’t throw them around since there’s no X-pen floor beneath now); same quantity food provided at the same times

Firstly, it is increased licking of me, not of himself or objects; Wick has never licked/nibbled inanimate objects before. For the past 1.5-2 weeks, Wick has adopted a behavior that is, I suppose flattering, but since it is a behavior change, I want to run it by some fellow rabbit owners!

Before this change, Wick would lick me, what I would have constituted as a lot, but in comparison to now, it was seldom. The licking would come for needing food, wanting attention/pets, or as a thank-you after I pet him/cuddle.

Now, Wick will randomly come up to me, with no gesture from me whatsoever, and constantly lick whatever skin surface is near. In the past with his “I want attention/food” licks, I could just distract him by petting him and he’d stop. Now, I’ll go to pet him but his head will just twist and turn so he can lick the hand that’s trying to pet his head. It doesn’t stop until I let him get his fill of grooming.

My initial thoughts on causes have been:
1) Tasting something on me: I haven’t changed the lotion I used, and the licking is not exclusive to my hands, where food would touch. It’s whatever body part I decide to present to him and put up with the licking on. I’ve thought about perhaps sweat from the hotter weather, but we’re indoors with AC and I don’t really sweat much.
2) Dental issues: Calling the vet today to set an appointment, but the first (last) time Wick had dental issues, he showed it by drinking very excessively, having very very small poops, leaving pee spots everywhere, and being reluctant to flop. Aside from a slight increase in water consumption, everything else is the exact opposite (very large poos, litter box adherence, flopping for days).
3) Hunger: Wick weighs a bit more than he did at his neuter, but does not show signs of hunger, aside from the usual “I constantly want fruit”. His feeding schedule and amount has not changed.
4) Asking me for food: He usually nips slightly harder at the feet when he wants food, as he associates feet with food (feet walk into the kitchen = magic food appears in bowl) and becomes very annoying in general with this nips and tugs at clothes. This is different than that.

On one hand, I do want to just conclude he’s just being very loving, but I find it odd that it literally comes out of nowhere and I can’t stop him from grooming me at all. This happens about 2 times per hour this past weekend. I’m pretty keen on how Wick communicates various things, so I am puzzled….

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Q8bunny]

Please don’t worry. This is totally normal. He’s just grooming you. You guys are bonded now, and grooming you triggers endorphins and other warm fuzzy feelings in his tiny body, the same as when you groom him. Rabbits who can’t groom a friend find acceptable alternatives, which is why so many of our buns lick fabrics, toys, us, etc.

[Wick & Fable]

Thanks Q8 I’m pretty paranoid about Wick and how he is, so I’m glad it’s normal!!

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Bam]

Completely agree with Q8. My Bam licks his crinkly tunnel when he doesn’t have access to a human. I feel so sorry for him when he does that!

Bunnies can actually nip quite hard if they want you to pet them. Bam will bite my mother’s foot if she stops petting him too soon for his liking.

[Author]

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