Despite lacking the ability to communicate verbally, rabbits are actually rather emotionally intelligent animals. While it may not be something that bunny owners can easily recognize, these fascinating creatures can in fact apologize to each other and communicate feelings of remorse and guilt to their owners.
Rabbits cannot verbally tell you or another rabbit that they are sorry about something but they certainly feel this emotion. The way that they display it is through body language and when you observe a rabbit’s body language, you will quickly see how diverse and effective it is.
If you want to get to know your bun a little better, then learning about his body language and what he is trying to say is vital. So, let’s take a closer look.
How Does A Rabbit Apologize?
Rabbits are incredibly social animals and as such, they need ways to communicate both with one another and with the humans that take care of them. Along with this social nature, these animals are able to build up very strong bonds, and this means that those bonds may sometimes be tested.
Just like our relationships with other humans, bunnies may sometimes have a run-in with one another and this can result in something that resembles a falling out. In these instances, rabbits can be very stubborn when it comes to saying sorry, they are proud animals and it takes a lot for them to hold their paws up and admit they were in the wrong.
But it does happen, more often than you might think and rabbits will apologize to each other. Most commonly, rabbits will fall out over things such as who is the dominant bun or if there is an issue with territory. This is particularly prominent when introducing a new rabbit into an established home. But you might also notice that your rabbits fall out because they have been together for too long and just like, can get sick of the sight of one another!
If you notice that your rabbits are fighting, it is important to monitor the situation and intervene if things are particularly aggressive. There are some rabbit fall-outs that do not become aggressive and the rabbits should be left to agree to disagree. But at the first sign of violence, avoiding injury should be your main concern.
However, when these fallings-out occur, you may notice one or both bunnies trying to make amends. This is done in the form of using body language. After a fight, one rabbit may try to touch heads with its hutch-mate. They will likely rub their head on the other bunny and potentially the pair may rub noses. To the untrained eye, this may look as though the rabbits are about to gear up for another round.
Normally, when both rabbits respond in this way, it means that they are both ready to forgive and forget. They will likely continue with their day as if nothing happened. However, there may be times when one rabbit remains hostile. If you notice this, it is important to separate the rabbits and give them a little space. Later down the line, you can try to reunite them again and for the most part, this should be successful.
Do Rabbits Know When Their Owners Are Sad?
A lot of people may not realize it but rabbits are very emotionally intelligent animals that can easily pick up on the emotions of their owners. This is especially true if you have a very strong connection with your pet.
If you are happy and filled with joy and excitement, then your rabbit will likely mirror this and you’ll probably enjoy a lot of playtime and cuddles.
Conversely, if you are feeling very low or depressed, your rabbit will also sense these emotions. Owners who have a good bond with their bunny will likely notice that their rabbit will appear concerned and will try to show you this care through their body language.
How Do Rabbits Apologize To Humans?
Rabbits do form a strong bond with their owners but this doesn’t mean that they live to please you. Unlike some other pets, most notable dogs, who will do anything to get their human on side, a rabbit is a lot more complacent.
That being said, your bunny won’t be eager to cause a rift with you and so if she feels that she has upset you, then she may display the same sort of body language that they would with each other. If your rabbit begins nudging you with her head or rubbing her head against you, she may be trying to apologize.
It is important that, when this happens, you respond positively as this will let your pet know that there are no hard feelings.
How Do Rabbits Communicate With Each Other?
On the whole, rabbits will only communicate using body language. But there may be times when they favor verbal communication. This type of communication is normally limited to grunts which can be used during courtship or to show aggression.
The body language that rabbits use can look a little confusing to humans but it is a very effective and clear form of communication for our furry friends. Most often, a rabbit will use its ears to communicate. You may notice that their ears will often stand upright and the rabbit remains still, this is a way of letting other rabbits know that there may be a threat and how the bunny detects this by using its senses.
Other times, rabbits may use their feet to communicate. Usually, this will be through stamping or thumping. This is often coupled with the previous body language because, in the wild, rabbits spend a lot of time underground so thumping is a way to let others know that there is a threat.
Rabbits have a hierarchy and will often fight for dominance. The highest rabbits will be groomed by those lower down and to let them know that it is time for grooming, they will lie down. However, the submissive rabbits may also lie down before the more dominant buns and this demonstrates their submission.
How Do You Get A Rabbit To Trust You?
When you first adopt your bun, it is likely that they will be very timid and will need time to trust you. Once this trust has been established, you can develop a strong bond with your bunny. But it takes some patience. However, there are ways that you can spur this on and boost their trust.
- Using treats during training can help to condition your rabbit. When they interact with you in a positive manner, offer a small treat. They will soon learn which behaviors earn these rewards and will want to do them more often. This will also show them that you mean well.
- Approach your rabbit quietly, without raising your voice or using rapid or sudden movements. A rabbit is naturally always on guard and will be easily frightened so the more gentle you can be, the sooner your rabbit will begin to trust you.
- Handling your bunny in the right way is also important as they can easily be hurt when it is done wrong. Rabbits don’t like to be picked up so it is best to allow them to come to you. If they climb onto your lap, stroking them is the best way to demonstrate that you are not a threat.
- Spend time interacting with your rabbit. At first, this may be tricky if they are especially timid but be consistent and allow your rabbit to see that you mean no harm. Dedicating regular time to your bunny every day will allow a bond to naturally form.
