Why Does My Rabbit Climb on Me? 6 Vet-Verified Reasons

When you choose a rabbit as a pet, you might be curious to know what types of behaviors they have; this can include how they show affection, what they like to do to have fun, if they get along with other pets, and more. Rabbits, similar to any other pet, have specific needs related to their health, their socialization, and their environment, and require a knowledgeable, dedicated, and experienced owner.

Usually, people have a few different and often false assumptions about rabbits as pets, like they always stay on the ground, they don’t like too much affection, they’re meant to live in the wild, and they mostly eat leaves. Well, this article will explore another question some may have!

Continue reading to learn about why rabbits might be climbing on their owners.

The 6 Possible Reasons Your Rabbit Climbs On You

1. For Affection or Attention

Against popular belief, most rabbits do enjoy affection from their owners, like other pets. One way they may ask for attention is by climbing up on you! Because rabbits don’t have a bark or meow that is typically used by dogs and cats to ask for a pet, rabbits may get close to you when they’re feeling particularly needy. You might notice that they start to groom you, which, for rabbits, can be shown by licking or giving you a slight nibble.

2. Out of Fear

Another reason your rabbit might be getting close to you and trying to climb you is that something is making them nervous or scared. Some rabbits may seek out their owners if they are nervous, not feeling well, or if something has made them feel unsafe. Usually, rabbits will be seen snuggling up to each other, but when they have a trusted owner, this behavior may be geared toward them instead.

3. Curiosity

Rabbits are similar to any other pet in the sense that they will get curious about their surroundings, whether it’s a new person or environment. Their environment does involve you as their owner, so your rabbit will get as close as possible to you to “sniff” you out (pun intended). Especially when your rabbit is a new pet, they may want to get to know you gradually and may want to climb up onto you to do this, when they feel safe enough to do so. Be aware that they might also try to nibble on your clothes or a hair tie!

4. Showing Dominance

Entire rabbits during the breeding season may want to show their dominance and claim their space. Adult bunnies will begin to show this behavior as they reach sexual maturity. This may include behaviors like nibbling or even biting, mounting, circling, and trying to climb up on you. Speak to your vet about getting your rabbit spayed or neutered in order to reduce or completely resolve some of these behaviors.

5. Breeding Season

Another similar behavior to other pets we see is that rabbits also go through a period of behavioral changes due to their breeding season after they have reached sexual maturity. This means that they may behave like other pets, such as dogs, trying to climb or hump your leg. Surprisingly, rabbits will also see your leg as an opportunity to express their natural breeding behaviors, and you may notice them trying to climb up it, or they may become more restless and territorial, nipping and chin marking. Some rabbits may show behaviors, such as biting, a natural behavior they’d use for mating in the wild. Again, speak to your vet about neutering or spaying your rabbit if these behaviors become excessive or problematic.

6. They Enjoy It!

Lastly, some rabbits may be climbing on you because they’re just in a playful mood and want to express it. This behavior may be seen more in younger rabbits, but this is similar to any younger pet with more energy. Rabbits can get hyper and feel like they need to blow off some steam by running around, hopping up on you, digging in your clothes, and then jumping off. Don’t be alarmed when your rabbit is running and jumping around, as long as they are supervised and not able to injure themselves, it’s a sign of a happy and healthy rabbit!

Conclusion

It may be a common misbelief that rabbits aren’t the most fun pets to have, but they are intelligent and playful little ones. They also enjoy affection from their owners and are not afraid to ask for it!

Although some behaviors may leave you asking questions, there’s generally no reason to worry for your furry bud when they make contact with you by climbing up on you. They are either looking to you for comfort, asking for some affection, or telling you they need something. Rabbits are communicative with their actions, so we hope this article will help you recognize some of them.

• Related Read: Why Do Rabbits Lick You? 10 Common Reasons

Featured Image Credit: Dean Clarke, Shutterstock