A lot of people think that it’s because rabbits are inherently curious creatures, but the truth is that there’s a much deeper reason why your rabbit follows you everywhere.
Rabbits are curious animals by nature, so it is normal for them to follow their owners around. It does not mean that there is something wrong with them. However, if your rabbit follows you everywhere and he or she seems stressed even when at home then this could mean that there is a problem that needs attention from a veterinarian.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons behind why rabbits follow their owners and what you can do to encourage this behavior. So, keep reading to learn more!
Do rabbits follow their owners?
Rabbits are naturally curious creatures, so it is completely normal for them to want to explore their surroundings. They’ll often do this by following their owner around the house or garden, and they may even start chewing on things that they find interesting.
Of course, not all rabbits will follow their owners everywhere they go. Some rabbits are more skittish than others. This means that they are easily scared of loud noises or sudden movements and as such, you shouldn’t attempt to grab these rabbits as they can get stressed out very quickly.
If your rabbit follows you everywhere but doesn’t seem stressed when at home then this could be normal behavior for his/her species; however, if your rabbit appears nervous even in the comfort of its own living environment then this could indicate that something is wrong.
why does my rabbit follow me everywhere?
Rabbit is Afraid of its New Environment
If your rabbit stays in its cage most of the time and only comes out when you enter the room, there may be an underlying reason for this behavior.
It might be afraid of his environment because it has been afraid before or you may have introduced him or her to new surroundings that he or she finds scary.
You should get in touch with a veterinarian who would be able to give you advice on how to help your rabbit overcome its fears and relax around you.
Rabbit Trusts You over other Humans
Behavioral problems are common in rabbits that have been abused, so the owner has to carefully watch their behavior and their reaction. They should give them time to get used to the lack of abuse before trying some sort of training with them. A veterinarian can also help with these issues.
Rabbits do make good pets, but only if they are handled by people who know how to handle them gently and carefully when they need attention or anything else that involves interactions with the rabbit’s environment.
They will usually act docile if they remember that you helped them overcome an issue instead of taking advantage of it because there is too much stress involved for him or her. If your rabbit follows you everywhere, it means he or she trusts you enough to be close to you.
It may feel stressed because you are treating it different than before by becoming more aggressive with it which is not good for the relationship that you have built up together or your rabbit may simply be afraid of its environment which means that he or she does not trust himself or herself anymore around people for fear of being hurt again.
Rabbit loves you!
A rabbit can feel very attached to its owner because he or she tends to become more active around the person.
They will come out of their cages when you enter the room or they will follow you into other rooms while he or she is out of the cage. Your rabbit might even try to nestle in your lap if it’s allowed even though this act could be considered dangerous for both of you due to claws and teeth.
But if your rabbit only comes out of its cage when you are close by, then it means that he or she has developed a bond with you due to training efforts on your part over time which did not include abusing the animal in any way shape or form.
Your rabbit fancies you!
It has to be remembered that all rabbits are different, so you should not compare your rabbit to other people’s experiences with their pets. This means that what works for one animal may not work for another.
It can make training difficult if you are relying on someone else’s experiences when it comes to training or exercising your own pet. You have to take into account the personality of your rabbit and the level of trust that he or she has in his environment before trying anything new with him or her which could potentially scare him or her.
Rabbits are sensitive creatures who have a lot of intelligence hidden behind their cute exterior so they will try to find ways around whatever obstacles stand between them and something they want even if it means waiting years.
Rabbit is looking to play
You should try to make your rabbit as happy as possible because he or she will bond with you tighter and happier than before if you interact with him or her. You should also try not to make any sudden movements around the pet like loud noises or quick movements.
It might startle your rabbit if his or her owner suddenly moves their hands too fast for example, causing the animal to be wary of them again which could instigate a negative association between your hand and whatever it was that startled it in the first place over time even though you were only trying to help it during its time of need.
Rabbits do not trust easily so they may take weeks, months or years to feel at ease around new people but it depends on how much effort
Rabbit is Angry at you
Rabbits can be finicky and it can take a lot of effort and patience to train them. They may also hold grudges against you if you make any sudden moves or make loud noises around him or her which could scare your rabbit into not wanting anything to do with you again after the relationship had been broken down over time.
It is advised to always approach rabbits slowly as they can feel stressed by sudden movements as mentioned before as well as any sounds that are amplified because their environment might have partially deafened them for example by making unusual noises in order to get their attention even though this will usually only work once.
Rabbits are sensitive creatures so they should not be exposed to loud noise or forced into new situations.
Rabbit is excited
Rabbits excitement can take many forms. Some rabbits might become more active around you, other’s will lay still because they are so worried about their environment after being hurt again by people for example.
Rabbits can also jump up and down on their legs or run in circles before lying flat out on the floor when he or she is excited about something that is going to happen in his or her life soon.
This behavior can be a sign that your rabbit used to receive a lot of mental stimulation in the past but does not anymore if someone was just simply neglecting him or her which could have caused boredom due to a lack of activities being performed with him or her from time to time.
Rabbit is trying to beg for something!
If you rabbit want to be pet then he or she might try to get your attention by making little noises that are accompanied by moving his or her head back and forth in front of you.
If this does not work, then your rabbit may sit on its hind legs with his paws outstretched for example if your audience is giving him or her the cold shoulder.
You should always give your rabbit some quality time because it will make him or her feel more loved if they are getting attention from their owner after being ignored for a long period of time which can cause stress over time.
Rabbit wants food
If a rabbit is constantly wiggling his or her nose then he or she might want something to eat. You should always help your pet if it needs anything because its owner’s will usually end up being the first thing that pops into their mind as a source of nutrition which can cause malnutrition if there is not enough food for example.
Rabbits are sensitive creatures so you should always make sure they have what they need before asking them to do something from now on, otherwise it may become aggressive towards you over time after having been mistreated many times.
Should You Allow Your Rabbit to Follow You?
No, it is not wise to allow your bunny to follow you around the house because this could cause him or her stress if he or she gets too close to an area where you were standing before which might put him or her at risk of getting hurt if something was near your feet for example.
Your rabbit should be allowed to explore new areas on its own terms instead of being forced into the spotlight when it is trying to relax somewhere out of sight for instance.
You should also be careful about changing the furniture around in the room because rabbits are good at hiding and if their normal spot has been moved then they may become stressed which can lead to health problems.
Always follow your rabbit’s lead and remember that rabbits cannot understand English so they may not know what you want him or her to do if you are trying to get them to come out from underneath the bed for example.
Can You Stop Your Rabbit from Following You?
No, it is not possible to stop your rabbit from following you because rabbits are social animals. They love their owner’s attention after being ignored for a certain period of time which can cause them to feel lonely or sad if they do not have the company of another animal that they are comfortable with around them.
Rabbits should be let out of their cage for at least an hour every day so they can explore new areas around the house which will keep him or her active and feel fulfilled in life. Rabbits cannot understand verbal conversation and only respond to body language and physical contact therefore you should try to get your rabbit physically close to you as often as possible in order to show him or her that he or she is loved unconditionally. However, there are a few ways you can try to stop him:
- Cover your feet with socks or something else to try and block off the scent of you being there so he or she will not want to follow. This might work but it is not guaranteed if your rabbit is extremely advanced in age and has developed a strong bond with you that cannot be broken even by change.
- Try using a leash around his neck that is connected to an area nearby where he can sit and relax without having to walk around too much (just like when you take him outside for a walk).
- Use pheromones such as “Keep Off” sprays which can make him or her think twice about coming anywhere near those areas again until they eventually lose their novelty if used frequently enough during daily struggles between you two
- Fence off certain areas so he or she cannot get to them until you are willing to let him or her explore them first.
If they still follow then try using a long line instead of trying force him or her into doing something that might put his life at risk for example.
Dr. Elly Cameron is a veterinarian who has always loved animals. She grew up with cats and rabbits, and knew from a young age that she wanted to help animals in whatever way she could. After completing veterinary school in New Zealand, she and her husband moved to North Carolina in 2009. There, she worked as a small animal veterinarian, seeing cats, dogs, and of course her favorite patients – rabbits! In the last few years, Dr. Cameron has been working as a locum vet while she concentrates on raising her two young daughters. She also started writing this blog to help other rabbit lovers out there.