Rabbits are prey animals. This means that their natural instinct is to be fearful and cautious. Of course, we all know that simply by the way they seem to scurry into their holes within nanoseconds. Unlike dogs or cats, they do not trust easily.

Therefore, when a rabbit decides that you are not a threat, it is a significant compliment. Also, a sign of a strong bond. According to veterinary insights and bunny behavior studies, there are seven distinct signs that your rabbit is able to trust you completely.

The ‘Flop’ and Vulnerable Sleeping Positions

A rabbit that feels safe will lie down. However, a rabbit that trusts you completely is going to ‘flop.’ This is a dramatic maneuver where a bunny falls suddenly on their side. It appears as if they have fainted. They may even fully stretch out with their belly exposed. It is a position that leaves them vulnerable and unable to escape quickly.

A sleeping bunny is a relaxed bunny, you see. So if they choose to nap beside you or in the middle of the room, they trust you implicitly to protect them.

Gentle ‘Tooth Purring’

Rabbits ‘purr’ when they are content and secure. Unlike cats, this sound is made by lightly grinding their teeth together. It can be felt as a gentle vibration when you are petting them.

This is often accompanied by relaxed body language, such as half-closed eyes or a softly resting head. If your bunny tooth-clicks while in your lap, it is a sign they are profoundly comfortable.

This can easily be compared to a puppy licking your face or a cat making biscuits on you. It’s one of the biggest signs of comfort that you can see on display from a rabbit.

Grooming You (Licking)

Like cats, grooming is a high-level social bonding behavior in grooming. If a rabbit licks your hand, arm, or clothes, they are treating you as part of their bonded group.

This behavior signifies that you are recognized as a trusted companion and loved. It is the rabbit equivalent of grooming you in order to keep you clean and happy.

You may have noticed cats trying to ‘groom’ their owners out of affection. The exact same thing can be said of bunnies. They want to treat you as one of their own.

The ‘Binky’ and Zoomies

A ‘binky’ is a sudden, joyous jump into the air. It is often accompanied by a twist or kick of the legs. It is a sign of extreme excitement, happiness, and comfort. If your rabbit performs binkies around you, it means they are feeling secure. Also, they are very emotionally satisfied in your presence.

Many people see their pet rabbits experiencing ‘zoomies.’ They are running around at lightning speed everywhere. This indicates a safe, stimulated, and joyful rabbit that feels secure enough to express energy.

Head Nudging and ‘Chinning’

Rabbits have scent glands under their chin.  These are used by them to mark their territory, a behavior known as ‘chinning.’ When your rabbit rubs their chin on you, they are marking you as ‘theirs.’ They are essentially saying that you ‘belong’ to them.

Furthermore, you may see a rabbit that nudges your hand with their head or pushes their head under your hand, requesting to be petted. This shows that they trust your touch and enjoy your affection.

Following You Around

A trusting rabbit will act like a ‘fluffy shadow.’ They will follow you from room to room or sit near you while you work or watch TV. This behavior is a sign of intense curiosity and companionship. They choose to spend time with you, instead of being wary and scurrying. This is a major shift from a fearful prey animal that would typically hide.

Once your rabbit begins to follow you around like a puppy or a cat, you know that the domestication process is complete. Therefore, you should try to give it as much space as possible and not ‘force’ anything on it.

Letting You Touch Their Head and Ears

The head and ear area is very sensitive for rabbits. They will rarely let a person they do not trust touch them there. When your rabbit lowers their head for you to stroke them, it is a sign of submission and deep trust.

This gesture means they trust you a lot. This is enough to put their guard down in a vulnerable spot.

Since rabbits are common prey out in the forests, they will always be on their guard to prevent themselves from being exposed to any danger.

Conclusion

Building this level of trust requires patience, as it can take months for a rabbit to fully feel secure, but seeing these signs is the ultimate reward for a patient bunny owner.

Don’t try to rush anything with a bunny. You should wait until the bunny is completely comfortable with you, and starts to come up to you more often. With time, it will definitely begin to warm up to you and will forge a closer bond.