Rabbits lick objects and surfaces as a way of gathering information about their environment. They use their sense of smell to gather this information and often the area that they are smelling will be marked with a “scent” from the rabbit’s chin glands. Rabbits have scent glands on various parts of their anatomy but those most easily seen are located on either side of their chin.
When a rabbit licks an object, he or she is “scent marking” it. By doing this, the rabbit is leaving a message for other rabbits in the area that says “I was here” or “this is my territory”. The scent left by the rabbit also contains information about the rabbit’s mood, age, sex, and diet.
So if you see your rabbit licking dust, don’t be alarmed , he or she is just doing what comes naturally! And while you’re at it, take a moment to appreciate your bunny’s amazing sense of smell!
Why does my rabbit always sniff the ground?
Rabbits have a very strong sense of smell. When a rabbit is walking, he or she will frequently stop and sniff the ground. The reason for this is still unknown but it may be that they are gathering information about his or her environment. It may also be marking objects with their scent as a way of communicating with other rabbits.
Why does my rabbit lick me?
Rabbits may lick their human companions as a way of bonding or showing affection. Some rabbits may also lick people’s faces as a way of getting attention. In most cases, there is no real reason for this behavior and it is simply a natural behavior that is seen in many rabbit species.
How can I get my rabbit to stop licking me?
If your rabbit attempts to lick you, gently push him or her away with an open hand. If your rabbit continues to attempt to touch his or her mouth on you, you may choose to put a small kennel muzzle on him or her for a short period of time. This way, your rabbit will not be able to touch you with his or her mouth but he or she can still interact with you through the wire mesh muzzle.