Is Grooming Necessary for Bonding?

    As the bonding adventure continues, one looks for signs that indicate friendship or the possibility of it. One of those signs is grooming. So what happens if the buns don't groom each other? Or only one bun grooms? In some cases, mutual grooming doesn't happen. Some bunnies may not groom another bunny because they never learned to do it. Perhaps they were an isolated bun until maturity or they are not prone to groom themselves well so they don't think to groom others. Some buns are shy and won't groom another while humans are present. While bunnies are clean animals and, like cats, bathe frequently, some are more thorough and motivated than others. Grooming themselves is an innate skill but grooming another bunny is not. During bonding, it's easy to focus on grooming and become disheartened when it doesn't fully happen. However, there are equally important clues to look for that indicate friendship is blossoming: cheek snuggles, laying side-be-side, boops, nose-to-nose touching, repeated body touching, sharing hay or greens or the litterbox, mirroring behavior, slow movements and polite requests, purring, nose rooting into the other's fur, gentle nips, and body melting next to each other. In some cases, grooming comes after bunnies have been bonded a while. There are several factors that lead up to grooming and bunnies move at a slow pace. So be patient while waiting for grooming. The bigger displays of affection like grooming come after friendship and trust have been established.