When you're grieving and missing your pet rabbit, it's a good time to pull out all the old photos of them to fill you up with their loving memory. Think about all the fun times you had together to help you heal and move forward from your loss. While you're grieving, try and remember the happy times.
To understand that a partner has died, they have to spend time with the body. If the death happened at a veterinary clinic, you must bring the body back and put it in the rabbits' home (their crate or pen) with the survivor.
You may notice your rabbit becoming more withdrawn after losing their companion, compared to how they behaved previously. Signs to look out for include: They're a bit more reserved, less confident, easily spooked or nervous. As they're a prey species, rabbits feel safer being with their own kind.
A bereaved rabbit will sometimes accept a new partner very quickly, even the day after its old partner has died in some cases. Others need a few weeks or even months to adjust and be ready to accept a newcomer.
As rabbits get sick and begin to fade, their vital signs will also change. Typically, this will result in a low body temperature, a weak pulse, and rapid breathing. The average rabbit body temperature should range from 101ºF – 103ºF, while the pulse should be 150-300 beats per minute.
You may worry that your rabbit will be lonely. If you spend a lot of time with your rabbit, they will undoubtedly miss you when you're away, the same way you miss them. The two of you have developed a bond and friendship that your pet rabbit also understands.
Seldom does a pair of rabbits die together. One of the rabbits will be left behind, lonely and missing the other (a price we all pay for our relationship with shorter-lived beings than ourselves). We each cope with grief in our own way, but there are a few things you can do to help your rabbit cope with his.
Have hiding places and toys ready to put in the area, but leave it empty for when you first introduce them. Once the rabbits are comfortable with the sight and smell of each other, they can be introduced for short periods in the neutral area.
Gastrointestinal Stasis Syndrome. Gastrointestinal (GI) stasis is the common term used to describe a syndrome of reduced or absent GI motility and its consequences in rabbits. It is by far one of the most common disorders seen in pet rabbits. Very often, it is caused by an inappropriate diet.
Because rabbits are social animals, they will often get depressed if they are left alone for too long.
Final Thoughts. Bunnies are social animals, and, with a few rare exceptions, they need rabbit company. However, if properly and carefully introduced, some rabbits can bond with other animals, such as cats and dogs. You can also keep a solo rabbit, as long as you provide several hours per day of social interaction.
Actually, rabbits can be a bit more sensitive about it. Every cat is different and so are rabbits. If the person that takes them treats them well and doesn't keep them caged up most of the time, they can usually adjust and learn to trust and love their new owner.
Rabbits are social animals and, as such, they can grieve intensely for a bonded companion. If at all possible, try to give your surviving rabbit time alone with their deceased companion so that they can begin to say goodbye.
Prevent Tularemia By Protecting Your Pet and Yourself
Never touch a dead rabbit or other dead wild animal you come across. Avoid, and keep your pet away from, any rabbit or other wild animal that appears sick. Never attempt to feed a rabbit or other wild animal.
Sitting On Your Lap
This is one of the ultimate expressions of trust. If your rabbit loves to sit down next to you, especially if it's grooming or licking you, too, then you'll know you're in. And if your pet climbs into your lap of its own accord? Then there's no denying that your rabbit loves and trusts you.
Start with about 30 minutes to see how the rabbits act together. As they show signs of being more comfortable, you can slowly increase the time they spend in the neutral space. This technique also works if you only have a few hours after work on weekdays to spend bonding them.
Barring the odd rogue rabbit that likes the lonely life, rabbits generally benefit from the company of other rabbits. They will often be far happier and content with a mate. Rabbits are not that unlike humans, they also get bored, even depressed, and when they do, they often act it out with destructive behaviour.
In general, rabbits will be happier in pairs than when they are single. A second rabbit can prevent depression, and even help to minimize boredom and troublemaking behaviors. However, enough social interaction from humans or other pets is also okay if getting a second rabbit is not possible.
A rabbit that has bonded with you will be relaxed and friendly in your company. A rabbit that's truly attached will be far more affectionate and actively seek you out. Rabbits do appear to become attached to one person once a bond has formed. The formation of this bond takes time, patience, and no small amount of work.
But we all love our rabbits here, and we want to know if they can understand that we love them. Rabbits are social and intelligent creatures. They'll know that you love them; you just have to learn how to say “I love you!” in a way they'll understand.
Rabbits can develop abnormal behaviour and may suffer if you leave them on their own and with nothing to do for long periods, so you should keep your rabbit with at least one other friendly rabbit.
If you do anything to upset your rabbit, like rearranging their cage or clipping their nails, they might refuse to interact with you for a little while. Usually they will let you know they are disappointed in you by purposefully sitting with their butt facing you and giving you the cold shoulder.