Source
r/Rabbits•
Tango-Raptor

Problems With Bunny Mourning

SpoilerRIP

Today we had to put our eldest female rabbit Jellybean who was six put down because she was really sick. The problem is her bonded friend Cadbury our other female who is four and neutered is still alive. I read a few articles that you are supposed to let a rabbit spend time with the friend's corpse so we tried that and gave her a few minutes but she didn't seem interested. I'm worried we didn't give her enough time. We still have her corpse in the deep freezer for when we take her to the crematorium tomorrow afternoon. I heard rabbits can die from stress if this is done wrong and I don't know what to do. Please give me some advice so I don't lose both my bunnies.

Posted Jun 8, 2021, 4:59 AM UTC · edited

39
sneaky_dragon:rb::h::dsi::rob::h::ltb:•

If the remaining rabbit didn't have any interest in the body, it sounds like she already accepted that her partner was gone and has moved on.

Just spend some more social time with her now that she doesn't have a 24/7 companion. If she's still eating and drinking and hopping around, she should be okay.

Otherwise, you can consider trying to bond her again to another similar aged rabbit if she's taking it especially hard.

Sorry to hear of the loss. ♥️

5
Tango-RaptorOP:rh:•

Thank you for the advice

1
perfect_fifths•

This happened with my mini lop and dwarf. My dwarf was very sick and had to be put down down. His girlfriend Penny showed no interest in the body either. She is absolutely fine and ok. The vet told me sometimes rabbits know what is going on beforehand.

3
Tango-RaptorOP:rh:•

Thank you for this. I just got done a while ago giving her an hour with the body and other than a few sniffs didn't seem interested. Though she does go to their usual hang-out spot which is slightly worrying. But this does give me a great bit of hope. I can not thank you enough.

2
IGotBunsForDays•

I would suggest you just follow her lead. If she wants to hide and be left alone, let her. Just go to her every hour or so and give a treat and a quick pet, then leave her alone to grieve. If she wants to be around you all the time, give her lots of attention. She’ll be ok.

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Tango-RaptorOP:rh:•

Thanks, I'll do this. I really appreciate your input.

2
Kangaroo_Coins•

I highly doubt you will lose your other bunny. The other rabbit more than likely knew something was wrong and this kind of thing is expected. They may be a bit withdrawn for a while, Our first rabbit lost his girl of 6 years to liver failure. He seemed withdrawn and a little less like his self for a while but he was never overly stressed and became his old self again with a little time. Maybe some extra treats and some more attention when she feels like she wants to social again.

2
Tango-RaptorOP:rh:•

Thank you. Truly thank you. I'm so glad there are so many people like you helping us like this. It means more than I could ever repay. I'll make sure to remember this.

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[deleted]•

[removed]

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