Rabbits are innately social creatures and thrive with more than one of their kind. Because of this, many rabbit owners tend to get at least two or, if you are feeling particularly generous, three or four! Some of those rabbits may even grow up together and form a close-knit bond with each other, creating many benefits!

However, when one of those rabbits passes away, it can cause heartbreaking issues for the other rabbit(s) you have. Still, one might question if rabbits understand death. If so, how can they cope with it, and what are the options for helping them overcome their grief?

Rabbits may understand death to a degree, but it is unknown if they fully understand it. Still, rabbits may grieve their companions similarly to ours, such as not leaving that other rabbit’s side or changing their behavior, such as losing appetite, withdrawing from others, or even seeking more attention from their owners or other companions.

During these times, we must allow the grief to happen but also make sure we are giving those rabbits extra attention to ensure they are being taken care of emotionally.

In this article, we will discuss how you can do that and what ways rabbits recognize death. This is the best guide you can get, so please read the information thoroughly!

 

Do Rabbits Recognize Death?

 

Yes, rabbits probably recognize death when it occurs. We can come to this conclusion because the rabbits who remain alive start behaving differently. However, since each rabbit has a different personality, some will take it harder than others. Still, not many studies have been shown on this subject, but some tell-tale ways show you rabbits can, indeed, recognize death:

 

1. Their Physical Appearance & Behavior Changes

 

Your rabbit’s physical appearance might change. For example, your little furry friend might stop grooming themselves or even groom themselves way more often than normal.

You also might notice their ears tucked back more as a sign to show they are unhappy. On top of this, your rabbit might be hunching their posture, look lethargic, or their appetite might change.

Rabbits going through a mourning phase might sleep and rest more often rather than be active. Their overall behavior will also seem less curious and energetic. Because of this, you can do a few things to help them, which we will review in a moment.

 

2. Your Rabbit Might Seek More Attention

 

Since rabbits will bond with each other, especially when introduced at a young age, they might seek more attention from you when another companion dies.

This might be as simple as nudging on your hand to get your attention or dig their feet onto your legs or feet. They also might stomp their feet or become louder to let you know they want to be with you.

Responding to these cues during grieving shows them you care. It also lets your furry friend know you are there for them during this time, forming a better bond between you!

 

3. There Might Be Signs of Depression

 

On top of all of the above, your rabbit might become depressed when their loved furry friend passes away. Some of these cues include the following:

 

• Your rabbit might lose interest in food or their favorite treats.

 

• They might thump their feet as a sign of being stressed or depressed.

 

• Some rabbits might hide in a specific place for an extended period. A few of these places might be unusual.

 

• Their social behaviors drastically decrease. Some rabbits who were once affectionate to you might hardly show any, while others might show signs of aggression or fear when you approach them.

 

• Your rabbit might have odd movements, like pacing around their enclosure or circling consistently.

 

• A few rabbits might cause destruction, such as overgrooming themselves, chewing excessively, or biting.

 

• Your furry friend may reduce the amount of activity they are doing, such as spending less time exploring and playing, and instead start to sleep more or become lazier than usual.

 

How to Help a Rabbit Cope With Death?

 

Now that you know the signs of your rabbit understanding death, it is time to see how you can help them get out of this funk. Although we are talking about rabbits, think of it as helping a close family member or friend who is also dealing with a loss or overcoming something significant.

Never force anything on your rabbit, as this will cause more discomfort and stress. Instead, ensure you give your rabbit grace, patience, and understanding during this time. That said, let’s get into how you can help your furry friend!

 

1. Let the Rabbit See Their Dead Friend

 

Just like humans have funerals to say our last goodbye to our loved ones, providing the same opportunity for your rabbit is a wise choice. Many rabbit companions will sit next to their loved ones and watch over them.

Although you may want to get the lifeless body out of the enclosure or space relatively quickly, it is imperative to allow your other rabbit time to say goodbye. If it has been more than four hours and your mourning rabbit has not yet left their side, you can rub a stuffed animal, blanket, or towel over the dead body so the rabbit can still have the scent. Your rabbit may feel comfort in this, but you must remove the dead body for hygienic reasons, of course.

 

2. Watch Them Closely

 

After the initial death process finishes, it is imperative to watch your bunny closely. As mentioned above, if they start acting depressed, hiding, lethargic, or having social behaviors drop, then it is wise to make sure you are spending extra quality time with them. Some of these things include extra cuddles, talking, and petting.

On top of that, make sure to provide additional enrichment and initially distract them from how they are feeling. Thankfully, rabbits tend to live in the moment and may overcome their grief within a few short weeks. Still, ensure you are patient and understanding, and never punish your rabbit for acting differently.

 

3. Consider Adopting a New Mate

 

This is hit or miss, depending on whether you want a new rabbit. Sometimes, you may want a rabbit for a season, and other times, it might not be doable.

For example, if you want to start a family, you should create more time for that to happen instead of focusing on getting a new rabbit. Still, sometimes, it would help to adopt a new mate for your rabbit.

Overall, your choice of if and when you get a new rabbit is entirely yours. However, since rabbits are social creatures, make sure you give your one bunny extra attention if you go down this route!

 

4. Give Him a Stuffed Animal

 

Rabbits with limited social interactions will need some comfort. If you do not want to deal with having two rabbits or even getting a second rabbit again, a stuffy might solve this!

Many times, rabbits will turn to stuffed animals for comfort and companionship. They also enrich your bunny by encouraging your rabbit to groom, explore, and potentially chew them.

Because of this, it is wise to make sure that whatever stuffed animal you choose is non-toxic and that it does not contain beads, small buttons, or batteries.

 

Conclusion

 

To summarize, rabbits do understand death to a certain degree, but not many studies have been done about it. Still, make sure you give your furry friend time to grieve and help them overcome any sadness they may be feeling by providing many distractions, like cuddling or playing with them. Overall, rabbits are very sensitive creatures and should be treated with respect regardless of how they feel.

We highly encourage you to read more of our articles for more information about rabbits. Also, if you have recently lost a furry friend, we apologize for your loss. We are hopeful that after a while, things will start to get normal again emotionally.