Photo by Pablo Martinez
Rabbits are most of the time socially active and in the mood to play with their toys or owners. You can see them doing binkies and zoomies around the house, but it worries you when your rabbit is sad and not even playing with its favorite toy.
Like other pets that get sad for some reason, rabbits are no exception for that. It is more complicated when it feels like not doing anything because there are diseases that aren't obvious but are slowly killing your pet. It's alarming.
We're going to talk about why rabbits get sad so you know what to do and what actions you have to take whenever you see them not doing anything.
5 Reasons Why a Rabbit Is Sad
Here are the reasons why:
1. Lack of Attention
When you adopted your bunny, have you considered the time you would spend with it? Your attention to your bunny contributes the biggest part to its overall health.
Your rabbit might be destructive, but there are times when it gets lonely after chewing things. Aside from providing food and water, you need to have a bond with your pet rabbit.
2. Sick
Every rabbit owner fears this reason–sickness. Bunny parents want to be with their rabbits for more years. That's why they prioritize visiting the vet twice a year. If a rabbit is lonely or not eating for 6-12 hours, refusing favorite treats, go to the vet immediately. Remember what food you gave before it got sad or what activities it did.
3. Longing for a Bunny Companion
Rabbits are social animals. In the wild, rabbits come in colonies. Your rabbit needs a companion in all activities because it feels safe around another rabbit. Having a pair of bonded rabbits reduces destructive behavior and boredom. Bunny companion makes your rabbit livelier and healthier!
4. Abnormal Growing Teeth
Rabbits experience abnormal growth of teeth which is painful. This is because of a lack of roughage for normal shaping of rabbit's teeth. This is one reason why a rabbit is sad. When it feels pain and gets uncomfortable, it chooses to rest and not do its usual activities. Visit your vet for a dental check-up.
5. Loud Environment
Rabbits get easily frightened by loud and harsh noises in the environment. If you live in a place where there are often loud noises, it scares your rabbit. If a bunny is scared, it chooses to hide in a dark place, which means no playing. It will make your rabbit sad.
Disclaimer: We are not professional veterinarians or medical doctors. We created this blog based on our experiences with pet rabbits, volunteered hours in the rabbit shelter, extensive pet product research, and experienced peers. The purpose of this blog is to provide information about properly taking care of rabbits. Please know that it is still best to visit the vet regularly. For medical emergencies, contact a rabbit-savvy vet. Always observe your rabbits around new products or environmental changes.
Final Thoughts on Why a Rabbit Is Sad
There you have it! Now you know why rabbits can be sad and how to help them.
But don't worry—you can make things better! There are many ways to help your rabbit feel happier, from changing its diet to adding new toys and having regular check-ups.
Most importantly, spend time with your rabbit every day. They need love and attention as much as we do!
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