Rabbits are more intelligent than many people realize, and they can experience both positive and negative emotions. This means that if their needs are not met, or they are unwell, they can experience sadness and depression.
Because rabbits are prey animals, they are good at hiding how they are feeling. This is why, as their owner, you’ll need to keep an eye out for anything that isn’t quite right.
Low mood in your bunny can significantly impact their well-being, so you’ll want to make sure they’re happy and cared for at all times. In this article, we’ll explore the signs of sadness and depression in your bun and what you can do if they’re experiencing these emotions.
Signs Of Sadness And Depression In Rabbits
Rabbits can’t talk, so as their owners it is our job to look out for signs in their body language that they may be sad or depressed.
It is important to note that these signs can also be caused by other health issues in your bun. So, if your rabbit has suddenly changed their behavior, or you feel their depression has come on quickly, a trip to the vet can help you determine what might be the cause.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common signs of depression in bunnies.
Lack Of Energy
Rabbits, especially young rabbits, are very active and inquisitive. They love to explore their surroundings and will happily hop and jump around.
If you find that your rabbit is very lethargic and prefers to stay put in one spot, this could be a sign of depression. They also might be uninterested in toys and treats.
Little Interest In Food
Bunnies love their food! These furry friends love to munch on hay all day long, and will never say no a treat. So if your rabbit is uninterested in their food or doesn’t fancy a treat, this could be cause for concern. Lack of appetite is a sign of depression.
Pulling At Fur
Rabbits that are depressed may pull on their fur, causing bald spots. It is thought they over-groom to keep themselves calm, or as a way to entertain themselves if they are bored.
Excessive Biting and Destructive Behaviors
If your rabbit begins to bite things they normally don’t, such as their hutch, you, or their rabbit companion, this may be an indication that they are depressed. This could be in both an aggressive and destructive manner, and in an obsessive manner.
For example, if your rabbit is constantly digging or chewing at your couch, even when you have told them no, this may be due to sadness.
Pacing
Pacing is not a common sign of depression in rabbits, but it can sometimes be. If your bunny is pacing backwards and forwards over a small area of their hutch, you may want to check on them.
Hiding and Antisocial Behavior
Bunnies who are depressed may spend a lot of time hiding. This is because they tend to separate themselves from their humans and rabbit friends when they feel sad, so look out for any antisocial behavior.
Reasons Your Rabbit May Be Depressed
If you fear your rabbit may be sad or depressed, it is very important you find out the reason so you can make changes and fix the issue. Here are some of the most common reasons bunnies may be unhappy.
Lack Of Exercise
In the wild, rabbits run up to five miles a day. House rabbits also need a lot of exercise. If your rabbit is living a sedentary life and isn’t given the opportunity to move around and explore, they will become depressed.
A Small Enclosure
Rabbits need lots and lots of space to live in. If your rabbit is cooped up in a small hutch or not let out to hop around, explore and play, this can cause depression.
Loneliness
Bunnies are very social animals and do not like to be on their own. They do best with a bunny friend and interaction from you.
Similarly, a loss of a companion can cause rabbits to become depressed. If you have recently lost a bun, your remaining rabbit may be mourning their loss.
Boredom
Rabbits are intelligent animals that need mental stimulation. When your rabbit is left alone with no interaction, toys, or friends to play with, they can become bored quickly. This can soon turn into depression.
Illness
Just like us, rabbits who are sick aren’t feeling their best. However, these furry animals are very good at hiding their pain. So, if your rabbit seems depressed, check they aren’t suffering from any medical conditions.
Change In Routine
Bunnies like a routine, so any change (whether it is big or small) can cause some anxiety in rabbits, which can lead to depression. This change in routine can also include a change in environment (ie. if you have moved house).
How To Keep Your Rabbit Happy
Once you have figured out what might be causing sadness or depression in your rabbit, you can make changes in their life to ensure they are happy. Even if your bun seems happy now, it is important to give them a lifestyle that will prevent depression in the future.
You can do this with our tips below.
Give Your Rabbit A Friend
Finding your bun a rabbit friend that they can bond with is one of the best way to keep your rabbit happy. Because rabbits are so social, they’ll love to have one of their own to live with.
To find a friend for your rabbit, we recommend going to your local shelter to see if there are any rabbits that need a good home.
Once you have brought your second bun home, you’ll need to spend some time bonding your bunnies. This can take some time, but is worth it in the end when you see your two rabbits cuddling together and grooming each other!
Interact With Your Rabbit
While rabbits do best with a rabbit companion, rabbits also need interaction from you. If you believe your bun is sad or depressed, see if you can spend more one-on-one time with them.
When interacting with your rabbit, get down to their level. They might want to play with some of their toys with you, or they might simply just want to hop into your lap for a cuddle!
Each bun is different, but they will live a happy life if they get lots of love and attention from their owner.
Buy Some Rabbit Toys
Your little furry friend needs lots of mental stimulation to prevent them from becoming bored. This is especially important if you have a single rabbit or you are out of the house for many hours a day.
To combat this, give your bun lots of toys and games to keep them entertained. There are many different types of rabbit toys out there, from puzzle toys, to chew toys and digging toys.
If you’ve tried toys in the past and your bunny doesn’t seem interested, try a different type of toy. There will be one out there that your rabbit loves!
Give Your Rabbit A Larger Enclosure
Your rabbit’s hutch or cage should be at least four times the size of the rabbit. A guide is 24″ by 36″ for smaller rabbits (less than 8 lbs) or 30″ by 36″ for larger rabbits.
If you have the space, giving your rabbit an entire room in your house is the best option for housing. This means they’ll have lots of space to hop about and play, and you’ll have somewhere to put all their toys. Read all about bunny proofing your home.
Regardless of your rabbit’s enclosure, they should also be let out to roam for a minimum of four hours a day. You can buy a puppy pen so they can spend time outside without you worrying about them running away or being preyed on, but they should still be supervised.
The more space your bunny has and the more time they are allowed to hop and explore, the happier they will be.
Check Your Rabbit Isn’t Sick
Because rabbits are prey animals, they are very good at hiding their pain. This is so they do not appear weak or injured in the wild and make themselves seem vulnerable to prey.
However, while being preyed on is much less common for house rabbits, they still don’t like to show how they feel!
If your rabbit seems to have developed depression quickly, or you’re worried about their health at all, take a quick trip to the vet to rule out anything medical.
Give Your Rabbit A Healthy Diet
Bunnies have very delicate little bodies, with complex digestive systems. This is why keeping your rabbit on a healthy diet is very important to ensuring their well-being — both mentally and physically.
A good rabbit diet is made up of hay, vegetables and pellets, and fresh water should be available to your bun at all times. Treats are allowed in moderation!
Keep Your Rabbit In The Same Routine
One of the best ways to keep your rabbit feeling safe in your home is to keep them on a regular schedule. This means feeding them at the same time each day, and trying to give them the same amount of exercise at the same time every day.
By creating this safe environment for your rabbit, they are much less likely to suffer from depression.
