Grieving Dini

[Sonn]

When Pacey lost Walter he just stopped everything he refused to eat or drink or do anything at all. 

Dini is still eating and drinking and using the litter box but he is very angry. Dini is not an aggressive rabbit in any way shape or form. 

He sits where Pacey died. He just sits there and if anyone or anything comes near that spot he goes into full on attack mode. 

I have cleaned that area multiple times and even covered it with a blanket but he still just sits in that one spot. 

If I manage to get him away from it he is fine. He is sad and clings to me but is otherwise fine no lunging or growling or biting. 

My cat walked by the spot this morning and Dini was across the room in his litter box and he ran full speed at him and latched onto Popcorn’s leg and started clawing at him. Luckily Popcorn is a calm cat and just walked away.

I can’t block off the spot because of where it is located. 

Is this normal?

[Beka27]

Sonn… I missed this. I didn’t know Pacey had passed. I’m so, so sorry. :o(

Binky free Pacey!

(I’m gonna leave the question for someone else who’s dealt with this, just wanted to give my condolences…)

[Monkeybun]

He might just need time… it’s a spot he doesn’t seem to want messed with currently. Poor little guy

[MimzMum]

He does sound like he is missing Pacey. Were they actually bonded?
Did he get time with Pacey’s body? Perhaps he is waiting for Pacey to return and wants the space defended until then?
I am sorry he’s having such a rough time. Do you have anything left with Pacey’s scent on it? A blanket or a toy? Something Dini could cuddle?

I will keep you both in my prayers. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for both of you. He will move on in time, but some rabbits take a while to grieve and they all do it in different ways.
Not my personal experience, just what I’ve read. At another forum I frequent, there is a doe who lost her mate last year and she still will not accept another rabbit as companion and acts out aggressively. She manages on her own, but her owner is saddened to see her alone.

[Sonn]

Yes they were very much bonded. Dini did not do anything without Pacey.

He did have time with Pacey’s body he was sitting beside of him when I found him.

I have Pacey’s big green stuffed hippo in the room with him that he sits beside of if he is not in the spot that Pacey died.

When I bring him out of the room he acts like before Pacey died.

Before Pacey died I was in the process of making them a trio but that is very far on the back burner right now. I still take him to be around the rabbit I was adopting and he seems better when he is there or when I took him to school with me and he went to the pet store this morning and was like normal. He greeted everyone and took treats.

It is just when he is in that spot he gets extremely defensive. If he is in the litter box or at his food bowl he is perfectly fine. He is down but doesn’t lunge or scratch. But the second he sees anyone going to that spot he flips out.

[LittlePuffyTail]

It’s so heartbreaking to hear about a grieving bunny. My heart goes out to you and Dini. Please give him lots of love for me.

Bunnies are just like people in that their grieving process is very individual. I hope his little heart mends soon. ((((((Dini)))))))

[RabbitPam]

I think it’s very soon for him, and this is his reaction to his grief. I wouldn’t worry about it, rather, I would try to respect his wishes. He’s made it clear that it is a sacred spot to him, and he knows Pacey is gone because of how you found them.
If he is amenable to any change, it might be to have the hippo sit in that spot instead. If he doesn’t want it, don’t push. I would just let him act the way he is for a while and leave the spot empty otherwise. But do continue to give him extra cuddle time outside of their house so he can be comforted by you. Grief is not a fast process, and the fact that he is eating, etc. is very good for his health. Since you’ve cleaned the spot already, there’s not much else you can do. Time heals.

[Sonn]

I am just letting him sit in the spot if he wants and trying to keep my dogs and cats away from it (it is in the path they normally go outside through).

I put the Hippo beside of the spot and he cuddles up to it and sleeps there.

Very glad that he is still eating. I was worried the most about that because I eventually had to force feed Pacey when Walter died.

[cocobear]

My girl lost her mate and moving her to a new area really pulled her out of a funk. However, she was aware that her mate was dying, he had been ill for weeks. She was very anxious and depressed. She is now living in my bedroom and is a totally new rabbit.

[Elrohwen]

I didn’t realize Pacey had passed either. So sorry for you and Dini. Binky free, Pacey!

I haven’t experienced this so I don’t have any advice. Hopefully with time his behavior returns to normal.

[Author]

Messages