Dancing after death of bonded partner

[Inle]

We recently lost our male bunny to GI Stasis.  We took him to the vet immediately and after three days of trying to bring him back, he passed away.  We brought him home and the female rabbit and our dog and cat each took turns paying their respects in their own way in the morning.  In the afternoon we buried him in the backyard where they eat grass and play. 

While we were outside, about an hour after the burial, the female rabbit began binkying and darting around the grave area, and did this for about five minutes.  She does not normally binky more than a couple of times and that’s when she’s really excited about something, so this was definitely unusual and it took place around the grave area and not anywhere else.  We also remembered that she did this years ago with her first bonded mate and it was also for several minutes and very odd behavior for her

We think it’s a positive part of the grieving process but I’ve not seen much of it online in regular google searches.  We were just curious if anyone has seen this kind of behavior after the death of a bonded rabbit, or if anyone knows if it’s something to worry about or just part of her process of moving on.  Thanks. 

[Wick & Fable]

It seems like binkies expressing a negative energy. My Wick is single, so has never gone through a passing of a mate (I’m very sorry for your loss), but he frequently binky and kicks the mat that I groom and medicate him on, as if to express his frustration about the situation. In some ways, perhaps it’s good that the energy is being expressed, rather than being bottled up?

Binky free bunny~

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[DanaNM]

Sorry for your loss

I’ve never witnessed this myself, but I’ve heard of it before (it’s mentioned here http://www.bunnyhugga.com/a-to-z/rabbit-behaviour/rabbit-bereavement.html

There is such a range with how bonded buns react to the loss of their partner, but it seems that the “dance” is common enough to be known as a phenomenon. Interesting that she has done it for both partners, but how sad that she’s been widowed twice. My Bertha has also been widowed twice, and did behave pretty similarly both times, but did not show the dance behavior. She actually seemed almost indifferent (which almost made me feel worse in a really conflicted and weird way), but did start showing more grief as time went on.

Give your girl some nose rubs for me, and binky-free little bun. <3

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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