Elder Rabbits
Losing a Companion
Bunnies are social creatures that often bond with other rabbits for life. When one bunny dies, the surviving rabbit may become depressed and sick. Many rabbits lose weight and are no longer interested in treats or toys. Often the best solution is to bring another senior bunny home. A baby bunny would be a poor choice as they have their own set of needs and cannot provide the mellow companionship that an older rabbit can. The newly bonded pair may not behave exactly the same as the original pair, but they can be good friends to each other in their twilight years.
Immobility and Litterboxes
Geriatric bunnies frequently have aches and pains that make it difficult to use a litterbox. With a few minor adjustments, you can help make life easier for the both of you.
If the litterbox is too high to scale, replace it with a large hay tub with a cutaway door that has a one-inch threshold. This allows a stiff-jointed elderly rabbit to access the inside. Impaired bunnies cannot always maneuver a turn-around inside a small box.
Even a one-inch threshold is too high for some rabbits. In these cases, a flat area is needed that has no barriers to cross, that can be urinated on, that absorbs moisture, and that won't scatter. And you need protection for your floor. This is all accomplished with a washable/disposable rug on top of newspapers on top of a tray.
Use a large piece of synthetic fleece as the top layer. Synthetic fleece provides cushioning for bunnies whose bodies keep contact with the surface. Another option is to use disposable sea-grass mats. These are fairly inexpensive and can be found in import stores such as Pier One. They are sold as flooring and can be cut to fit your needs.
The middle layer can be made up of newspapers, magazines, junk mail, paper towels, and pages from old phone directories.
Finally, use oil-drip pans with smooth rounded edges (no sharp, potentially dangerous corners) for the bottom layer. These are available in auto supply and hardware stores everywhere and come in a variety of sizes.
The rug on top allows moisture to drain through, the absorbent middle layer soaks up moisture, and the waterproof layer on the bottom prevents moisture from reaching your floor or furnishings. Life is easier for you and your elder bun.
These are but a few of the common concerns that arise
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