If your rabbit is in pain, provide them with their favorite food and keep them in a quiet room. If you can identify the source of their pain, a gentle massage may also help. If nothing else works, consider speaking with your vet about NSAIDs.
Rabbits are delicate creatures, and even the slightest injury can cause them a great deal of pain. As a responsible rabbit owner, it’s essential to know how to comfort your rabbit in times of need. The good news is that you can do plenty of things to comfort a rabbit in pain.
In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how you can make your rabbit feel better when they’re in pain.
What You'll Learn
What to Do When Your Rabbit is In Pain
There is nothing a rabbit owner dislikes more than seeing their pet in pain. All you want to do is make the pain go away!
While you may not be able to eliminate the pain, you can do your best to comfort them during this time.
However, before you start comforting your rabbit, let’s go over the first three steps you should take when you notice your rabbit is in pain.
Identify The Source of The Pain
The first step is to identify the source of the pain. If your rabbit is in pain, it’s important to find out why.
There are many different things that can cause a rabbit pain, including:
- Injury
- Illness
- Arthritis
- Toothache
- Pregnancy
If you can identify the source of the pain, it will be easier to treat.
Speak With a Vet
The second step is to speak with your vet. If you’re not sure what’s causing your rabbit pain, it’s always best to consult with a professional.
Your vet will be able to give you a definitive answer and help you create a plan to relieve your rabbit’s pain.
Ensure They Are Eating and Drinking
The third step is to ensure your rabbit is eating and drinking. This may seem like an odd step, but it’s actually very important.
When a rabbit is in pain, they often stop eating and drinking. This can lead to dehydration and malnutrition, both of which can make the pain worse.
So give them food and water if you notice that your rabbit isn’t eating or drinking.
Comforting Your Rabbit While They Are in Pain
Now that you’ve taken the necessary steps to identify and treat the source of the pain, it’s time to focus on comforting your rabbit.
There are many different things you can do to comfort your rabbit while they’re in pain.
Consider Medication
If the pain is severe, you may want to consider medication. NSAIDs are a type of painkiller that can be given to rabbits.
However, speaking with your vet before giving your rabbit any medication is important.
Massage Your Rabbit
If your rabbit enjoys being touched, a gentle massage may help to ease its pain. Just be sure not to touch any open wounds.
Keep Them in a Quiet Room
Rabbits are very sensitive to noise, so it’s important to keep them in a quiet room while they’re in pain. This will help them to relax and feel more comfortable.
Give Them Their Favorite Foods
Giving your rabbit their favorite foods is a great way to show them you care. This will also help to take their mind off of the pain.
Speak to Them in a Gentle and Soft Voice
Rabbits are very sensitive to sound, so speaking to them in a gentle and soft voice is important. This will help calm them down and make them feel more comfortable.
What NOT To Do For a Rabbit in Pain
There are also some things you should avoid doing when your rabbit is in pain.
Don’t Touch Them if They Don’t Want to Be Touched
Rabbits are very sensitive creatures and may not want to be touched when they’re in pain. If your rabbit doesn’t want to be touched, it’s best to leave them be.
Don’t Wait to See If The Pain Will Go Away
If you notice that your rabbit is in pain, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. Don’t wait to see if the pain will go away on its own.
Don’t Give Your Rabbit Painkillers Made for Humans
Never give your rabbit painkillers made for humans, at least not without speaking to your vet first. These can be toxic to rabbits and potentially fatal.
Don’t Use Ice or Heat
Ice and heat can both be harmful to rabbits, so it’s best to avoid them. Rabbits have very sensitive skin; if they get too hot or too cold, it can cause them to go into shock.
How to Make Your Rabbit More Comfortable
You can do many different things to make your rabbit more comfortable when they’re in pain.
Provide Hiding Spots
Rabbits feel more comfortable when hidden, so it’s a good idea to provide them with hiding spots. This could be something as simple as a cardboard box or a towel.
Separate Them From Other Rabbits
If you have more than one rabbit, it’s best to separate them when one is in pain. This is because rabbits can be very territorial, and the rabbit in pain may not want to share their space.
Provide Softer Bedding
You want a soft, comfy mattress when you’re in pain, right? The same is true with your rabbit. When your rabbit is in pain, the last thing they want to do is lay on a hard surface. Not only will they have trouble getting comfortable, but the hard surface can worsen the pain.
Not Sure What to Do?
If your rabbit is in pain, it’s important to take action immediately. You can do many different things to comfort your rabbit and ease their pain. However, there are also some things you should avoid doing. If you’re unsure what to do, it’s always best to speak with your vet. They can give you the best advice for your specific situation.
