There are a number of reasons why rabbits may die suddenly. One of the most common reasons is an illness or injury that the rabbit was not able to recover from. Other potential causes of sudden death in rabbits include, ingesting a poisonous substance, being attacked by another animal, or experiencing a traumatic injury.
If you have a rabbit and it dies suddenly, a trip to the veterinarian for a check-up is a good idea. There may be a treatable illness or injury that leads to the death of your rabbit that otherwise could have been treated successfully.
Rabbits can die from all sorts of ailments and disorders ranging from cancers, digestive problems, urinary tract infections, respiratory diseases, etc., just like any other animal.
Rabbits should always receive regular veterinary examinations and care which includes urine testing for crystals (which can prove fatal if not detected), stool inspection for abnormal types or quantities (can also indicate serious illness if present) , fur chewing (a sign of molar spurs which must be removed) and check-ups to verify overall health. Sometimes rabbits will not show any symptoms of illness until the disease is at a very advanced stage, resulting in sudden death or euthanasia be necessary.
Rabbits are prey animals by nature and they have evolved over time to mask signs of illness until almost the last possible moment – often when it’s too late to recover.
This means that many times rabbit guardians are not aware their pet is even ill until it’s too late. The average lifespan of a pet rabbit is around 5-7 years, but with regular veterinary care and good husbandry practices, many rabbits can live significantly longer than this.