Help, need cat+rabbit tips

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 5sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 7 months ago by Bladesmith.

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- 08/14/2017 at 9:54 PM
  Andrea
  Participant
  3 posts
  Hi there everyone! So, I got a new bunny (my first) about a week ago and my cat is being very predatory towards him. The bunny is safe in his cage when I’m not there to watch him and I am being very vigilant when he is out playing. I was wondering if anyone else has gone through this before and if you can give me any tips or tricks on how to discourage my cat.
  
  My cat is mostly/usually an indoor cat though she’s been going out a lot this summer. She has never killed another animal as long as I have had her (5 years) and she really is very sweet to me although quite hostile to other cats and dogs and shy around other humans. She doesn’t hiss at the rabbit but she watches him on the edge of her seat like she’s ready to pounce. Sometimes she is calm with him and ignores him (if she’s tired) and sometimes she is frightened/startled by him but often she watches him like he’s her toy/prey. The good news is that Benedict (the rabbit) is not scared of her and is at ease around her. As yet, she has not lunged at him but she has swatted him a few times (her nails are trimmed and he just shakes it off).
  
  I truly hope this is just an adjustment period but I am worried about both of them.
  
  Help!
  
  PS, there is no way to keep them in separate rooms.
  
  UPDATE: 4 MONTHS LATER: For anyone in a similar situation who may come across this post please know that my cat and rabbit are both healthy and safe. They are both comfortable with each other now and occasionally chase each other around and generally just peacefully coexist. I was very worried when I wrote this post and I just thought I should let everyone know it can turn out okay, just be patient, watchful, don’t force them to interact and if ever in doubt, place bunny safe in his cage. Trust your instincts. That’s my advice and eventually you might see your cat adjust.
- 08/15/2017 at 7:25 AM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  Um. If the cat is acting predatory I would honestly be concerned. Swatting at the rabbit… this seems like a game of cat and mouse to me…and we know how that ends. It probably would have been best to not get a rabbit, as they are naturally prey animals… I would try to let bunny out when the cat isn’t around.
- 08/15/2017 at 8:02 AM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  I’m not sure what the best solution to this would be and I haven’t got experience of it but could you maybe try putting the bunny in a play pen attached to his cage. The fact that your cat is watching so much like this might just be a matter of curiosity. The fact that your rabbit is in a cage may mean your cat hasn’t seen what your rabbit does if that makes sense? Maybe if your cat was able to watch more of the bunnies natural behaviour then she might be less interested. Obviously make sure the pen is covered so your bunny is safe. This might eleviate some of the stalking that your at seems to be doing and hopefully she loses interest. Your cat could be observing so much because she isn’t sure wether your bunny is a threat. Also I’d be careful of your cat swatting your rabbit because cats can carry a lot of germs in their claws and wounds could get very infected.
- 08/15/2017 at 9:53 AM
  Andrea
  Participant
  3 posts
  I have come to realize this as well but I already have him. I am considering bringing him back to the shelter for his safety but I don’t know, it’s hard and it has only been a week. For now I will try to come up with a way to keep them apart and hope my cat will get used to him.
- 08/15/2017 at 11:14 AM
  Andrea
  Participant
  3 posts
  That’s a really good point, I will see if I can try something like that. My cat does show less interest when he’s jist laying down so maybe she needa morw time to adjust to his acrobatics. Thanks!
- 12/06/2017 at 4:32 PM
  Bladesmith
  Participant
  849 posts
  Use a spray bottle with water and a tiny pit of vinegar. Every time you see the cat act predatory towards the rabbit, give the cat a quick spray (Stream setting works best) and say loudly, “No! My Bunny!” They’ll get the idea quickly enough. Now my rabbits and cats play together.
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