My boy is licking cat pee off the carpet...you read that right

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 7sd replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 5 months ago by Boing.

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- 10/23/2018 at 7:22 AM
  RabbitLove
  Participant
  5 posts
  So, our cat is old and diabetic. He sometimes will be on the carpet. It’s bad but we are doing all we can to keep it clean and stop it. The big problem is…Hamlet will literally lick the carpet where the cat peed.
  
  What on earth? Is it because the cat had extra sugar in his urine and my bunny likes that? What in the world. I’m far more concerned about his health due to this. It apparently has been happening for a while and he has never been in such good spirits.
  
  Anyone heard of this before? I doubt it has to do with salt. I’m perplexed.
  
  Thank you.
- 10/23/2018 at 12:18 PM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5834 posts
  I would keep your rabbit from doing that in the future.
  
  Initially I was thinking it may be a result of a parasite which has evolved centering around cats, which causes prey species (mainly mice) to no longer have fear, but feel drawn towards the cat scent. It’s called toxoplasma gondii, the parasite. It develops in the cats system, exits through fecal matter, then a mice will contract it. It travels to the brain and rewires the mice to no longer fear cats. So I was thinking, perhaps this was in the works with your rabbit.
  
  I tried googling it and it immediately came up with toxoplasmosis (http://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Toxoplasmosis). So for safety reasons, the explanation of why aside, I’d keep your rabbit away.
  
  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.
- 10/23/2018 at 1:39 PM
  RabbitLove
  Participant
  5 posts
  Bizarre. Thank you for your insight!
- 10/23/2018 at 2:58 PM
  Nutmeg
  Participant
  594 posts
  OMG WICK – I’ve never heard of that before!!! WOW – you learn something new every day!
- 10/23/2018 at 3:59 PM
  RabbitLove
  Participant
  5 posts
  Posted By Nutmeg on 10/23/2018 2:58 PM
  OMG WICK – I’ve never heard of that before!!! WOW – you learn something new every day!
  
  Right?! He is fine but….wow. Hope it is just my usual crazy boi who kicks everything in sight since day one!
- 10/24/2018 at 7:08 AM
  sarahthegemini
  Participant
  5584 posts
  You really are knowledgeable Wick. That’s so interesting!
- 10/25/2018 at 6:02 PM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  Wow, that’s crazy!!!! I’ve had cats all my life and never heard that before.
- 10/27/2018 at 8:36 PM
  Boing
  Participant
  253 posts
  Another possibility is that your cat’s diabetes is not as well controlled as you might like.
  
  When Cincinnati has major issues, ants are attracted to his urine – I’m talking thousands congregating under his litter box. None near Daisy’s mere feet away.
  
  In ancient times it was called sugar urine disease. Supposedly a test was to urinate on the ground and see if ants would come. Now the internet debunks this as a hoax, at least for people. But I know that for bunnies (Cincinnati is a rabbit), it’s true. It’s hard to mistake a thousand plus ants in a puddle of urine for something else.
  
  If I were you, I’d have the cat checked out.
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