Having a cat and a rabbit-how to tell if they will be friendly together

[Gamefreak1996]

I have a Siberian cat named Marty (male) and a Dutch rabbit named Buddy (also male). Cat is about a year and rabbit about 5 months. Now there’s never been any issues between the two, and I took a lot of time getting bun used to me and then slowly introduced to the cat. He isn’t scared of the cat really. But I’m a little confused about my cats behavior. He’s never tried to actually harm the bun, but often he will get the same look in his eye as he gets when I am playing with him with his toy, that manic gleam, and will stalk the bun. Also will swat at the bun-not hard-and then directly after swatting will coo and roll over on his back and roll around everywhere. Is this aggressive behavior? Or does he just see the bun like another cat and just trying to play? My cat has stayed with a relative for a short period who owned a lot of birds, and he apparently never took interest in or messed with them once. Now his claws are trimmed, he isn’t neutered just yet. I’m working on that and hopefully he will tone down a bit once he is. I guess I’m just being really cautious and protective haha. So is this typically a good sign? Bad? Because I’m not sure. He’s never growled hiss or bit, just stalked, chased a little and gently swatting.

[Luna]

I would say Marty’s behavior is normal play as opposed to aggressive behavior. He is young, and cats have a prey drive that is naturally triggered by prey behavior, so the stalking, chasing, and swatting is not surprising. Also, the fact that he rolls on his back indicates that he does not feel threatened by Buddy. However, non-aggressive cats can quickly turn “normal play” into “aggressive play.” Normal play between your cat and bun is ok (Marty is declawed in the front?), but you have to be firm with setting boundaries for Marty so that he learns aggressive play is not ok.

[Bladesmith]

As I type this, our cat Pyewacket is chasing Dawn, our little Netherland Dwarf, all over the house. At speed.  And when they’re done, they’ll reverse roles, and Dawn will then chase Pye all over the house again.  And when they’re done, they’ll both flop down on the ground, cuddle up together, and nap.  Occasionally they even groom each other.  Watching a 2 pound bunny chase a 10 pound cat is pretty darn funny.

I worried about the same thing.  Pye will stalk and swat at Dawn from time to time, but no claws and it’s normal behavior.  Dawn, if she doesn’t feel like playing, will growl and punch with her front feet.  Again, all normal.

Basically, if your cat was going to actually attack your bun, it would have happened in the beginning, but not now.  They’ve bonded, and it’s all just play.

I was nervous about leaving the buns loose at night (My rabbits have free roaming rights at night) with the cats loose at the same time, but nope.  No problems.

[DanaNM]

My cat Toby plays like that with Bertha, and I’ve observed him play that way with other cats too. I am still sure to supervise them when they are most active, and I trim his nail, because even play could injure her. 

But, bunnies are pretty good about letting cats know when they’ve had enough, and if they are scared, it’s pretty obvious, 

My two don’t snuggle, but they don’t mind each other’s company (Toby loves sleeping on the top level of Bertha’s condo, you can see him in the background): 

. . . 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.  

[Jellie]

I just fully introduced my dog to my bun yesterday and it was the most hilarious thing ever. My dog is a beagle/pitbull mix, 50 pounds and not scared of anything. He is scared of my bun!

Him and bun have been sniffing eachother through the condo for a couple weeks now but yesterday bun was having his playtime and my dog Mar came downstairs to visit me and I decided to let them fully meet. Mar was very good and didn’t freak the bun out at all, the bun was the one who was following Mar and sniffing his butt. He eventually ran Mar off! I don’t think he meant to he was just curious but Mar was not having it.

[Author]

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