Rabbit + Cat= Friends??

[Alicia Conklin]

This is the weirdest thing that I have ever seen.  My male cat is obsessed with my rabbit.  He loves to go in his condo and spend time in there.  He doesn’t bother the rabbit, does not seem to be a threat to him and Tucker will sometimes run and hide in the corner of his cage for a minute but then he comes right back out and goes about business as usual.  Like right now, TK (cat) is up on the loft chilling and Tucker is out in his pen eating some hay. 

Does anyone else have cats that like their rabbit? What’s so weird is that TK is usually a hunter, he doesn’t have front claws but he has brought home birds to us before and mice and stuff.  But he doesn’t seem to have any of that predator instinct when it comes to Tucker.  Does he maybe not realize that he’s a rabbit since he’s inside?  Or maybe because we don’t have wild rabbits around here he doesn’t realize that they are usually “prey”??

Right now he’s washing himself up in the loft while Tucker is still in the pen rearranging his club house and playing with his Eeyore.  Well now Tucker just jumped up into the loft and was sniffing TK and TK batted him with his paw  (clawless)  I think it was just a playful pat.  I never let them out of my site and if I am going to be leaving the room AT ALL I make TK get out of the cage.

 

Ugh that’s it..I had enough and took TK out…who very reluctantly left.  Tucker got too brave and started sniffing him again and TK was too “playful” with those pats..and I got too freaked out and made him leave. 

I’m thinking that I was right and that I’m not being too over protective…but..basically what I am wondering is…if they have complete supervision do you think it’d be ok for a cat and a rabbit to play together?  Or is it something where like one false move and Tucker’s done for an just not worth the risk.  I of course would never ever leave them alone and I stand right there…like I mean I hover over the cage pretty much.  (I have a lap top so I am sitting right near his condo).

The way that TK is with Tucker is how he is with our Pug.  He swats her as in “go away” and like the Pug,  Tucker doesn’t really seem to get the hint since he has no claws and so it’s like “ooh wow you patted me..big woop”.  TK is usually a pretty mellow cat..although I bet those birds outside would say otherwise! Although he’s never bothered our pet bird either.  But I guess when it comes down to it cats are predators and maybe I need to somehow prevent TK from getting in the condo at all..although I don’t see how that is possible without covering it and I would hate to cover it because Tucker is used to walk by pets from everyone which he gets all the time because in order to get to the kitchen you pass his cage and in order to get back from the kitchen to the living room you pass his cage and so it’s a very busy traffic area. 

[LittlePuffyTail]

Hi there. I have 4 cats and 3 bunnies and they all get along pretty good. The only problems I have is that once in a while my youngest cat will get playful and chase the bunnies, they don’t seem very scared though. If she tries to chase my Mini-Rex Stormy he will chase her right back and usually sends her out of the room! He’s the smallest guy in the house and he calls all the shots!

When it comes to Stormy and the cats I worry more about the cats! Sometimes if they are laying down, wagging their tail he will try to bite their tails! The only other problem is if my cats are sleeping on the bed or couch and a bunny goes and bugs them, the cat sometimes gives the bunny a little swat with the paw.

Other than that my cats and bunnies pretty much ignore each other. Your cat will probably eventually get bored of your bunny. How long have you had your bunny?

[Alicia Conklin]

about two months. He’s just started with this whole cage obsession over the last month though. He came inside one night from a big storm and was wet so I guess he decided that Tucker’s box of carefresh would be an awesome place to sleep it off. Ever since then he’s been obsessed with getting in the cage with Tucker.

I’m mainly worried about him all of a sudden turning on Tucker. I wonder if he would seriously hurt him by the time I could get him off. I’d imagine it’d only be a few seconds but still..

[JK]

My cat is also very fascinated by Edson.  She  is always hangin out in his room and he loves her!  When she comes in Edson races over to be with her and she stays a second and then jumps up to a higher level.  She is still a little skittish around him. My hope is that they will bond at some point.  

[RabbitPam]

I really wouldn’t worry about Tucker and your declawed cat. I don’t remember where I heard this, but I was told that in a fight between a rabbit and a cat, the rabbit would win. It seems that those powerful hind legs (that also have claws) can really whallop a cat if the rabbit wants it gone. Plus a rabbit is one of the fastest animals if it chooses to run away. But you’re right to constantly supervise when TK is visiting Tucker’s house.

[Katiew]

I used to have a great dane that got along really well with one of my bunnies, they would share a water bowl and a bed together when taking a nap.

Also I agree with the last post, rabbits are tougher than you think, one of my larger rabits killed a massive rat while she was playing outside.

[skunklionshow]

One of my cats got into the bunny condo when she was chasing a moth.  Jessica was VERY upset about that!   I had to pull my katie cat out b/f Jessica beat her up.  I have 4 cats & 2 rabbits.  The cats do tend to ignore the rabbits.  Occasionally when the rabbits are having a crazy hip hop time, the cats get very excited.  Jessica will sometimes hop over (repeatedly) one or 2 of the cats.  This usually gets her the occasional whack! 

The only problem I really observed was when 1 of my cats actually held Leo down to lick him…though it might have been tasting.  That really freaked me out & made me decide that I wasn’t comfortable having them out w/o me around.  However, sometimes the rabbits escape at night and don’t seem to be worse for wear, so I guess they can cover protect themselves when needed.  Leo is much less defensive/aggressive than Jessica….so I worry that he will end up in someone’s mouth w/ that goofy “duh” look on his face.

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