Rabbit dominating Cat

[Flypaste]

Well, we recently moved our rabbit, Ashes outside from http://imgur.com/zJNyXWz to http://imgur.com/K6Nbxjn , and while she was inside, one of our cats, Kibble, a really outside-y cat, (Outside 80%+) would sometimes sleep in the top of Ashes’ cage, while she was in her old, bad outside cage that we only used occasionally.

Ashes has lived indoors for a year and a half, being totally at peace with all 4 of our cats.

This new dwelling is permanent.

Kibble has jumped into her outdoor cage a couple times, and what always happens is:
Ashes looks at her. She looks at Ashes. Ashes starts chasing her around the cage while sniffing her butt relentlessly. (lol?)

I normally have to take Kibble out in this situation, as she seems to have issues getting out while being ‘dominated’.

Now, I know how the mindsets work between the Rabbit and the Cat.

“Not prey, not a threat, it’s fine!” -Cat

“Another furry creature my size, I must find out who is THE BEST!” -Rabbit

But I want them to get along. Should I just leave Kibble to do what she needs, or is there a way I can get Ashes to stop trying to dominate her? Ashes is okay with Humans. Overly friendly, sometimes.

Also: would it be okay to build a sentry post in the middle of the cage? just big enough for her to sit comfortably on top of. If yes, how tall should it be? http://imgur.com/9ZEg5fS

If not open, would it work being enclosed? Like a wooden square lighthouse without the light, with a spiralling ramp/staircase and reaching just about the fences, and bolted to an underground ceramic tile. (My dad is a carpenter)

Also, if there’s anything wrong with this cage setup, tell me please.
There is a box for the Ashes to burrow in underneath the chair, and there IS fence around the rock.
At night we lock Ashes in the hut.
There is a board on the chair to stop Ashes from using it to jump out: She just slides off.
and Kibble likes to sit on the chair to observe the Ashes,
but she can only do that while we’re there, because the board is on the chair unless we are watching.

Also: My dad will be building a new hutch for her, much improved from what she has now.

Or we will take the wheels off her origional one and move it there.

(Sorry for poor lighting and photo quality. It’s dusk, and I’m using a PS Vita)

 

 

[michy]

well i have a rabbit named bunny bunny and well we have him on a balcony and we make little carboard boxes for him he loves them and likes there to be a opening big enough to go in and out on each side of the boxes he feels safe this way hope this helps and im also not to sure what your asking so if this is useless sorry

 

[michy]

well my rabit, bunny bunny loves when we make boxes out of carboard with and open end on each side this why he feels safe and i think your bunny would like you should try this but im not to sure what your asking either way i hope this is helpfull

[Flypaste]

No, no, I’m talking about a tower. Like a lighthouse, but bunny-sized and without the light.

love your tripple post, haha.

[MoveDiagonally]

Hello, Welcome to BB!

Is there any particular reason you moved your rabbit outdoors?

Rabbits are naturally territorial and your rabbit is likely seeing your cat as an invader. If your bunny is not spayed/neutered the behavior is amplified. Your rabbit’s current habitat would make a fine supervised outside play area but as a permanent home it’s really not safe enough. Stray cats, raccoon, birds of prey, etc… All pose very real dangers to your rabbit. There also doesn’t seem to be any way for you to protect your rabbit from extreme weather conditions. Please consider bringing your rabbit back in side either temporarily, while you put together something safer, or permanently.

I’m saying this out of concern for your rabbits well being not to be mean or negative.

[Sarita]

Yes, what is the reason for moving him outdoors.

As for the cat, it’s not unusual for any rabbit to get angry with someone in his territory and that is where the cat is. It’s your rabbit’s cage after all – it’s not a dominance thing so much as it is a territorial thing.

[LittlePuffyTail]

It’s normal for bunnies to protect their territory. Bindi is super sweet and completely ignores the cats. Once while he was out for play time, my cat went into the cardboard box (his bed) in his condo and I didn’t know and put Bindi back in. Lots of chasing (by Bindi) and fur flying ensued.

[Flypaste]

It’s fine now. The cat and rabbit are like best friends, and we will have a cover to put over top shortly to stop things from getting in. During the winter we bring her back inside, sorry I forgot to mention that. The reason we moved her was because her indoor cage doesn’t give her enough room to run around. This outside cage, within it, is the first time we have seen her binky.

[MoveDiagonally]

 Did she get time out of her cage when she was indoors? 

 

Here is a great chart on why it’s recommended for rabbits to live indoors:

rabbit.org/why-to-keep-your-rabbit-indoors/

 

The current habitat is not safe for her right now and by keeping her in it you are putting your rabbit at the mercy of predators. Safe outdoor housing needs to be predator proof and provide shelter from weather. Over 80 degrees and under 45-50 degrees is too cold. I would not keep her outside until it’s safer for her. 

 

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