Update #1: Maggie and Bright Eyes beginning to get along?

[PeachyCream]

When we first got Bright Eyes, Maggie was naturally curious about him.. She’d go up to his cage and sniff at him.. We, being scared she was trying to hunt him would chase her off or scold her.. However, it turns out she was just checking him out… However, after she sniffed him once, she became nervous and even scared of him! If he came too close, she’d hiss at him and get away as soon as she could, and wouldn’t even enter the same room as him for the first 2-3 days…

However, today was really amazing to see! She’ll be ok with being in the same room as him, but she’ll even let him approach her and sniff him! She doesn’t hiss or strike out or anything…The only time she hissed was when he began to sniff near her lower abdomen, but she’s touchy when anyone touches that area (I think it’s because she’s spayed and there’s an old scar there but I’m not sure) But other than that it’s been really interesting… She only ran away from him once when he tried to climb on top of her (I think he thought she was a pillow of some kind xD) and she’ll lie under the dining table, not 4 feet away from him!

This cat was a rescue cat, I think she came from either a hoarder’s house (someone who keeps hundreds of pets in one house and doesn’t stop acquiring pets) or a kitty mill, I forget. So, she’s very nervous. For most people it takes weeks – even months for her to allow them to approach her (me and her bonded a couple months after I got here, but it took a couple weeks for her to even be on the same furniture as me) … So it’s quite an accomplishment that after 5 days she’s gotten this far!

I reinforce her good behaviour by praising her and giving her a treat when she lets him sniff her and doesn’t even flinch, I don’t know if it’s helping or just confusing her but it certainly isn’t hurting xD

Bright Eyes seems curious about Maggie (he gets especially weirded out when he comes in contact with her twitching tail). On occasion he’s chased her away, grunting at her in anger for I guess being in his territory, and he tried to mount her once, but for the most part he just seems curious of her and although keeps his distance, is a lot more willing to approach her (he is definitely a dominating buck!) He even tried to climb on her today! (I guess because she’s soft and warm, it’s like cuddling another somewhat larger bunny xDD)

Anyways so I have high hopes that these 2 might even make good companions for each other… Especially if I’m able to get him neutered.. Does it sound the same to you guys? How long has it generally taken your non-rabbit pets to get used to your rabbits? Did it take time, or was it an instant bond?

[Bam]

I don’t have a cat, I have a dog. I didn’t let Bam (rabbit) free-roam until after a month or so. My dog is obedient but she did believe that rabbits are strictly for chasing. I don’t remember when I let them be alone togetaher, free roam. Probably after a month or so. The rabbit has plenty of places he can take refuge in where the dog has no chance of getting to him.

They pretty much ignored each other for a year. Then Bam fell in love with dog. After about a month of hormonal inconveniences I had him neutered. Then they went back to not taking much notice of each other. Dog steals Bams carrots if she gets the chance, but since Bam is on a diet he doesn’t get carrots anymore. So now dog’s taken to stealing his cabbage. Other than that they lead their separate lives but in the same room.

 

I want to add: I too gave my other pet treats when she behaved around the rabbit. I think it’s a good idea, not just to forbid bad behaviour but to reward good behaviour. If being nice and friendly to bunny is rewarding, there is a better likelihood that the good behaviour is kept up. Of course it was only in the beginning I gave my dog treats, you don’t have to keep feeding treats once the good behaviour has become a habit with your cat.

 

The mounting can of course be troublesome, rabbits don’t take no for an answer. That might piss off your cat.

[PeachyCream]

lol well he’s only tried it once. I think he’s a bit of an older rabbit, so he’s not overly frisky… only sometimes xD

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m glad they seem to be getting along. I have 2 cats and 2 rabbits and they, for the most part, ignore each other. Sometimes Olivia bunny will try to play with my youngest cat but that usually just freaks my cat out and she leaves.

Most cats will co-habit peacefully with rabbits. Sometimes they become friends and it’s sweet to see pics of bun and cat snuggling, but for the most part, it’s just an “ignore each other” relationship.

Make sure to keep Maggie’s nails clipped short, just in case. Cat scratches on bunnies can become infected.

[PeachyCream]

oh yeah, definitely… We have to keep her nails clipped anyways because she has a weird claw.. I also figured out how to properly make it so that Bright Eyes will stay still (wrapping him in a towel like a little burrito… makes him calm and looks too cute xDD) so now we’ll have to cut his nails because they are getting quite long…

[PeachyCream]

p.s. Maggie is really good, they were actually lying butt-to-butt yesterday and she seemed quite comfy….

[LittlePuffyTail]

Aww….sweet. We need pictures now.

[PeachyCream]

Lol when they do it again I’ll be sure to take pictures and show you all..

[Author]

Messages