Rabbit and Cat Introduction

[RebeccaUK]

Hi Guys

I know I've posted on this topic before but I need your help and advice desperately!

Today I adopted my new cat and brought him home - I was told to keephim confined to one room for the next couple of days so he doesn't getoverwhelmed by all the space. Anyway, he's in my sparebedroom and he's gone under my futon and won't come out - obviously I'mgonna be leaving him there til he's ready to venture out.

In the meantime my bunnies (who live mainly in my hallway/ stairs/landing area) are freaking out - they can smell the cat in the houseand they're darting about and looking all frightened.

I really don't know what to do for the best. Hopefully thingswill calm down when the buns get more used to the cat smell but when itcomes to introductions what do you think would be best? Ihave carry cases for the rabbits and the cat seperately and couldeasily carry either one to the other, do you think when thetime comes I should take the cat to the rabbits area rather than viceversa? Also, bearing in mind the reaction that the bunnieshave shown so far how soon would you recommend doing it? Doyou think I should wait a few days/ weeks til the cat is settled beforethe first introductions or should it be sooner rather than later?

Any advice appreciated

 

[aurora369]

K, I don't have any experience with this, I'm just going by what I've read.

You should introduce the cat on the rabbit's "turf", that way they feelmore secure and will want to show dominence to the cat, rather thanbeing in a new area with a new animal that scares them.

But I don't know which way to go about introducing them, as in whichone to put in a carry case. Hoefully someone with experiencecan answer you fully.

--Dawn

 

[RebeccaUK]

Hi Everyone - here's an update.

The bunnies have calmed down very much - there's no freakiness when they smell the cat now and they're quite curious about him.

i decided to make a mesh gate and put it between the room where the catis and the room where the rabbits are - thought that would be a goodidea for them to have a sniff or each other and get used to eachother. The rabbits have taken to the gate idea very well butthe cat is showing agression towards the rabbits - he is stalking themas they run around on their side of the gate - getting ready to pounchand sharpening his claws!

I'm so frightened that he will never bond with the rabbits and if thisis the case I migth have to consider taking the cat back to the shelter- there would be no way I could keep them apart as the rabbits aremainly house rabbits.

Please please help with any advice or tips to calm the cat down and teach him that the rabbits are not enemies/pray.

 

[mygrl2k3]

Have you tried petting the bunnies and then thecat. Get the scent of the bunnies on that, and then maybe hewill know that the bunnies arent pray. Ihave never had a problem with my cats thinking of the bunnies as pray.Only animal I couldnt get the instinct to stop was my son's mouse..Sadly the cat got him out and the mouse was smashed while I was lookingfor him.My boy cat used to gooutside and kill squirels and bunnies but he has never went after mybunnies.. If anything they chase him.

I hope it works for you. I know how you wanted to give the cat a home.. What did you name him?

Cristy

 

[RebeccaUK]

The cat I actually got was different to the onethey had told me I would be getting - I had my name down for a 12 yearold but the shelter discouraged me from taking him and asked if i wouldtake this one - he is only 2 years old and more of a livewire than theother cat. He is a grey/ brown tabby and he's called Monty.

I really hope that the bonding process works - it's such a worry forme. I've already told my husband that if the cat continues to hunt therabbits then we might have to take him back to the shelter, I know itdoesn't sound very nice but my rabbits are my priority over the cat andthey mean an awful lot to me and I'd hate for the cat to terrorise orworse attack them.

 

[mygrl2k3]

Are you sure its hunting he wants todo?? Is there anyway he is wanting to play since he isyounger? I hope it works.

Cristy

 

[RebeccaUK]

Yeah, he may well be playing with them but I just don't trust him at the moment. The rabbits can be quite territorial.

Last night I had a supervised bonding session...I looked after therabbits and hubby looked after the cat - we took the cat into therabbits favourite room which is a room the cat has never been in beforeand at first he was just interested in exploring but then he went up tothe bunnies...my doe was obviously feeling territorial and she stuckher head out in a confrontation to him when he came close - she wasquite forceful in defending their patch - the cat then pawed at herwith his claws out - hubby was holding him away far enough that hedidn't strike the rabbit but this new development has worried meslightly - perhaps I moved one step too far at this stage and need togo back to seperate rooms with the divider fence.

 

[mygrl2k3]

I really hope it works out.. Sounds like your trying. Keep us updated.

Cristy