Rabbits and Cats anyone?

[gabigabi]

Hello everyone, this is my first post. I really enjoy reading the forum and I'm learning a lot about how to take care of my little bun.

When I decided to have a rabbit I was a bit insecure because I have three cats at home - an apartment which one wouldn't call big.

I insisted I could make it, thought, after lots of research (of course I wouldn't risk the well being of a bun just because I wanted one).

Well yada yada it turns out it's actually working. My biggest fear was that the cats would attack the bun but the opposite actually started happening (after weeks apart and getting used to each other little by little). That is now finally stopping.

I wouldn't say they all love each other now but they are bonding and I can let my bunny free to roam the house except when I'm sleeping or at work.

I'd like to ask if someone has a similar experience and if so, if you'd like to share some information and tips on how to strengthen their bond.

Thanks in advance!

 

[neophytical]

Wow, such a cute photo! I'm afraid I don't have any advice but I'm glad this is a thread because I might move into a house soon that has a cat.

 

[JenGibs]

Hello everyone, this is my first post. I really enjoy reading the forum and I'm learning a lot about how to take care of my little bun.

When I decided to have a rabbit I was a bit insecure because I have three cats at home - an apartment which one wouldn't call big.

I insisted I could make it, thought, after lots of research (of course I wouldn't risk the well being of a bun just because I wanted one).

Well yada yada it turns out it's actually working. My biggest fear was that the cats would attack the bun but the opposite actually started happening (after weeks apart and getting used to each other little by little). That is now finally stopping.

I wouldn't say they all love each other now but they are bonding and I can let my bunny free to roam the house except when I'm sleeping or at work.

I'd like to ask if someone has a similar experience and if so, if you'd like to share some information and tips on how to strengthen their bond.

Thanks in advance!View attachment 43359

Awwwww! I have bunnies and cats. The only thing I pay very close attention to is the cats nails. Mine would never hurt a bunny but even with a play “swat” their sharp nails can catch an eye or something.

 

[Alliefan]

I was afraid of the same thing since my cat was used to being on a farm and he hunted baby rabbits. I moved to the city and he's now an indoor cat. I got my bunny 3 months ago and they have bonded nicely. The cat brushed up against the bunny ... she doesn't quite know how to take that but they seek each other out and sleep together at times.

 

[gabigabi]

Awwwww! I have bunnies and cats. The only thing I pay very close attention to is the cats nails. Mine would never hurt a bunny but even with a play “swat” their sharp nails can catch an eye or something.

Very good advice, thanks! I just trimmed their nails

 

[Imbrium]

I wouldn't leave them together unsupervised, as even a surface scratch or small puncture from a bite can lead to a fatal infection (even with aggressive vet treatment) due to the toxins on a cat's claws and in their saliva (as a cat owner, I'm sure you've received an accidental scratch at times that looked pretty nasty for a bit). If you're confident the cats won't ever nip but worried about a playful swat, you might try Soft Paws for added peace of mind when you're in another room.

I can't really help with strengthening their bond, as I never got ours past the "bullying" phase of the relationship, lol. We have five cats and four rabbits. The cats really like the rabbits and seem to treat them like they're just weird looking cats. They even groom the rabbits. These feelings are NOT mutual in our house. I'm far more worried that a rabbit will bite a cat than the other way around! We did try free-ranging rabbits once a few years ago, when we only had two cats (one was 17) and two rabbits. The cats hid from the rabbits in our bedroom. Rabbits were seen peeing on cat furniture, camping out in the cats' litter box like they owned it and even eating dry cat food! They were a full-force bully squad; two little butt-cheeks conspiring against the poor cats at all times.