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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Dog and rabbit playing?

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    • Shianne
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        I got my rabbit when he was a few weeks old so he has grown up around my big black lab who was gentle with him and never really payed any attention to him when he was running around. My rabbit never seemed scared of the dog and would actually try and play with him and get him to pay attention to him. Now, a year later, I have gotten a puppy who likes to “play” with my rabbit. She is not aggressive with him but she loves to chase him. My rabbit will run behind the couch and then come right back out and run through the living room and behind the couch over and over with the puppy chasing him. Sometimes he will wait for her in plain sight to get her to chase him, it seems. He doesn’t seem to be afraid and when he’s had enough he just stays behind the couch and comes out when he’s ready to go back in his cage. Does this seem like playing behavior?


      • SnickerBun
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          Yes, my rabbit and dog are best friends. I have a shih zuo so quite a smaller dog but she plays the same way and my bunny loves to be chased around. He binky’s like crazy the whole time she’s chasing him. Sometimes my dog does get too riled up and we have to tell her no but, this sounds like just playing behavior to me. I would just keep a close eye on them when they are doing this because it could probably get out of hand rather quickly. Most dogs don’t really understand how to play with bunnies. But, If your bun didn’t like it, he wouldn’t keep coming out and waiting for your dog to chase him. Sounds like they are just having fun to me


        • Bam
          Moderator
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            It sounds like playing behavior. If your bunny were afraid, he’d hide under the couch and not come out at all.

            Be a bit cautious though, because sometimes a bunny running can make a dog go into hunting-mode. It’s not sth they decide to, it’s an instinct. The bunny should have a place where the dog can’t reach it even if it wants to. Like a couch that’s too close to the floor for the dog to crawl under etc.

            I have a dog and two rabbits, it’s not been a problem. But they don’t play, my dog was an adult when I got the buns. They hang out though. And there are places my bunnies can be unreachable, should they ever feel the need to be.


          • Hazel
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              It’s hard to determine if it’s play or not on your rabbit’s part without seeing their interaction. As bam said, if he comes back out from behind the couch, he might not be scared, but then again, if he’s actually in a panic then he might just be running aimlessly.

              Whatever the case may be, personally I would not allow this to go on. Rabbits and dogs or cats can be friends and hang out together but that doesn’t mean anything goes. I agree with bam, games like this can quickly turn serious if the instincts suddenly kick in. If the rabbit for whatever reason does get scared, he could give himself a heart attack before you even realized that he’s not playing anymore. You’re allowing them play out a “predator hunts prey” situation. I don’t think it’s a good idea, so many things could go wrong in a split second.

              Our cat and rabbit are good friends and they spend time together every day, but we made sure the cat understands how she’s expected to behave around him. As long as she’s calm, they can hang out. If she gets antsy, bunny time is over.

              Dogs are smart, I’m sure you could teach her to be calm around your bun in no time. Clicker training helped us a lot.


            • Boing
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                I wouldn’t allow this – the risks outweigh the benefits!


              • BB & Tiny
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                  I would like to relay how quickly a situation can turn serious. I had BB a week when the cat ( who BB chased and bit ) was eating and BB hopped over to see what he was eating, ended up in said cats mouth. In a split second and i was standing right there. I had to rip the cats hair out to make him release BB who miraculously had not a scratch or puncture on him ( I rushed him to the vet immediately. )

                  He did however smell of tuna for an extended period of time !

                  I never bonded the cat and bunny. The first time I laid eyes on BB was when he ran up to the cat outside and to my knowledge was abused by cats outside. I have no idea how he survived outside on his own. I don’t even like to think about it.

                  The cat will nap on the couch if the bunnies are in their pen but he wants nothing to do with them.

                  Although what you describe sounds like a game, be very careful please.

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              Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Dog and rabbit playing?