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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 BEHAVIOR Introducing adopted bunny to rescue kitty

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    • Kodachrome
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        I adopted my cat 2 years ago, he is about 4 years old now (approximate age as they found him a stray). He has been such an easy going mellow cat, always affectionate and friendly with everyone he meets. He was an indoor/outdoor cat but we have recently had to keep him inside full time as he has taken to not coming home altogether for days at a time. About 3 weeks ago, (perhaps I didn’t think this through well enough in the beginning) I came across an opportunity to foster a bunny for a local shelter and I couldn’t turn it down.

        I’ve never had a pet rabbit before, but I figured the cat would adjust and it wouldn’t be a big deal (I’m a big believer of letting pets sort things out on their own). The cat (Bagheera) was intrigued at first and sniffed and watched through the x pen and eventually paid less and less attention to the new fluffy guy (Wicket). We figured this would be a good time to let the bunny out of the pen and have some monitored interactions with the cat (as we wanted the bunny to come out to play and socialize). At first we locked the cat away while the bunny explored and after a couple days we introduced the two very casually. I had the cat cuddling with me on the couch and we opened the bunnys pen for him to hop around. The cat was very interested but stayed with me on the couch, flicking his tail.

        Wicket is a very bold Mr. Rabbit, we do not know his age as he was also found a stray. He explored a bit before hopping right up on the couch to sniff Bagheera. Bagheera swatted him quickly (good thing we keep his claws short) but Wicket stood his ground and got another swat. As I said I believe in letting animals sort things out on their own, so we try to discourage the cat from doing this with hopes that eventually they will sort it out.

        It has been a couple weeks now and Wicket chases Bagheera around, Bagheera sometimes chases back, never to attack (he doesnt really know what to do) but if the bunny gets too close Bagheera swats him pretty good (fur flying :S). But Wicket keeps confronting the cat, I feel that perhaps Wicket is trying to assert dominance? But I am getting concerned that they won’t just sort it out between themselves and that we will have to keep them separated because every time time the cat swats Wicket I feel badly and I worry that one of these times his claws will actually scratch Wicket, injure him and potentially get infected. There have been a couple instances where I am holding bagheera and prevent him from swatting while Wicket sniffs him and Bagheera gets very put off about it and does a low whine (not a growl). And as soon as I loosen my grip he will either swat or run away.

        Can anyone provide insight as to Wicket’s behavior and/or suggestions about socializing them? I am at a loss, dreaming that someday they will enjoy each other or at least be able to be in the same room without being confrontational.

        PS. I should note, we have now decided to adopt Wicket and keep him forever, we love him so much <3 so we realllly want to make this work!

        Thanks


      • Taylor
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        33 posts Send Private Message

          If you haven’t already purchased the House Rabbit Handbook, I would suggest doing that as it has a section about bonding rabbits to cats. My suggestion would be not to let the animals sort it out and to closely supervise these interactions. Sometimes cats swat in an attempt to play, but while meaning well, they can cut the bunny and it’s so hard to see so it could get infected. Cats and rabbits can have really good bonds, strong bonds. I don’t think really your bunny is trying to assert dominance, but it is really surprising that he doesn’t back down! Animals are so much better at perceiving malice in other animals than we are, maybe the rabbit doesn’t think there is any aggression there or doesn’t perceive a threat. I don’t know any of this for sure, but I highly encourage you to buy that book which has been an immense help to me


        • Kodachrome
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            Thanks Taylor, i’ll definitely go pick up that book!


          • Taylor
            Participant
            33 posts Send Private Message

              No problem! I wish you luck bonding your lovely animals.


            • flemishwhite
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              195 posts Send Private Message

                I think the assumption is that because cats are predators, they will take advantage of a nominal prey animal, a rabbit, and the cat can be dangerous for a rabbit. This may not be the situation.

                I’m certainly not an expert here.  But you can read of encounters between rabbits where they can actually be very vicious towards each other.  Rabbits have razor blade sharp incisors and they have hind feet with inordinately powerful kicks with sharp claws.  I’ve read that rabbits can defend themselves against dogs and cats of about their same weight and size. Their defense mechanism is to kick a cat or dog in the face, with their hind feet, and break the cat or dog’s jaw.   We do read that a rabbit may feint when confronted by a predator.  However, from what little I know, a rabbit when confronted by another house pet that it is familiar with, the rabbit will defend itself.

                …………………………………

                Bunny was a ~8 pound rabbit.  She would occassionally thump.  Just to investigate, I put my elbow down on the floor, and then smacked the floor with my fist to duplicate the sound of Bunny’s thumping.  I was astounded.  To make the same thumping noise, I had to hit the floor really hard.  If I hit a cat or small dog with the same force, it would have easily broken their jaw.  My two Flemmish babies…12 pounds??? I don’t know, but their hind legs are much more muscular than Bunny. They become really dangerous to pick up if they start kicking. I collected a lot of scratch marks on my lower arms. The vet commented on how forcefully he had to grab them and wrap them in a towel ….bunny burrito..!  Flemish rabbits are said to be very docile rabbits…well, OK.  But if you pick them up watch out!!! 

                Actually, a reason for getting Flemish rabbits was the thought that I could leave them in the back yard without concern that a cat would attack them.  

                 

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            Forum BEHAVIOR Introducing adopted bunny to rescue kitty