Rabbits and cats - are they a recipe for disaster?

[tigwig]

I have a cat aged about 4 that I've had since he was a kitten. At the weekend I took on someones unwanted rabbit. The rabbit lives in the garden but he is coming in the house too at times. Now the cat doesnt like this and seems quite frightened to be honest. Will they ever accept each other or should I not even attempt to have them in same room?

[friedgreentomato]

They will eventually learn to tolerate each other - the cat is used to being on its own - don't force the issue - watch them to ensure that neither the cat or the rabbit gets hurt (rabbits can give some nasty kicks to the cat)

[Old_Geezer]

Cat & rabbit pie eh ? Sounds an interesting recipe. Where did you get it from ?

[tastymorsel]

I had a rabbit that was only ever in her hutch at night.The rest of the time she had the freedom of the house and garden.Both the cat and dog seemed afraid of her initially but soon learned to keep out of her way(easier for the cat to do than the poor dog).Rabbits can be quite boisterous and it will be a bit daunting for your cat at first but I am sure they will learn to rub along.Incidentally,well done for not keeping the rabbit cooped up in a hutch all day.

[Baldric]

I don't know about cats, but I've got a great recipe for rabbits,

[ummmm]

Yeah...they'll be fine. My cat used to just sit and stare at the rabbits. Now he can often be found asleep with them. Sometimes he sleeps in the hutch.

[tigwig]

So rather than the cat 'getting' the rabbit it's likely to be the other way round?! I had visions of turning my back for a minute and the cat attacking him but maybe not!
Oh and I hate the idea of rabbits been cooped up in a hutch all day too. Thats why I took the poor thing. They didnt want him anymore, he had barely any food, the hutch was filthy and had run out of water.
Now he has a large run on order so he can stay in the garden when it's nice and he's also running around the living room like a looney!!

[boxtops]

tigwig, if you get a run, make sure it's a got a wire mesh base. We had one when we were little - the rabbit burrowed its way out :-)

[tigwig]

Mmm I'm not sure if it has? It has a wire mesh roof which is why I chose it rather than the net ones cos the cat would have sat on it and got in!

[ummmm]

Mine are not cooped up but they do like to be. Someone shut the hutch door and I found the rabbits in the cupboard.

One is really friendly and will do anything to get into the house.

[tastymorsel]

Oh yes ! My sister in law had several rabbits in a huge run in the garden.She got up one morning and they had all disappeared leaving just a hole in the ground.Later that evening they all came back.Soo... funny.Little beggars had a mesh floor put in pronto.

[Kiki-frog]

I've known rabbits and cats to live together quite happily, but a lot depends on their respective personalities. If bunny is an entire male, then he may well be quite territorial and bash the cat about - he may also try to have sex with it! So having him neutered might be a good idea. Just keep an eye on them and don't leave them alone together until you are happy they are both comfortable together.

[chaptazbru]

I had a cat and a rabbit together once. The rabbit was very friendly towards the cat and the cat only once tried to smack the rabbit with its paw. I told the cat off and everything was fine after that. Lovely to see them together actually.

[friedgreentomato]

Its a bit of work but my daddy did this when we were kids as rabbits love to burrow - he buried sheets of perspex in the same size has the run!!

they could still burrow but could not escape - apple twigs, logs and huge tubes were also order of the day as rabbits love to play and chew (they need to keep their teeth down) also when in season go to the local market and get them brussel sprouts sticks about a quid really good value for money!