Cats, Rabbits And New Homes

[BlackRoseThorn]

I'm doing some research about rabbits because I've decided to consider buying a pet rabbit and want to find out if I can look after one with my current situation and lifestyle. I'll explain it as detailed as possible.
I'm moving house in a couple of months so I don't plan to actually get this hypothetical rabbit until at least this July when we're sorted out as we've got a few things we want to do to the new house as well as unpacking and sorting our stuff out and I don't think it would be fair to bring a new pet into such a hectic environment.
The thing is that I already have a pet cat. My cat is already being taken out of his old home so I'm not sure how long I should leave it before another big change. Or if it's even safe to have a rabbit and a cat in the same house.
I've had him since he was a baby so we're the only home he's known. He used to live with his brother who died about five years ago and they mostly ignored each. He doesn't seem very keen on other cats, especially our next door neighbour's kitten who constantly wants to play with him. He mostly stays inside, probably because he is a bit lazy and mostly sleeps. He does hunt a little but it's just mice. He doesn't really fight but sometimes when he's hungry he'll bring his claws out to get my attention (which I do scold him for). He's ten now, he'll be eleven when I'd most likely get the rabbit at the earliest. I say he's closer to middle age but he's considered elderly. He sometimes starts whining in the middle of the night, reasons for which aren't quite clear. He never goes upstairs in our current house but I don't know if he will in the new house (hopefully he won't as the landing isn't very big and he likes to get in the way).
I was hoping someone had some experiences of my situation and could offer me some advice. Like I said, I'm only considering it and trying to find out if I could provide a good home for the rabbit and my cat. Thanks in advance.

[woofgang]

house rabbit or garden rabbit?

[ummmm]

I have some advice. Don't get a rabbit. They chew everything in sight and mess everywhere and they go toilet a lot.

[boxtops]

I wouldn't consider getting a rabbit if it's going to live indoors, it's not fair to the cat nor to the rabbit - the rabbit's a natural target for the cat.

Also,older cats generally (in my experience) don't like kittens who aren't related to them, they are far too energetic for an an older boy to put up with. Older cats do sleep a lot - my three are older than yours and they spend at least 80% of their time asleep. 11's an average age but not that old - but older cats do call in the night, our Rover does it all the time. Can he get out at night? - he's not moaning because he needs the loo?

Take advice from your vet and from the many petcare websites about moving your cat to a new house - you're advised to keep him shut in one room for a few days, with food, water and litter, until the house settles down and he gets used to new smells. Feliway's very good for calming a troubled cat, I wouldnt' be without it now. I certainly wouldn't entertain the idea of the rabbit, to me it's asking for trouble. An intruder and a new house, all in a matter of weeks....

[BlackRoseThorn]

boxtops, he can come and go as he wishes at the moment, obviously he won't be able to for the first week or so when we move but once we're settled into the new house, we're hoping he'll be able to do so again. It's nice to know my cat isn't the only one who likes to be loud in the middle of the night though. I did say in the question that if I were to get a rabbit or any other pet for that matter, it wouldn't be until a few months after the move so it wouldn't be in a matter of weeks.
woofgang, as I'm still trying to find out if it's possible for me to own a rabbit at all, I'm still deciding if it would be a house rabbit or a garden rabbit. At the moment as nothing as been eliminated, we'll just say any rabbit.
ummmm, that wasn't really what I was asking for but thank you for your insight.

[boxtops]

Thanks Rose...... and from experience, ummm is right, we had a houserabbit and we had to follow it round with a dustpan and brush :-)

[BlackRoseThorn]

might not be a good idea to get a house rabbit then... Not until they invent self cleaning carpets.

[DSJ]

We moved house with our cat. Our new house was only a mile from our old one so the cat could have easily walked back if he had been inclined.

We kept him in for the first week. He had his own bed, blanket, etc. from the old house, he was fed the same food that he had always enjoyed. There was no problem whatsoever but we didn't introduce a new pet into our home. I would strongly advise you not to buy a rabbit, at least not until your cat is well settled in your new home. Good luck.

[pixie373]

My sister had a house rabbit, which used a litter tray. They are very clean and trainable. She didn't have any other animals and the time though - I wouldn't trust any cat with a rabbit. There's no reason not to keep one outside, although it may like a companion, too.

[BlackRoseThorn]

my cat never goes upstairs so I'm wondering if they'd be ok if the rabbit was upstairs? Or would they still sort of know that the other is somewhere in the house? And would it be unfair to leave it up there alone? I'd be at college during the day on most days but during the evening and my days off I'd probably be up there a lot but would that be enough company?