Cats and rabbits are totally different animals: the former are predators, while the latter are prey to many other furry carnivores. But humans have achieved things that nature could never have even imagined. In fact, it is easy to find videos on YouTube of felines behaving in a very friendly way with what their prey should be.
So if you are wondering if the coexistence between cats and rabbits is possible, either because you are simply curious or because you are thinking of adopting one or the other, en Noti Gatos we are going to solve your doubt.
Can you be friends?
The truth is that, if we think about the characteristics of each one and the diet they follow, more than one and more than two are going to say no. And with good reason: if you join an adult cat with a rabbit -especially if it is a small breed- it is most likely that you will have many problems, since the cat's instinct is ... to hunt.
But as we said at the beginning, this situation may be different. How? Very simple: adopting a 2-month-old kitten. The reason is that cats with that age and up to 3 months go through the socialization period; that is, for eight weeks they must interact with other cats, other animals and people to get used to them. And it is in this period during which a cat can befriend a rabbit, since it will not see it as prey.
How to socialize the cat with the rabbit?
If you plan to adopt one or the other, we recommend that you follow our advice:
They must both be puppies
Especially for the cat. Felines, as we said, between 2 and 3 months of age go through a very important period of learning, during which they must interact with all types of animals that their human family wants them to get along (or at least get used to their presence). This will get you out of many problems in the short and medium term.
In addition, when it comes to the rabbit, this is a fast learner animal that must protect itself from predators. Therefore, if you want him to get along with your cat, you will have to adopt him when he is young, and more specifically, before he is three months old. But yes, do not separate him from his mother until he has learned to eat by himself, because that would not be good for him either.
Take care of them and play with them daily
Every day you have to give them food -food for cats to the feline, a carrot for example to the rabbit- both at the same time. But you also have to play with them and be very aware. You should spend time with them, never leave them unsupervised. Even if you have to be away, it is highly advisable to leave the rabbit in its cage - which is as large and spacious as possible - so that it can continue to have contact with the feline but from a safe place.
Feel free to caress one first and then the other. In this way, their bodies will have the smell of the other, and that is very good because in this way they will recognize each other as family.
Here is a video in which you can see a cat and a rabbit having a great time:
Avoid stress and tension
Animals are very sensitive and can be greatly affected by our discomfort. If we bring tension home, it is easy that furry animals are not able to live happily, since it is not that feeling that they 'breathe' at home. In addition, it is important that they are not disturbed, because if there is someone who wants to hold them constantly or forces them to do things they do not want, it should not surprise us that problems arise and that they do not manage to socialize in the correct way.
So, if we are going through a bad time, it is better to go out for a walk, practice sports or do what we like the most, and arrive home calmly so that the furry ones can enjoy our company to the fullest.
How to prevent my cat from attacking the rabbit?
The way to avoid these attacks is to socialize both when they are puppies. If the cat is already an adult when a rabbit is adopted, unfortunately the most normal thing is that it wants to attack it following its instinct. Do not forget that cats are carnivores, they are predators; rabbits, on the other hand, are prey in the natural world.
If we want to change the situation a bit, if we want both to be friends instead of enemies, we will have to adopt them when they are still young; otherwise we will be forced to keep them separated for the safety of the rabbit.
I hope it has been useful to you.