Cats are natural hunters and rabbits are prey animals, so you would not expect these two species to get along. Yet, in this wholesome Instagram post, you learn about a loving relationship between a domestic cat and a pet bunny. It includes plenty of footage of the two of them interacting and seemingly enjoying each other’s company. Take a look for yourself, then read on to find out more about the relationship between cats and rabbits.
Natural Conflict – Cats and Rabbits
Cats are obligate carnivores and must eat meat to survive. In the wild, feline species have to hunt animals, and domestic cats are also very good at catching small mammals and birds. Typically, the mammals that a domestic cat would catch are smaller than a rabbit. Cats prefer to catch voles and mice. However, cats have been known to catch baby rabbits. As natural hunters, cats have instincts to stalk, leap on, and capture prey. Cats hunt even when they are not hungry. This is because, in the wild, it is a mistake to wait to find food until you are already hungry, because you may not find any! Even domestic cats that are fed a nutritionally complete diet may spend hours hunting on some days.
Rabbits, on the other hand, are prey animals and spend a lot of their time trying not to get eaten! They like to hide away somewhere secure if they see or smell a potential predator, including a cat. The stress of being constantly harassed by a cat can lead to intestinal problems in rabbits. However, hiding is not their only defense tactic. Rabbits are quite capable of delivering a painful and lunging bite when they are cornered. Their claws can also give a sharp scratch.
So, it’s clear that the combination of a cat and a rabbit in the same household has the potential to be dangerous for both animals. Yet, in this clip, they are getting along just fine!
Cats and Rabbits as Friends
Cats and rabbits of a similar size get on best.
©Olga Smolina SL/Shutterstock.com
The Instagram post shows that cats and bunnies can get along, but that does not mean that all cats will get on with all rabbits. In particular, it would be unwise to pair a large cat with a small (or baby) rabbit. Conversely, a large rabbit could potentially bully a smaller cat.
Additionally, adolescent cats and rabbits are less likely to get along.
Introductions need to be done very carefully, and they should be kept separate when they are not supervised. It would be a good idea to trim the cat’s claws regularly, as they can cause nasty injuries to the rabbit. A cat’s claws can carry bacteria (such as Pasteurella multocida) from their environment or mouth, which can be transferred to a wound and cause an abscess.
