Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Ensuring the rabbit's safety
• Part 2 of 3: Following the interaction between the rabbit and the cat
• Part 3 of 3: Living with a rabbit and a cat

Rabbits and cats may seem like unlikely partners - cats are predators and rabbits are prey. However, they can become good friends. Rather than rushing them together, let them get used to each other while the rabbit is in a safe area. If you think they feel comfortable with each other, let them go to get to know each other. The rabbit may assert itself and the cat respects it, or you may need to separate them and give it some time. Follow their lead and let them get to know each other at their own pace.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Ensuring the rabbit's safety

1. Make sure your rabbit is relaxed. Cats are predators by nature while rabbits are prey animals. Rabbits, therefore, will be very wary of cats and can become stressed with one around - something that can affect their health. Your first priority should be to keep your rabbit relaxed.
   • Stress in rabbits can cause intestinal arrest, which can be life-threatening.
   • Be realistic in your expectations. It is rare for cats and rabbits to become "best friends." It is best to get them used to each other first, so that the cat learns not to chase the rabbit, and the rabbit is not afraid of the cat.
2. Start with "scent handshakes". Before arranging the first meeting, arrange "scent handshakes" between the two animals. This means transferring the cat's scent to the rabbit and vice versa so that they get used to the other's specific scent. You can do a scent handshake with a simple cloth.
   • Take a clean facial tissue and stroke one of the animals with it. Then stroke the other animal with the same cloth.
   • Repeat this as often as you can.
3. Keep the rabbit in a safe area. If you are bringing home a new cat or adding a new rabbit to your family, place the rabbit in its own cage. Keep it in the cage until it can get used to the new home or family member. The cage should be large enough for your rabbit to hop around comfortably and it should be provided with comforting materials (such as hay or a soft towel), food and water. Place the cage in a room that the cat cannot access.
4. Allow the cat and rabbit to interact through the cage every day. Allow your rabbit and cat about an hour to see each other every day. Bring the cage to a common area or leave the cat in the rabbit's room. Keep the rabbit in its cage and let the cat look at the rabbit. He can even go to the cage to sniff your rabbit. Stay in the room all the time and watch them interact.
   • This safe interaction gives both a chance to become familiar with each other's movements, smells and behavior.
   • Make sure the rabbit has a place to hide in its hutch if it feels threatened. If your rabbit is hiding from the cat most of the time, return to scent handshakes until it appears more confident.
5. Consider your rabbit's personality. Keeping a rabbit and a cat will really depend on the personality of the rabbit. Your cat will overcome its basic instincts (to chase the rabbit), but the rabbit will make it difficult if it is usually anxious, nervous, or startled by noises or movements. If your rabbit is calm and relaxed, it will likely get along with your cat, especially if it has been exposed to cats before.

Part 2 of 3: Following the interaction between the rabbit and the cat

1. Release the rabbit from the cage. When you think the animals are ready to spend time together, pick a time of the day when they are both calm and relaxed. For example, you can let the rabbit out of the cage when the cat is a little sleepy or has just been fed. Open the cage door so that the rabbit can jump out by itself.
   • The room should be free of other distractions or noises so that none of the pets are startled.
   • Also hold your cat on a harness or even in a carrier. In this way, the rabbit can safely explore.
2. Pay attention to the interaction between the rabbit and the cat. You may want to force a close friendship between your rabbit and the cat, but you need to give them space to sense each other. Try to avoid regulating their behavior so that they don't associate each other with your disapproval.
   • For example, if your cat starts sniffing around your rabbit, don't say, "Get out!" Or "Leave the rabbit alone." Your cat will associate the rabbit with punishment.
3. Give the rabbit a chance to be assertive. If your cat and rabbit have gotten closer to each other, don't be surprised if your rabbit approaches the cat as if it were attacking. If the cat is comfortable with your rabbit, it will withdraw or move away from the rabbit. It is important to assert the rabbit so that the cat will see the pet as a friend, rather than prey.
4. Separate the animals if one gets stressed. If you let the rabbit out of the cage and it tries not to assert itself or it seems scared and runs away, you must put the animal back in the cage. If the rabbit runs away, your cat will likely chase it because it sees the rabbit as prey. Move the cat to another room so that your rabbit can feel safe again.
   • Do not punish either pet. They just need a little more time to feel comfortable around each other before they can start interacting with each other right away.
5. Start from what the pets indicate. It may seem easy to keep your rabbit and cat separate for a few weeks, let them interact with each other, and then give them the freedom to move around, but if your pets don't seem confident, don't rush things. Watch both of your pets to see if they are comfortable, relaxed, and calm around each other before moving on to the next step. This can take weeks or months, depending on your animals.
   • If you think you've gone a little too fast in encouraging interaction, remember that you can always keep them separate in a safe environment until they feel more confident.

Part 3 of 3: Living with a rabbit and a cat

1. Vaccinate your pets. Vaccinate the cat and rabbit against rabies. If one of your pets has already been vaccinated, ask your vet if it's time for a follow-up shot. Rabies can spread between animal species, so you need to protect the rabbit and cat.
   • Don't forget to keep your cat's claws short. If your cat were to scratch the rabbit, disease could be transmitted.
2. Keep their food, housing, and toilet areas separate. Cats and rabbits have different needs. Cats are territorial, so it's important to give them their own comfortable space. Rabbits should not have clumping litter in their toilet area, so you should give them separate toilet areas. Since they have different nutritional needs, you should also keep their food bowl away from each other.
   • If you are concerned that they will eat each other, consider separating them during feeding time. Remove any uneaten food before reintroducing the other pet. This can prevent the spread of disease.
3. Monitor their interactions. Until you are completely sure that your cat will not injure your rabbit, do not leave them alone. You can only leave them unsupervised if you know that they enjoy being around each other, taking care of each other, or laying down next to each other.