Kittens & House Rabbits

[APanda]

It looks like the OH will end up with a kitten in the next few days judging by texts and phonecalls I've been receiving.

I've no problem looking after animals and have had cats when younger so looking after it isn't really a worry. Apparently already 'Fully' litter trained but not sure if I believe it to that extent.

Only problem I have really is that we have a house rabbit who's been with us for 4 years or so and is very curious and fairly friendly. But he can be a bit bossy and sometimes aggressive on the odd occasion. Not sure if this is territorial though. Mainly worried about the kitten wanting to 'play' and getting the claws out or it annoying the rabbit so much he lashes out at the cat. Would a cat hunt a rabbit when bigger?

I've only ever seen him with my Dad's dog and he just runs up to him a sniffs and pays him no mind (dog is terrified so doesn't want to play).

So does anyone know if kittens and rabbits are compatible?

And if so, how best to go about it.

[TheBALDpuma]

Wouldn't like to say.

My OHs family cat that lives with her parents used to regularly catch and eat wild rabbits.

However, having a pet rabbit already in the house with a kitten growing up alongside it will almost certainly yeild a different result.

[APanda]

I'm hoping the growing up together thing might work as I know some do hunt rabbits.

Ill ask a few people before she makes a decision.

[Mubby]

My two cats and house rabbit... all get on and don't bother each other!

[The Highway Man]

I have 2 feisty Dutch does, I thought our 13 year old 3 legged tomcat would bother them. I went in the shed last night, the hutch was open as the rabbits have free reign of the garden during the day. The cat was curled up in the hutch with the rabbits and all 3 were washing each other. I've never heard the cat purr so loud!

[andym1603]

We once had a Cat and a kitten bring a rabbit home and spread it about the kitchen. So yes they do hunt them. You might be alright if the kitten is young enough to learn from the rabbit, but the instinct will always be there.

[TheHeretic]

If they grow up together, they should be fine, (YMMV).

[APanda]

Cheers for the responses. Much like what I've been told by people that have them both.

Just tried to introduce them and the rabbit was very unhappy and bolted and stamped even though hes about 3 times the size of the kitten. This was pretty unexpected as I've seen him with dogs and he's fine.

This may be harder than I thought if the rabbit is scared. He's not normally scared of anything so was a bit of a shock.

[The Highway Man]

My 2 were wary at first, once they got used to him they were fine. He can't lie on the path soaking up the sun without the buns lying on him using him as a pillow.

[The Highway Man]

I'm always having to chase the cat out of the buns hutch. I wouldn't mind he has a perfectly comfortable bed on top of the hutch out of harm's way.

[Alapeno]

Thought I'd update this thread. Thanks everyone for the reassurance, I don't even know what we were worried about looking at them now...




And both up to no good in the garden...

[mrmaggit]

Our cat Peep spends more time in the rabbits hutch than he does!