Do trained housecats eat bunnies?

Question

would my housecat eat a bunny

Answer 1

It will vary from cat to cat. Personally, I wouldn't risk it.

Answer 2

This is about as professional an answer to the question, IMO, because it's from www.rabbit.org, THE rabbit site. If you're interested, it has practically anything.

Anyway, here's the link:
http://www.rabbit.org/journal/2-11/cats-and-rabbits.html

This is just the intro, there's more and it's very good info:

A cat and a rabbit really can be friends.

Yes, really. What seems an unlikely combination, given the predator-prey context that first comes to mind, is in fact a common and often rewarding match. The key is to remove that stereotype from your mind and, more importantly, from the environment. In an earlier issue we described some of the friendships that have developed between these two. Now we offer ideas on introducing cats and rabbits in ways that minimize stress for all concerned.

Answer 3

Even though it's a trained house cat, they still have wild instincts. Cats are amazing hunters. I had a house cat for 5 years. He got outside and drug in anything he could catch. I've even had to chase live birds out of my house.

In the case of a rabbit, it probably wouldn't be advised. Unless you keep the pets separate. Make yourself a designated rabbit room. Train your cat not to go in that room before you get the bunny though or the cat will never get used to the idea.

And even after you get the rabbit your cat will be curious about it. It's instinct to hunt. You're cat will most likely get sneaky about the smell. Keep an eye on him.

A cat wouldn't probably have the capacity to eat the bunny but would probably have an instinct to kill it.

Answer 4

Yes. Housecats will happily eat small bunnies. I have one housecat who regularly brings home full sized rabbits that she's chased into their burrows.

If you want to have rabbits and cats, get a bunny hutch.

Answer 5

Yes. I had a cat that was allowed outside and she ate a baby bunny... much to my disgust.
However, I do believe that if you have a pet rabbit and a housecat, that they may become friends. It will require alot of supervision, especially at first.

Answer 6

Never leave them unsupervised. My outside cats will kill anything (not b/c they are hungry, just for the hunt) My inside cats are too lazy, but I still would not trust them unsupervised with any small creatures! It is easy to let them coexist, by only taking the bunny out when the cats are locked in another room, just make sure they don't stand by the cage and scare poor bunny!

Answer 7

probably not
but maybe

a bunny to a cat looks like food
depending on the size of the bunny really small probably
large bunny it would probably like it

I don't really know i haven't experminted yet

hope all works out for you

Sadie

Answer 8

certain i had a similar problem. My bunny chewed the fringe of walls and my friends bunny chewed wires and were given eletric marvel and regrettably died :(. The Bunny is doing this because his or her teeth is starting to be quick and the bunny needs them to diminish so that they dont overgrow in his mouth. This leads it too be very uncomfortable. I advise you purchase your bunny extra demanding large treats to devour and take them on your community puppy save, because maximum of them can reduce your bunnys teeth for the bottom fee of $ 5.

Answer 9

Is he a good mouser? If so go slowly with the introductions. Keep the cat well fed so his natural hunt to eat gene won't kick in. He may play with it to death but most indoor cats would just ignore it.

Answer 10

Yep. My husband had a cat that used to catch and kill bunnies regularly. However, there are also lots of cats who wouldn't kill a bunny.

Answer 11

It's got nothing to do with training; its instinct. My brother in laws german shephard is a very kind, gentle dog but it ate their chinchilla. The vet said it was just instinct...and I'd say a cat is more likely than a dog!!