This morning when I opened the front door, my cat brought in a half eaten jackrabbit and dropped it at my feet. I of course freaked out and disposed of it. Is it safe for my cat to be eating these?
2007-12-07 02:29:10 · 29 answers · asked by Perplexed 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
IT SHOW THAT THE CAT LOVES YOU AS THE OWNER FEEL THAT IT SHOW SHARE WITH YOU BRING HOME THE HUNT LOOK IT UP ASK YOUR VET WILL TELL YOU THE SAME THING
2007-12-07 02:33:25 · answer #1 · answered by reddjoker1 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's not necessarily dangerous, but there is the possibility that he could pick up parasites or something else unwanted. If he's up on all his shots, and he gets a regular check-up by the vet then he'll likely be just fine!
Also, as many have pointed out your cat was trying to give you a gift. You should be sure to praise him when he does this. (Even if the gift in question grosses you out.) To him it's an act of love.
Finally, he's a predator and rabbits are prey. He's just doing what he's built to do. Sounds like a great cat!
2007-12-07 11:01:25 · answer #2 · answered by danl747 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a sign of affection and respect and of course also love. She cares for you and this is one of her ways of showing you.
My friends had a cat (Jenny) who was very small probably no more that 6lbs her whole life, she was just a tiny cat. She use to hunt and bring down jackrabbits around their house. She never had a problem. Of course she was up to date on her shots and such, which all cats should be, but other than that she was fine. When we lived farther out in the country our's also use to bring us snakes. They'd kill the poisonous ones (all of them) and leave the non poisonous ones alive after they played dead. They NEVER brought a live poisonous snake int our house. They're very smart.
You did everything right in my book, just make sure kitty stays current on all their shots and vaccinations. And you'll do fine.
2007-12-07 12:47:36 · answer #3 · answered by Domino 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We can theorize either way:
1. Yes, its safe, assuming cat is up-to-date with immunizations.
2. No, it is not safe. If cat is indoor cat, may not have been exposed to whatever microbial flora is present in the jackrabbit, especially if jackrabbit was killed by another animal.
My final answer: Ask your vet.
My bigger concern is exposing your and your family to the dead (for an unknown amount of time) jackrabbit...
2007-12-07 10:36:24 · answer #4 · answered by DrFlyMom 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The only issue you may have is worms. Sometimes the wild birds or rodents will have eggs or larvae on them from fleas or mosquitos and your cat can get parasites from them. Otherwise, it probably won't hurt him.
By the way, he brought you what he considers a "gift" and probably expected some praise for that...my cat used to do this to my mom at the back door many fine summer mornings when she was on her way to work...drove her nuts!
2007-12-07 11:09:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think about it, if you didn't offer your cat a nice home with all the food he could want he'd be eating these anyways. It's very instinctive for him to do this. If he brought it to you, he was probably bringing you the rest of it as a gift. (I have a feral male cat that I feed and so far I've recieved 2 squirrles) What you did is probably the proper course of action. Just get rid of it, but don't punish him for it. You don't want him to be afraid to hunt if something ever happens and he has to fend for himself. I'd also make sure you clean his paws and muzzel just to keep the germs out of your house. You should feel glad that your kitty loves you enough to share!
2007-12-07 10:41:09 · answer #6 · answered by Mommy to Boys 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your cat is very nice to have shared the rest with you. My cat eats it all and leaves the guts for us. Sorry for the nasty stuff.
Cats are carnivores which means they eat meat. So yes its perfectly fine with your cat to be eating the jackrabbit. : )
2007-12-07 12:23:14 · answer #7 · answered by Randomosity 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your cat brought you a gift!
He could have kept the prize for himself but he wanted to share with you.
Rabbits do Carrie fleas and intestinal worms so do keep an eye on your beloved!
2007-12-07 10:33:56 · answer #8 · answered by Teresa 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
um...i dont know.. i dont think i would really like my cat bring stuff like that home... usually they kills birds or chipmunks or something i have never seen a rabbit being killed by a cat before so that is a little obsered... as far as getting the cat sick though...i mean if he/she has all their shots i wouldnt worry... i meen whats really the differeance between and chipmunk and a rabbit besides the fact the rabbit is bigger? the rabbit could carry something but so cant the chipmunk... so eaither way look at it like she brough you home a prize or something and tell he/she that it is a good kitty...
2007-12-07 10:46:41 · answer #9 · answered by nessie86 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well tell the cat to go get the other half and make a stew,!.
And yes is probably safe for the cat to eat them, other animals do. Cats are natural born predators.
2007-12-07 10:31:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Every year when you bring him to the vet for a wellness check they'll take a stool (poop) sample and check for worms/parasites. It's possible eating wild game will get him infected, but the vet will help you keep on top of it.
2007-12-07 12:24:15 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋