Two hops forward, one step back
Who remembers the Paula Abdul song, "Opposites Attract?" Or maybe I'm showing my age-- I was an all-out 80's kid!
Well, we are still in the introduction mode in our house for our cat meets rabbit story. Georgie the lionhead is still getting used to his new surroundings and prefers to stay in the playroom or hop into our bedroom to burrow under the bed. He's curious about us, especially my two kids, but he certainly hasn't started snuggling with us or with the kitty, Pikachu.
BUT I haven't heard him thump at our cat in over a week! That's progress, right? Riiiighhht?
I'm continuing to read up on bunnies and cats and we are taking it slowly. We had to have a cat and bunny sitter last week when we were out of town, so I feel like we had to start over again with trust this week. But last night, Georgie gave me a kiss on the forehead after I gave him his mixed green salad. He then hopped away before I dared pet him, but again, I'll take it!
Onward and upward!
~Julia
Rabbits & Cats: Advice from the House Rabbit Society
This article was written by the HRS Licensed Educator who inspired me to create this blog in the first place, Amy Ramnaraine. It first appeared on rabbit.org, and is reprinted here with her permission. Enjoy!
Indoor house cats typically will peacefully coexist with pet rabbits if given proper introductions and supervision. Some even develop close friendships.
Exercise caution during introductions. If kitty is aggressive or rabbit is scared, stop the interaction. A majority of rabbit and cat introductions don’t run into any major issues.
Start with bunny in a large cage, one with bars too small for the cat to reach in. Bunny should have room to run around and stand up – movements kitty needs to become accustomed to. Provide a cardboard hidey box inside the cage so bunny can feel safe inside. When both are comfortable with each other’s movements and smells (this can take days, weeks or months), move forward with your introductions. Hold kitty on your lap and let bunny investigate at his own pace. Continue short sessions until everyone is feeling comfortable and peaceful together. If bunny is new in your home, don’t begin introductions until she is feeling confident and comfortable in her new environment.
Don’t be surprised if bunny is the dominant personality in the relationship. Rabbits can be bossy and territorial, sometimes causing a wary, defensive reaction from kitty. Ideally, kitty will leave if the bunny is being too bossy but watch out for defensive swipes — this is the most common way for a rabbit to be injured by a cat companion. Provide a safe place of retreat for each animal. A cat tree for kitty and a wooden hidey box for bunny work great.
Cat claws and mouths carry harmful bacteria. Even a playful swat or love bite to your rabbit can cause a serious abscess (infection). Trim claws monthly. Consider using claw covers.
Don’t use clumping cat litter. Clumping cat litter is dangerous to rabbits, as they are likely to ingest it and cause a deadly intestinal blockage.
Keeping a high-prey-drive cat or dog separated from a pet rabbit is critical but difficult and dangerous. A split-second accident can be fatal for the rabbit. If you think a cat or dog is not trustworthy with a small animal trust your gut. Trying to keep them forever separated in the same home is incredibly high risk, and this approach has failed many times.
By Amy Ramnaraine, House Rabbit Society Licensed Educator, MN
Indoor house cats typically will peacefully coexist with pet rabbits if given proper introductions and supervision. Some even develop close friendships.
Exercise caution during introductions. If kitty is aggressive or rabbit is scared, stop the interaction. A majority of rabbit and cat introductions don’t run into any major issues.
Start with bunny in a large cage, one with bars too small for the cat to reach in. Bunny should have room to run around and stand up – movements kitty needs to become accustomed to. Provide a cardboard hidey box inside the cage so bunny can feel safe inside. When both are comfortable with each other’s movements and smells (this can take days, weeks or months), move forward with your introductions. Hold kitty on your lap and let bunny investigate at his own pace. Continue short sessions until everyone is feeling comfortable and peaceful together. If bunny is new in your home, don’t begin introductions until she is feeling confident and comfortable in her new environment.
Don’t be surprised if bunny is the dominant personality in the relationship. Rabbits can be bossy and territorial, sometimes causing a wary, defensive reaction from kitty. Ideally, kitty will leave if the bunny is being too bossy but watch out for defensive swipes — this is the most common way for a rabbit to be injured by a cat companion. Provide a safe place of retreat for each animal. A cat tree for kitty and a wooden hidey box for bunny work great.
Cat claws and mouths carry harmful bacteria. Even a playful swat or love bite to your rabbit can cause a serious abscess (infection). Trim claws monthly. Consider using claw covers.
Don’t use clumping cat litter. Clumping cat litter is dangerous to rabbits, as they are likely to ingest it and cause a deadly intestinal blockage.
Keeping a high-prey-drive cat or dog separated from a pet rabbit is critical but difficult and dangerous. A split-second accident can be fatal for the rabbit. If you think a cat or dog is not trustworthy with a small animal trust your gut. Trying to keep them forever separated in the same home is incredibly high risk, and this approach has failed many times.
By Amy Ramnaraine, House Rabbit Society Licensed Educator, MN
Adopting Georgie and Meeting Pikachu
Hello!
I'm Julia, known by the blogging world as Frantic Mama. Life just got a little more frantic in my house, but a LOT more fun! I have two young kids and an awesome calico cat.
We adopted Georgie the Lionhead Bunny from the Minnesota Animal Humane Society on Valentine's Day. Cute, right?
My daughter holding Georgie for the first time, pre-adoption. He doesn't really like to be held, so we are pretty much hands off with him now that he lives with us. We are giving him his space and letting him come to us.
Full disclosure: I didn't know much about bunnies when we first met Georgie. But I'm a quick study, and I did my research. He now has free reign of our entire upstairs, and the safe, baby/bunny-proofed playroom is pretty much his domain. He couldn't believe it when he first realized he got to hop as fast as he wanted up and down the hallway and all around his room. I almost cried I was so happy for him.
Did I mention our kitty?
I'm Julia, known by the blogging world as Frantic Mama. Life just got a little more frantic in my house, but a LOT more fun! I have two young kids and an awesome calico cat.
We adopted Georgie the Lionhead Bunny from the Minnesota Animal Humane Society on Valentine's Day. Cute, right?
My daughter holding Georgie for the first time, pre-adoption. He doesn't really like to be held, so we are pretty much hands off with him now that he lives with us. We are giving him his space and letting him come to us.
Full disclosure: I didn't know much about bunnies when we first met Georgie. But I'm a quick study, and I did my research. He now has free reign of our entire upstairs, and the safe, baby/bunny-proofed playroom is pretty much his domain. He couldn't believe it when he first realized he got to hop as fast as he wanted up and down the hallway and all around his room. I almost cried I was so happy for him.
Did I mention our kitty?
This is Pikachu, former barn cat turned cherished princess of our home.
Pikachu is the BEST cat ever. I am very, very biased, of course. But she is super calm, friendly, and loves attention and even loves my two young children. She shows zero aggression and is just an overall chill, happy cat.
Georgie and "Peeks" will be best buddies, right???
Not yet.
We are slowly exposing them to each other. Pikachu mostly observes Georgie, and Georgie occasionally hops a little closer to the kitty. Often, he gets startled when he gets too close, offers a big thump, and hops away. Pikachu then looks a little dejected...
I'm not giving up anytime soon. Stay tuned for more of my story on Cat Meets Bunny!
~Julia
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