Do Rabbits and Cats Get Along Together?

What happens when cats and rabbits cross paths? Will fur fly or can a truce prevail? Raising these often misunderstood pets under one roof poses unique challenges and risks that require care, planning, and patience to overcome. But with thoughtful preparation and proper precautions, even natural-born enemies can learn to coexist in harmony. This guide navigates the key considerations involved in introducing rabbits and cats, demystifying the instincts driving their complex relationship dynamics. Get ready for expert tips to increase the chances for cross-species friendship, plus important safety measures to prevent the hazards that can arise when predator meets prey within the home environment. Read on to give your uncommon pets their best shot at success!

Can Cats and Rabbits Live in the Same House?

It is possible for cats and rabbits to coexist peacefully in the same household with proper introduction and supervision. However, there are some important factors to consider before housing cats and rabbits together.

The main concern is that rabbits are prey animals and cats are predators by nature. Rabbits have a strong flight response and can be easily frightened by cats. Even a playful cat can seriously injure or kill a rabbit without meaning to. Cats also carry bacteria in their mouths that can cause serious infection if a rabbit is bitten or scratched.

Another consideration is that rabbits and cats have very different personalities, activity levels, and instincts. Rabbits are crepuscular, meaning most active at dawn and dusk. Cats are nocturnal hunters. Rabbits like to dig and chew, while cats prefer to scratch and climb. These natural behaviors could lead to conflicts if not properly managed.

The rabbit's housing setup is important if there will be a cat in the same home. The rabbit should have its own secure cage or pen where it can retreat if feeling threatened by the cat. Never leave the rabbit unsupervised outside of its housing, even if the cat is elsewhere in the house. The rabbit housing should be located in a quiet, low traffic area of the home.

With preparation, patience, and supervision, some cats and rabbits can coexist harmoniously. But extreme caution is advised, and they should never be left alone unsupervised. Even friendly cats may instinctually go after a running rabbit. It's safer to always separate them when unsupervised.

How to Encourage Cats and Rabbits to Live Together

If you want to encourage a cat and rabbit to live together peacefully, here are some tips:

Start introductions very slowly. Keep the rabbit safely in its cage and allow the cat to first get used to the rabbit's presence and scent from across the room.
Make sure the rabbit has places to hide in its cage/pen so it can get away from the cat if feeling overwhelmed. Provide a litter box, toys, hay, water, etc.
Allow the cat to examine the rabbit's living area while supervised, so the cat loses interest and does not see the rabbit as prey. Use treats and playtime to positively reinforce calm, gentle behavior in the cat.
Once the cat is calm around the rabbit's area, do short, directly supervised introductions. Pet both animals to distribute calming pheromones. Praise and reward any positive interactions with treats.
Provide ample vertical space via cat trees/shelves so the cat has places to perch and survey. This allows the rabbit freedom.
Try to tire out the cat with active play before introductions so the cat is less likely to chase or pounce on the rabbit.
Have a water spray bottle handy to interrupt any rough play. But never yell or punish, as this can make the cat more reactive.
Go very slowly with introductions. Taking weeks or months to acclimate the pets to each other's presence reduces risks. Rushing the process can have dangerous consequences.
Always have a backup plan in case it does not work out despite your best efforts. Some cats have a high prey drive that makes cohabitation impossible.

Introducing a Rabbit to a Cat’s House

Bringing a rabbit into a household with an existing cat requires careful planning and gradual introductions:

Set up the rabbit's housing in a quiet room the cat does not frequent. Allow the rabbit to adjust to its new home for a few days before introductions.
Ensure the rabbit housing is safe and secure – an exercise pen with a top is recommended. Provide hideaways and litter box.
Swap the pets' blankets between living areas so they get used to each other's scent. Also rub a sock on each pet and place in the other's area.
Begin supervised introductions with the rabbit safely in its pen and the cat restrained on a leash/harness if needed. Reward calm behavior from the cat with treats.
Allow the cat to investigate the pen while the rabbit is in a hidy-hole. Use toys and play to distract and redirect any overly curious interest from the cat.
Once the cat is calm and relaxed around the rabbit's area, allow short, directly supervised meetings. Be prepared to quickly intervene at the first sign of aggressive behavior from the cat.
Ensure the rabbit has an escape route back into its pen. Never chase or corner the rabbit during introductions.
Take introductions slowly over a period of weeks/months. Rushing usually results in dead rabbits. Expect this to be a lengthy process.
Unless they have exceptional temperaments, it is safest to never leave a cat and rabbit alone unsupervised. Always separate when you cannot monitor interactions directly.

Introducing a Kitten to a House Rabbit

Here are some tips for introducing a new kitten to a resident house rabbit:

Set up a separate "base camp" for the kitten in a spare room with all needed supplies. Feed and play with the kitten here for the first few days.
Allow the rabbit to examine the kitten's room while the kitten is elsewhere. This helps make the kitten's scent familiar.
After a few days, allow short, directly supervised meetings on neutral territory (not the kitten or rabbit's turf). Monitor body language closely.
Distract and redirect with toys if either pet shows too much interest in the other. Praise calm interactions with treats.
Be prepared to immediately intervene if the kitten stalks, swats or pounces at the rabbit. Gently pick up and soothe the overstimulated kitten.
Provide lots of vertical space via cat trees so the kitten can view the rabbit from above instead of giving chase.
Try to tire out the kitten with active play sessions before introduction time. A sleepy kitten is less likely to pester the rabbit.
It can take weeks or months for a kitten to learn proper boundaries with a rabbit. Take introductions very slowly and do not rush the process.
When unsupervised, house the rabbit safely in its pen or cage where the kitten cannot access. Kittens don't understand a rabbit's fragility.
Unless the pets have exceptionally calm, gentle temperaments, never leave them loose together unsupervised even after successful introductions.

Introducing an Adult or Senior Cat to a House Rabbit

Adding an adult or senior cat to a home with a resident rabbit requires patience:

Set up a separate room as the newcomer's base camp. Feed, play, scoop litter, etc. here for the first couple weeks.
Slowly move the cat's area closer to the rabbit's space. Allow the pets to become comfortable with each other's scents before meeting.
Do short, directly supervised introduction sessions. If the cat fixates on the rabbit or displays other prey drive behaviors, immediately try again another day after rethinking your introduction process.
Consider using a leash and harness to better control the cat during introductions until you know his or her demeanor with the rabbit. Offer treats for calm interactions.
Provide places for the rabbit to hide and the cat to perch up high during sessions. This helps them feel safer and less stressed.
Be prepared to intervene quickly using loud noises or water spray if the cat displays any aggressive behavior toward the rabbit. But never yell at or punish the pets.
An adult or senior cat with past experience living with rabbits will obviously adapt much quicker than one who has never encountered a rabbit before. Take it very slow with the latter.
Feed cats and rabbits on opposite sides of a closed door during early introduction phases so they associate something positive with each other's presence.
Even after successful introductions, do not leave an older cat alone with the rabbit. Their prey drive may kick in unexpectedly. Always separate when unsupervised.

Do Cats Attack Rabbits?

It is quite common for cats to attack rabbits if certain precautions are not taken:

Cats are natural predators, and rabbits are prey animals. This means cats may instinctively want to chase and potentially kill the rabbit.
Even well-fed cats can have their predatory instincts triggered by the sight and movement of a small animal like a rabbit running away.
The noise, smell and activity of a rabbit can overstimulate some cats' senses, triggering them to lash out in attack even if not hungry.
Cats use their claws and teeth in play, which can deeply injure a fragile rabbit even if the cat does not have harmful intent.
Many cats lack appropriate inhibition control due to not learning proper social skills from their mother and littermates as kittens. This makes them prone to impulsive attacking.
Individual cats have varying levels of prey drive, with some showing obsessively high predatory interest that makes living safely with rabbits impossible.
Outside cats are more likely to attack rabbits as they hone their hunting skills on wild prey. This transfers to pet rabbits once allowed indoors.

To reduce risks, all interactions between cats and rabbits should be supervised. Do not assume even a friendly cat will not attack, as instinct may take over. Proper management and introductions are vital.

Do Rabbits Attack Cats?

While less common than cats attacking rabbits, it is possible for rabbits to exhibit aggressive behavior toward cats:

If the rabbit feels cornered or threatened by the presence of a predator like a cat, the frightened rabbit may attack out of self defense.
Mother rabbits are especially prone to attacking cats or other animals if they perceive a threat to their baby bunnies. The maternal protection instinct kicks in.
Rabbits who were abused or terrorized by cats previously can develop lasting fear and aggression issues toward cats.
Even normally docile rabbits may attack, bite or nip cats that invade their space or territory, especially if not spayed/neutered.
Rabbits have sharp teeth and powerful hind legs that allow them to fiercely defend themselves if approached by a cat in a way that seems dangerous.
Single rabbits who have bonded closely with their human guardians sometimes display territorial aggression toward cats, other rabbits, or animals they view as competition.
Despite their prey status, cornered or angered rabbits can inflict painful scratches and bites capable of wounding a cat if the feline is persistent in harassment.

For safety, a rabbit should always have a secure housing area off limits to cats and an ability to flee if a cat approaches. With proper precautions, both species can cohabitate amicably.

Can Cats Get Sick from Rabbits?

Yes, there are certain diseases that can be passed between rabbits and cats:

Rabbits can carry the parasite Encephalitozoon cuniculi that causes encephalitozoonosis in cats. This affects the brain and central nervous system.
Fleas can jump between rabbits and cats, causing flea allergy dermatitis, tapeworms, and potentially anemia from blood loss.
Lice and mites can also be shared by close contact between rabbits and cats. This causes irritation, skin infections, and hair loss.
Cat scratch disease, a bacterial infection, can be transmitted from cats to rabbits if a bite or scratch breaks the skin. This causes wry neck and neurological issues in rabbits.
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is spread through saliva and nasal secretions between cats. But rabbits can also contract this potentially fatal disease from infected cats.
Pasteurella bacteria is common in rabbits and cats. It can cause respiratory infections if passed between the two species through close contact.

To reduce contagion risks, new rabbits and cats should always undergo quarantine and veterinary health checks before introductions. Any shared parasites should also be treated prior to interactions between cats and rabbits in the same home.

How to Keep Cats Away from Rabbits

Here are some tips for keeping cats away from rabbits to prevent injury or illness:

Provide the rabbit with its own large, secure housing that cats cannot access, such as a tall exercise pen. Never leave them loose together.
Use baby gates, screen doors, or closed doors to permit cats into the rabbit room only under supervision, limiting contact.
Place furniture, boxes, or other barriers in pathways the cat takes to 'ambush' the rabbit, blocking access.
Use a leash to restrain the cat during times the rabbit is allowed exercise in the house. Directly monitor all interactions.
Startle or distract cats away from the rabbit using loud hand claps, water spray bottles, or compressed air. But never be punitive.
Apply soft plastic covers to cat claws temporarily to prevent injury if they make contact with the rabbit.
Provide appealing distractions like treats and playtime for cats in a separate area of the home when the rabbit is out.
Use humane cat deterrents like motion-activated alarms or non-toxic scents near the rabbit's living space to dissuade cat visits.
If the cat persistently stalks or fixates on the rabbit despite all efforts, consult an animal behaviorist or veterinarian for guidance on safely managing the situation.

Proper planning and management is key to reducing risky interactions between house rabbits and cats. Their safety depends on the pet owner's vigilance.