As a homesteader or a pet rabbit owner, you must be aware of all animals that pose a threat to your bunnies. Some of these rabbit predators can be easily protected against while others, which are more common, may be harder to deal with.
Can Cats Eat Rabbits
Yes, cats do eat rabbits. In particular, feral cats seem to hone their hunting skills and can be a real threat to any rabbit that is not in a predator safe enclosure.
An Australian based scientific study found that even relatively small body size cats with less jaw strength, or bite force, than bigger cats aggressively hunt and kill prey such as rabbits and other small mammals.
Cats are natural hunters, seemingly ubiquitous, and should be assumed to pose a serious threat to your bunnies.
Interestingly, cats are known to hunt and kill rabbits for sport as well as survival. This means that sometimes a cat will kill a rabbit but will not eat the dead bunny (in some cases this bodes well for the cat, as eating domestic rabbits can result in tularemia).
Without a doubt, your local barn cat, neighborhood stray, and even your pet cat may turn on your rabbit. This is why keeping cats away from rabbits may be key to your bunnies’ health and happiness.
Why Would A Cat Eat A Rabbit
Domestic cats share some deeply ingrained instincts with their wild counterparts, one of which is their urge and skill at hunting. In fact, domestic cats in the US have been found to be deadly hunters of small birds and mammals such as rabbits in their local areas.
Cats are natural hunters that enjoy targeting, hunting, and skillfully killing their prey. What better challenge than a small, agile and frightened rabbit?
We must also realize that rabbits are a part of the natural diet of many wild cats due to their small size and plentitude in the wild. With cats and other rabbit predators, such as fox predators and raccoon predators, prolific in both city and country settings, rabbit owners must be vigilant!
Do Cats Eat Pet Rabbits
A domestic cat, weather kept inside or outside, poses a threat to your pet or homestead rabbits.
An aggressive or hungry cat will not hesitate to target your rabbit as a potential meal or sport. As such, you must take certain measures to protect your rabbit from cats.
Do All Cats Eat Rabbits
No, not all cats will eat rabbits. Some cats and rabbits are best pals. It seems that much depends on how the cat and the rabbit are introduced.
For example, a kitten that grows up in the company of a rabbit is not likely to ever attack that rabbit. This has been the case with one of our rabbits Dewy and Gail, a barn cat that we got as a kitten.
The two grew up in close proximity through monitored interactions and have been super friendly with each other for the past three years! Read more on the nuances of introducing rabbits to cat in our post on Do Cats And Rabbits Get Along.
We view the cat and rabbit relationship similar to the dog and cat relationship. In some instances the animals seem to be naturally compatible and get along very well. In other instances, the animals seem to be naturally adversarial and must be kept away from each other.
See the video below for a nice example of cat and rabbit harmony.
How To Keep Cats Away From Rabbits
Keeping a cat away from your rabbit is as simple as limiting their shared spaces, especially if you have an indoor rabbit. Some helpful tips include:
- House your rabbit in a hutch that is above the ground and away from other furniture or feed containers. This discourages curious cats from climbing and bothering your rabbit.
- Allow your rabbit time outside their hutch in an indoor and/or outdoor space that is cat free.
- Don’t let young rabbits wander inside or outside without supervision, as smaller bunnies are easy prey for cats.
- Groom your rabbits well so that no extra hair is left around, as a cat’s sense of smell is very strong!
- Avoid leaving garbage out and close to where your rabbits are, instead, keep their living spaces clean.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Do Cats Attack Rabbits
Can A Cat Scratch Kill A Rabbit?
If a cat gets a hold of your rabbit and scratches it deeply, these wounds can become infected and lead to serious illness and even death for your rabbit.
If your rabbit survives a scuffle with a cat, be sure to take it to your local vet immediately to clean and dress any wounds or cuts.
Why Does My Cat Kill Rabbits?
Cats are natural predators and most times, after spotting a rabbit, their natural instinct is to hunt and kill it; even if they do not then eat it! The best way to discourage your cat from killing small prey like rabbits is to keep it inside, well-fed, and engaged through grooming and toys.
Can Cats Smell Rabbits?
A cat’s sense of smell is very strong and is a primary tool used while hunting. Cats can surely smell rabbits that are nearby, especially if you do not groom your rabbit often and there is much fur and hair around their living space.
Final Thoughts on Do Cats Eat Rabbits
Keep your homestead and pet rabbits safe by avoiding all contact with cats, domestic or wild.
Best yet, by safeguarding your rabbits from cats you are also automatically safeguarding them from other lurking predators!
Finally (and very contrary to the norm) here is a clip of a cat and a rabbit who are best friends. There are always exceptions!
Pls email me – see contact page – if you have any stories about cats and rabbits!