How to Introduce a Cat to a Rabbit

As of 2000, approximately 2.2 million households owned over 5 million rabbits throughout the United States, according to Pet Finder. Many of these same homes own other small pets, including cats. Rabbits are naturally social animals, and will warm up to cats. In turn, many cats will befriend rabbits, leading to a lifelong friendship. You must take great care when introducing a new rabbit into an existing cat household to ensure that the two pets do not harm each other.

Things You'll Need

  • Rabbit cage
  • Food and water bowl
  • Cat leash
  • Separate litter box
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Instructions

    • 1

      Quarantine the rabbit for at least 30 to 60 days before introducing it to any cats. Keep the rabbit caged in a separate room or building and feed it from separate bowls. This will ensure that any potential illnesses carried by the rabbit are not spread to the cat.

    • 2

      Bring the rabbit and its cage into a shared space in the home. Allow the cat to sniff around the cage and interact with the rabbit through the bars. If the cat does not attack the rabbit, allow it to remain in the room with the caged rabbit for 30-minute intervals. If the cat attempts to attack the rabbit, separate the two and try again the next day.

    • 3

      Continue to allow the cat and rabbit to get to know one another through the cage for another week.

    • 4

      Remove the rabbit from the cage and allow it to sit on the ground. Bring the cat into the room and allow the two to interact. If you are still wary of the cat, place it on a leash to provide more control.

    • 5

      Continue to allow the cat and rabbit to interact supervised until they are completely comfortable together. Eventually, many cat-and-rabbit pairs will begin to play together, sleep together and groom each other.

    • 6

      Allow the rabbit and cat to remain together unsupervised only after they are completely comfortable with each other. Feed the cat and rabbit in separate areas, as cats tend to be food-aggressive. Do not allow your rabbit and your cat to share a litter box.