This cat blog will answer the major question, “Can cats eat rabbits?” we will also discuss the major reasons for cats’ attacking rabbits, the threats of consuming dead rabbits for your cat, and what you can do to keep the rabbits safe from the cats.
Can cats eat rabbits?
Yes, cats can eat rabbits. Cats are obligate carnivores who feed on animals to fulfill their needs. They do not eat vegetables and fruits but rather eat animals that eat vegetables and fruits. They like to hunt even if they do not have the intention to eat the rabbits and other small animals.
What are the major reasons cats attack rabbits?
Following are the major reasons for cats attacking rabbits:
Feed the little ones
If the cat has a litter, especially the feral cats who have very limited food to eat, then the mother cat will hunt rabbits to give them to its kitties. In the wild, cats are hunters and they hunt small mammals and birds to eat.
Cats are obligate carnivores, they fulfill their protein needs from meat rather than plants and fruits. You should be able to feed your domesticated cat properly if you have rabbits too in the home.
Likes to hunt
Cats like to hunt because they are hunters in the wild. It is not only humans that hunt for fun cats do this too. In the house, you have seen cats pouncing on inanimate objects and tearing them apart. This basic instinct of the cat needs to be fulfilled in the home.
You should buy cat toys for your cat so that your cat is distracted.
Fear or jealous
Your domesticated cat will attack your pet rabbit because of fear or jealousy. Cats are pretty animals. They do not want to share the love of their owners. If you bring home rabbits then make sure you properly introduce both of the pets to each other. You should also make sure that you give equal amounts of care and love to both of your pets.
What are the threats of consuming rabbits for your cat?
Following are the threats of consuming rabbits for your cat:
Tularemia
The first problem is bacterial infection tularemia. It is a deadly condition and the bacteria is present in the dead rabbit. Humans do not eat dead animals but cats do.
The next condition your cat can face is stomach upset which is due to the overconsumption of dead rabbits and digesting the meat of the rabbits but too much can cause problems for your cat. Following are the clinical signs of stomach upset in your cat:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Abdominal pain
Worms
There are many worms present in the rabbit. If your cat eats the uncooked meat of the rabbits, the worms can spread to your cat.
Once the worm enters the body it can make its way to the intestine and grow there. If your cat happens to consume the eggs of the worms, it will hatch in the intestine and the worms will come out. They become mature and will attach to the intestinal wall which can hinder the absorption of nutrients from the intestine into the bloodstream.
What can you do to keep your rabbit safe?
Following are the things you can do to keep your rabbit safe from your cat:
Install cat-proof cages
Keep your rabbits in cat-proof cages or areas which are strong enough to bear the force of a cat’s bite. Moreover, it should be placed in an area where there is limited movement of your cat.
Lemon and vinegar
Cats do not like the smell of vinegar or lemon due to the citric acid in it. You can mix a few drops of lemon or vinegar in water and apply them to the area where rabbits are present. This will do the job.
Cat leash
It is better to apply a leash to your cat if you want to take a stroll with your rabbit. This will keep the movement of your cat limited to the area.
Can a cat bite kill the rabbit?
Yes, a cat bite can kill a rabbit. The cat bite has enough force to penetrate the deeper tissues of the body. The bacteria reside in the saliva of the cat. This bacteria is dangerous for your rabbit. The bacteria from the cat bite can spread into the tissue leading to the death of the rabbit in the house.
Conclusion
In this cat blog, we answered the major question, “Can cats eat rabbits?” we also discussed the major reasons for cats’ attacking rabbits, the threats of consuming dead rabbits for your cat, and what you can do to keep the rabbits safe from the cats.
References
https://www.hepper.com/do-cats-eat-and-hunt-rabbits/
