Rabbits & Cats

Question
I am considering adopting 1 or 2 rabbits. I have a well behaved dog and 6 cats.

Will a rabbit share the same litter boxes as the cats?

I know rabbits are social. Will a lone rabbit be happy, or will she be happier with another spayed rabbit buddy?

I plan on buying the largest cage Furplast makes.  Is it big enough for 2 rabbits? Is there a better choice?

I want to plan everything before I make a 15 year commitment.


Answer
Dear Cat (maybe Rabbit) Lady,  :)

"Will a rabbit share the same litter boxes as the cats?"

I don't have cats, but everyone I know who has cats and rabbits together say that rabbits will NOT use a cat litterbox.  They do have their pride.  :)

A rabbit litterbox should be filled about 1" with organic litter (we use Equine or Feline Pine or similar pelleted sawdust product, which is fantastic for absorbing odor) and cover it with a thin layer of fresh, soft hay so the pellets don't feel uncomfortable, discouraging litterbox use.  If you put a nice bunch of hay in the front corner of the bunny litterbox, they bunnies will be encouraged to sit in the box and munch while they do their business.  For more on litterbox training bunnies, please see:

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/litter.html

"I know rabbits are social. Will a lone rabbit be happy, or will she be happier with another spayed rabbit buddy?"

Lone rabbits can be happy if they are pals with the other animals in the house.  But rabbits do thrive in the company of a bonded partner, so I would recommend you adopt a bonded pair (so you don't have to worry about the difficulties of bonding, and the bunnies will already be spayed/neutered).  It's critical for females to be spayed because if not, they have a very high risk of uterine cancer.  Males must be neutered to stop their constant mounting and spraying (which many females also will do if not spayed).

"I plan on buying the largest cage Furplast makes.  Is it big enough for 2 rabbits? Is there a better choice?"

We use playpens made by KW Cages:

http://clover.forest.net/kwcages/index.html

and never smaller than 36" square.  Rabbits need to run and stretch, and this will only be for their resting time.  They will need at least 4-6 hours of free running time per day, just as a dog or cat does.  Our own rabbits are never caged.

"I want to plan everything before I make a 15 year commitment."

You are wise and wonderful!  For all the best rabbit information, please visit:

www.rabbit.org

and start with "House Rabbits 101":

http://www.rabbit.org/care/new-bunny-index.html

For information on introducing dogs and rabbits:

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/1/dogs.html

and for information on introducing cats and rabbits:

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/2-11/cats-and-rabbits.html

You're probably already aware that cats carry on their claws and teeth bacteria (Pasteurella, Bartonella) that can be very dangerous even to humans.  To rabbits, they can quickly be deadly:  even a small scratch or puncture can cause fatal systemic toxemia within 12 hours, so if either bunny acts unexpectedly lethargic or inappetent, be ready to get him/her to the vet for antibiotics that could save the bunny's life.

Hope these articles will help you make the right decision for everyone!  The bunnies who end up with you will be lucky bunnies!

Take care,
Dana