Cats?

Question
How dangerous are cats to rabbits?

Thanks!

Answer
Dear Dewey,

Cats and rabbits can coexist happily as long as the cat doesn't have overactive hunting instincts--in which case they must be kept separate.  But even a playful nip or scratch from a cat can inoculate a bunny with potentially deadly Pasteurella and/or Bartonella bacteria, initiating a sysetmic infection that can kill in 12-24 hours with little or no warning.

Even a tiny puncture or scratch can do this, and I would be very careful about letting cats and rabbits play if the cats *ever* use their teeth or claws in play.

Hope that helps.

Dana