My bunnies in the garden 1st time LASTED 5 MINTUES. NEIGHBOURS CAT TRIED TO ATTACK.

Barn Yard Bunnies

Moderator

Staff member

• Apr 25, 2011

• #1

After today I know I will NEVER be able to let the bunnies in the garden again.

There were 4 of us out in the garden, found something to block the gap in the fence and decided to let them out for Sunshines first garden run in this flat and Cutie-pies FIRST TIME EVER IN THE GARDEN.

Sunshine his normal self, as he is used to free ranging in a garden, Cutie-pie was slow and cautious.

Not even 5 minutes and the cat from upstairs come down the stairs. Could not believe it and never seen a cat like this before. He lunged straight across from 10 steps or so right at the bunnies and no doubt about it was going to attack. I screamed. My friends reacted immediately.

Cat was stunned at first but was still willing to attack. We had to keep it at bay and bring them in. Never seen such a preditory reaction to bunnies like this before.

 

L

LoopyLouie

Wise Old Thumper

• Apr 25, 2011

• #2

If the bunnies are not usually out and that's the cats stalking ground, it probably thought it was it's lucky day. I wouldn't give up entirely. The cat may have no clue how to deal with a bunny if it actually caught one! x

 

M

maxxev

Mama Doe

• Apr 25, 2011

• #3

some cats will attack rabbits particularly smaller breeds. though i would love to let my girls freerange in the garden the number of foxes and cats around the area make me extremely reluctant to do so
its one of the reasons mine are house rabbits.
i always put them in a secure run and only when i am physically in the garden with them.

 

Hugo's There

Wise Old Thumper

• Apr 25, 2011

• #4

My neighbours cat will grab rabbits round the throat regardless of size, where as my 5 cats never take a bit of notice of them. Its because of next doors cat that all our enclosures/runs are now completely secure and have been for several years. I don't blame the cat its just the way he is so its up to us to work round him

 

dizzyg

Warren Veteran

• Apr 25, 2011

• #5

You poor thing!!!!!

Not got any advice but wanted to send you love and noserubs to the buns. How were they afterwards?

xx

 

P

paintingasunshine.

Warren Scout

• Apr 25, 2011

• #6

The first night we had out 3 home, I came downstairs in the morning, to find a cat outside the hutch!:O I was terrified
We have them out in the garden and we, like you did, never leave them for a minute. If i were you, i'd try again, and see how it goes
good luck

 

Mackers

Wise Old Thumper

• Apr 25, 2011

• #7

Desparately trying not to comment ....................... :lol:.

 

Barn Yard Bunnies

Moderator

Staff member

• Apr 25, 2011

• #8

Mackers said:

Desparately trying not to comment ....................... :lol:.

Click to expand...

:lol::lol:

Feel free.

I had a cat for 17 and a half years so Sunshine is used to cats. She was absolutely fine with the bunnies, inside and outside of the house. Actually the bunnies bullied her.

At our last place all the neighbourhood cats were fine. Although we constantly supervised them outside.

This cat was completely different. Was definately an intended attack.

 

C

clutterydrawer

Wise Old Thumper

• Apr 25, 2011

• #9

That's a shame. Do you know the cats owners? Would they be amenable to occasionally keeping th cat indoors for, say, 1 hour, at a requested time, so the buns could exercise safely?

 

Barn Yard Bunnies

Moderator

Staff member

• Apr 25, 2011

• #10

clutterydrawer said:

That's a shame. Do you know the cats owners? Would they be amenable to occasionally keeping th cat indoors for, say, 1 hour, at a requested time, so the buns could exercise safely?

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Lovely neighbours. They probably would shut their cat inside if I asked.

I did mention the incident to them but they said, Reg had never seen rabbits before so was probably curious, and they may not taken me seriously. We have a shared garden. The neighbours and the cat have to walk through our garden to get to their flat upstairs.

Actually there are 4 flats and 2 shared gardens. The only way to the 2 flats upstairs is through the 2 gardens.

 

Last edited: Apr 25, 2011

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clutterydrawer

Wise Old Thumper

• Apr 25, 2011

• #11

Well maybe when you're thinking of taking the rabbits outside, it would be worth popping upstairs first and asking if Reg could stay in for a bit Maybe take a small gift, like a tin of sardines.

 

Barn Yard Bunnies

Moderator

Staff member

• Apr 25, 2011

• #12

clutterydrawer said:

Well maybe when you're thinking of taking the rabbits outside, it would be worth popping upstairs first and asking if Reg could stay in for a bit Maybe take a small gift, like a tin of sardines.

Click to expand...

Thanks. Good idea. Have several tins of sardines I am unlikely to open. :wave:

 

A

Azraelm

Wise Old Thumper

• Apr 25, 2011

• #13

I wouldn't let it stop you. Simply spray him with water when he tries to pounce on them, he'll soon get the message.

 

E

emmiiee

Warren Veteran

• Apr 25, 2011

• #14

see i don't have to worry about this! all my cats get on wiht the rabbits tho mr tigs will chase! but i got 2 chocolate labs! they would scare any cats away that they don't know!

 

helennnnnn

Wise Old Thumper

• Apr 25, 2011

• #15

Azraelm said:

I wouldn't let it stop you. Simply spray him with water when he tries to pounce on them, he'll soon get the message.

Click to expand...

Wouldn't suggest doing that, unless you have the cat's owners permission! It is their garden too...

 

Barn Yard Bunnies

Moderator

Staff member

• Apr 25, 2011

• #16

I was thinking, perhaps I could ask for them to bring Reg down into our place and let him see the bunnies in their indoor hutch and see how he reacts again.

The way he moved yesterday was so quick. It was a split second from him seeing the bunnies and pouncing straight at them.

I do not want to take the risk. Anything can happen in a few seconds.

 

E

emmiiee

Warren Veteran

• Apr 25, 2011

• #17

there often only in it for the chase! my rescue cat Mr tigs loves to chase them but then if the bunny stops and he catches up,, hes just like ohh well what do i do now! and then walks off :roll: