We have usually let the rabbits exercise daily outside their run in our rabbit-proofed garden. Have never before noticed cats roaming in our backyard. Until today. Bunnies have hiding places as well as their hutch but were very scared by a visit from a cat, which I chased off. Are cats a real threat to bunnies? Is there any advice to deal with this? I would like to let the bunnies roam free in the garden, which they seem to enjoy, but am a bit worried by this event. Thanks for any advice.
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Rabbits and roaming cats
- Thread starter Morisek
- Start date
mikek
Warren Veteran
yes, cats are a threat. not all of them but I would not risk it at all.
very difficult to prevent them getting in. I have netting and chicken wire but still have the occasional one in. imo unfortunately the only ones that do still come in are those that are the biggest threat as I think the casual visitors are discouraged enough by the wire & netting.
some are just curious but others have been in definite stalking mode.
very difficult to prevent them getting in. I have netting and chicken wire but still have the occasional one in. imo unfortunately the only ones that do still come in are those that are the biggest threat as I think the casual visitors are discouraged enough by the wire & netting.
some are just curious but others have been in definite stalking mode.
Have a pre-loaded large water pistol / Nerf gun to hand and blast any cat coming in. They do get the message, and the bigger pistols have a good range and accuracy. It's quite satisfying and does no harm to the cat, but you have to be persistent until it gets the message. Some rabbits will see off cats, but they are still at risk. Cats get curious and can cause a lot of damage with just a swipe of a paw.
daphnephoebe
Wise Old Thumper
We had cat deterrent machines that would make a high-pitched sound when motion activated. It helped to discourage cats from coming in but I never left the girls unsupervised in the garden despite having these set up.
They didn't seem to bother the bunnies, just the cats.
You still have to consider birds of prey are also a threat and short of putting betting over the entire garden, you cant prevent them from getting in.
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They didn't seem to bother the bunnies, just the cats.
You still have to consider birds of prey are also a threat and short of putting betting over the entire garden, you cant prevent them from getting in.
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Pets mum
Wise Old Thumper
I agree with this totally. I have an indoor bunny, and a cat, they are well used to each other, but I would never ever leave them alone in a room without me being there. A swipe from a cat could have devastating consequences unfortunately.
keletkezes
Wise Old Thumper
Big trees and washing lines are a massive deterrent for raptors too, as they need to be able to leave when they've landed, and quickly, of they become prey to cats too. Goshawks are the only real (UK native) exception to tree and line cover as they hunt in forests. Corvids are a bigger threat IME. But cats are bigger still: we've never had issues with birds here, even magpies (which I love but can be problematic: stabby beaks) but cats send ours into the playhouse and a stamp fest, and one of them grew up with cats :roll:
