Dog, Cats and Bunnies, Oh MY!
I pulled this article from my old site to publish again. Why? Because it's one of the questions that breeders get asked most often. Can I have a bunny if I have a dog/cat/other pet? I have had customers that keep their pets far apart, and others that managed to seamlessly blend their bunny into a bigger pet family. But for those who are considering diving into this situation and aren't sure what to do I've rounded up some good advice. My good friend, Diane Hook, was kind enough to share her expertise and her own experiences with acclimating bunnies to other pets and teaching them to co-exist. Read on, and then if I were you, I would treat yourself to a look at her site and the fabulous job she does with her hollands at Hooks Hollands!
Will a bunny get along with my other pets?
So, you’re thinking of adding a bunny to your household menagerie but are concerned that Fido might fetch your new furry friend instead of a stick, and that Whiskers will be stalking little floppy ears while he/she sleeps. The question is, CAN rabbits be successfully integrated with cats, dogs, and other pets? Unfortunately, the answer is neither simple nor cut-and-dry. You really need to know your pets’ personalities and carefully monitor introductions before determining if the situation is ideal. Your pets may be completely fine together, or you might have to alternate who has free reign in the house.
DOGS
Probably the most difficult run-of-the-mill situation is a family that already has one or more dogs and wants to have an inside bunny. Considering the size, breed, and temperament of the dog is imperative in evaluating compatibility. Small dog breeds and young puppies, in my opinion, have the best chance of learning that bunnies pose no threat to them and should be left alone. Of course, there are exceptions, and it truly depends on the particular dog’s personality and tendencies. Some large dogs who are very laid back might do well with a rabbit, but this isn’t always the case.
For example, our labrador retriever Lucy can’t seem to shake her instincts as a bird dog and has killed several of our smaller chickens and turkeys. At four years old, the clichè you can’t teach an old dog new tricks seems fitting, so she isn’t allowed near the bunnies (but she does earn her Kibbles by effectively controlling the mouse/rat population attracted to all the grain we store on our farm).
Next, we have our two-year-old German Shepherd, Bertha. This girl is about as obedient and laid back as shepherds come, which is likely due to her lineage, as her parents and many siblings were medical service dogs. She runs loose whenever we are home and is a great livestock guard dog since we taught her as a puppy that chickens were her friends, not her food (though poultry is ironically the first ingredient in her dog food). Bertha is allowed in the vicinity of the bunnies and seems curious, but I still watch her very closely and wouldn’t ever let her near a loose bunny without constant supervision. I’ve seen her shake a woodchuck to death faster than a famished monkey peels a banana, so all it would take is a poor decision and a couple seconds to seal a bunny’s fate, and I’m not willing to take a chance.
Finally, we have our six-week-old white German Shepherd male puppy, Diesel. This little guy has a pretty good chance at being compatible with bunnies IF he is frequently and consistently trained in how to interact with them properly. He needs to be taught not to play roughly with the bunny or chase it, both of which will be difficult but not impossible. I wouldn’t advise allowing a puppy to practice his/her instincts of chasing any small animals if the goal is having a bunny bestie. Thankfully, our little guy seems perfectly content with rabbits, for now, but the situation calls for constant scrutiny.
CATS
Cats are a bit less threatening to bunnies than dogs due to their smaller size and aloof personalities. Unless your cat is a closet-case MMA fighter, it will probably either leave the bunny completely alone or simply watch curiously and take an occasional playful clawless swipe.
Our white cat Paisley is a prime example. She is only a few years old, so is still playful and curious. She is always nearby when the bunnies are in the house, but she doesn’t really interact with them. Furry Kitty, our 12 year-old cat, has the personality of a wet dish cloth and won’t go near the bunnies.
On the other hand, if you have an outside cat with a nasty “what you lookin’ at?” attitude and is used to catching his/her meals, I would be extra cautious introducing a pet bunny into the equation. Our outside cats have proudly presented us with large wild rabbits (or parts of rabbits) on our doorstep, so it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that they would hurt a sweet little Holland Lop bunny.
Final Thoughts
To sum it all up, you really need to carefully consider each of your pet’s personalities when determining if a bunny could be successfully introduced into the mix. Factors such as the dog’s size, instincts specific to that breed, and temperament are all important parts of the equation. Cats are generally accepting to a bunny, but again, it depends on your particular cat. Even if you determine that your pet is calm and gentle enough to be around a rabbit, constant vigilance is imperative in order to keep the bunny safe. If you are willing to dedicate a lot of time and perseverance into ascertaining the smoothest transition possible for all pets, then it just might work out, but you also need to have a back-up plan in case the bunny isn’t a good fit for your situation. If you have a spare room to make the bunny’s own personal space, that can be a good option if your furry friends aren’t willing to sit together and sing Kumbaya by the campfire.