Cats are considerably larger than mice and birds, but would they still attack, kill, and devour larger animals? What about a rabbit? Do Cats Eat Rabbits? The reality is that cats like hunting and killing. They even play a cruel game with their newly captured captives. If a cat can kill a rabbit, you can be sure the cat will take it.
Everyone knows that cats like chasing, hunting, killing, and playing with mice. Most cat toys are even shaped like mice.
If you’ve ever seen a cat pursue and pounce on one of these mouse toys, you’ll understand how much hunting prowess your cat possesses, even though they were born in confinement. To be sure, mice aren’t the only creatures that cats like killing. Many cat owners have stories of their cats bringing them dead birds as a form of remembrance.
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Do cats eat rabbits?
To begin with, cats do not have a penchant for rabbits.
However, they have a prey drive and will pursue after anything that is pretty tiny and moves unusually. Cats are carnivores; this protein should be the primary component in their diet.
In reality, several cat diets contain rabbit meat, and many cats enjoy them. Cats catch and kill rabbits due to their prey drive.
If you have a pet cat and a pet rabbit, and the rabbit is calm and comes up to your feline buddy without making any abrupt movements, your cat may not even show any interest in him.
As inhumane as it may appear to us, when cats catch rabbits, instead of putting an end to their misery, significantly if they have injured them, they will keep the bunny in a state between life and death so that they may continue to play with them.
It’s interesting to note that even domesticated cats that spend a lot of time outside may enjoy going on a hunt now and again. They must maintain their instincts. Therefore it is not uncommon for your cat to deliver you a gift in the shape of a dead rabbit.
With this behavior, your cat expresses her gratitude to you as her owner. It may be painful for us, but it is a gesture of appreciation in the eyes of a cat.
Why Do Cats Kill Rabbits?
Eating rabbits are considered typical predatory behavior for cats. However, it is a risky habit that can lead to Tularemia, often known as rabbit fever. Cats kill rabbits for various reasons, depending on the cat and the overall availability of rabbits in the region.
The cat’s circumstances determine why it kills a rabbit; for example, a well-fed cat kills owing to the desire to hunt.
Other cats, such as wild cats, may do it for the joy of playing while hunting, but others, such as feral cats, may do it for survival. When cats and rabbits interact, the impulse to hunt is awakened, but the cat usually reacts when unsatisfied.
However, not all cats will automatically desire to murder your rabbits; some will leave the dead rabbit unimpeded.
Cats who have been socialized together and share their house with pet rabbits have a stronger connection, so you won’t have to worry about a cat indoors as much.
The excitement of grabbing prey is a thrilling reward after a good hunt while hunting rabbits for cats.
Can A Cat Bite Kill A Rabbit?
Yes, a single bite from a cat may kill a rabbit. The rabbit may try to avoid the assault, but the cat’s mouth is full of germs even if the cat does not immediately kill the rabbit.
The rabbit would very indeed be poisoned and would die as a result of the bite. Unless someone intervenes, the cat will often try to hunt the rabbit until it completes the kill.
If you intervened and separated your cat from its prey, the rabbit would require emergency medical care. Depending on the rabbit’s physical state, you should be able to confine it and transfer it to a hospital comfortably.
So Your Cat Has Caught A Rabbit, Now What?
Suppose you come upon your cat amid a pursuit, attempt to distract or isolate it. Offer a favorite treat or toy to coax the cat inside, or, if safe, physically remove the cat from the position to allow the rabbit to leave.
If given a chance, the rabbit will seek to run and will be uninjured. If the rabbit is unwell, transport it to the doctor after you’ve removed the pet in a tiny cardboard box with a soft blanket or towel inside.
If the cat is not yours and appears to be wild, do not handle or catch it until instructed to do so. When a cat attacks you, it may be pretty hazardous!
Contact a wildlife agency instead, or redirect the cat’s interest away from yourself by tossing candy or food in the other direction of the rabbit. Some programs capture and rehabilitate stray cats, although unskilled persons do not do this on their own.
If you believe your cat is prone to poaching, confine them indoors. Keeping your pet indoors offers several benefits for both the local nature and your animal.
An outdoor cat may be converted to an indoor cat. Even if your cat enjoys being outside, there are still healthy methods to watch him.
Why Does My Cat always Bring Me Dead Rabbits?
Cats typically deliver dead rabbits to their owners to demonstrate their hunting abilities. Some think that it is the cat’s way of bragging to its owners about its hunting prowess.
This type of dead rabbit might have had a few bites taken out of it, showing the cat’s success. When keeping the reward as a treat for later, the arrogant cat may opt to earn a pat on the back from its trainer.
Others say the animal is a gift, a way for the cat to thank their owner for feeding them. Others say the cat is attempting to educate humans to hunt in the same way it teaches its kittens.
Female cats, in particular, may consider their human companions to be relatives and desire to supplement the family’s food supply by hunting and bringing their carcasses home.
They will even transport partially living animals in the hope that their owners will complete the pursuit.
As a result, deceased rabbits should not be treated differently. It’s another successful hunting excursion for the cat.
Can Cats Get Sick From Eating Rabbits?
Yes, your cat can become ill from eating rabbits because rodents eat waste and dwell in rubbish, allowing dangerous germs to enter the cat’s body. If you know your cat recently killed a rabbit, chances are they ate some of it.
If this is the case, you may take your pet to the veterinarian for a check-up, which you should do regularly if you allow your cat to go outside. In general, leaving your cat outside unsupervised for extended periods is not a smart idea.
Not just because of the illnesses that your cat may get, but also because your cat may come across a variety of larger predators and hazards. Tularaemia, often known as “rabbit fever,” is one ailment to look for after slaughtering a rabbit.
Infection is caused by insect bites, contaminated water, or, most commonly, the eating of an infected rat. Cats that consume lizards, rabbits, rats, and other rodents are susceptible to rabbit fever, which is uncommon in most cases of illness.
How To Check Your Cat For Tularemia?
Tularemia causes your cat to have a high fever, as well as swollen lymph nodes in the head and stomach, a painful abdomen, and yellowing of the whites of the eyes.
Temperatures can soar to very high levels, often surpassing 106 degrees Fahrenheit. If the disease is not addressed, it can lead to organ malfunction and death.
It’s critical to note that, in addition to your cat’s health, you and any other humans in your home are in danger of Tularemia. If your cat becomes ill and scratches or attacks another human, they have been exposed to the virus and are at risk of becoming infected.
A blister will form around the bite or scrape in a person in three to five days on average. Tularemia is a recognized disease because it poses a public health risk. This disease should be treated right away by a veterinarian.
It demands the hospitalization of your cat for intensive therapy. To offer your pet the best chance of survival, you must capture it as soon as possible.
If none of the symptoms is evident, you can get your cat examined following the rabbit assault. Even with early detection and treatment, Tularemia has a significant death rate in cats.
There is a distinction between killing a rabbit and eating it.
Most cats kill rabbits. However, not all of them are eaten since they are two distinct elements that must be understood as separate systems.
Cats, like people, are complex creatures to understand. As humans, we have a broad spectrum of mood swings, and various variances create boundaries depending on class, race, gender, physical features, and other variables.
The same is true for cats; each cat has its unique mind, which is impacted in every manner by its surroundings.
A stray cat that kills a rabbit and then eats it illustrates the difference between killing and eating a rabbit; conversely, a house cat fed at home would simply kill the rabbit and not eat the bunny.
Protecting Your Rabbit From Stray Cats: What You Should Know.
The best way to keep your rabbit safe from stray cats is by keeping it in a secure and contained location or by caging it. If you are new at handling rabbits, do everything you can to keep your bunny healthy.
A stray cat, as previously said, is more likely to eat your bunny friend. If you have a feline, keep this in mind: never let your bunnies out in the open when you’re gone!
If you leave the rabbit alone in the grass or garden, whether intentionally or unintentionally, you will never see it again until you come home. When you have a bunny, you should be aware of the dangers and take the appropriate measures.
Do Feral Cats Eat Rabbits?
Yes, feral cats do consume rabbits. Feral cats will hunt and consume a wide range of small animals, including mice, birds, and rabbits.
In reality, a wild cat may kill a rabbit without intending to eat it. Cats like hunting and killing, and it is in their nature to do so.
Why Do Cats Eat the Heads of Rabbits?
To commemorate the victory, the cat may only consume a little piece of the rabbit, such as the head. The desire for food is the driving force behind a wild cat caring for a litter of kittens.
In this case, the cat would most likely take the carcass to a safe area away from other predators and devour it. This is the life cycle in action!
Most predators prefer to consume their prey’s nutrient-dense organs before the bones, and it’s conceivable that your cat has concluded that the rabbit’s brain is the best source of nutrition.
Is a Rabbit Capable of Self-Defense Against a Cat?
It makes no difference how giant the rabbit is when it comes to defending itself from cats. A rabbit has little chance against a cat while hunting or fighting. Therefore the best defense is to escape and avoid getting captured.
Rabbits are prey animals, yet they can defend themselves against a cat with a kick if the kick is powerful enough to inflict harm to the cat. Wild rabbits are aggressive, especially when they perceive predators invading their territories or when they are scared.
If the rabbit becomes sick with a disease or bacterium, it may injure or kill the cat.
Do House Cats Eat Rabbits?
Cats will hunt and consume a wide range of small animals, including mice, birds, and rabbits. In reality, a house cat may kill a rabbit without intending to eat it. Cats like hunting and killing, and it is in their nature to do so.
If you have a pet cat, try to keep it from eating rabbits since it might get Tularemia. To keep your rabbit secure from neighboring cats, ensure it is safely stowed away in a cat-proof cage.
Conclusion
Cats will hunt and even devour rabbits if given a chance. They could even be so pleased with themselves that they bring you some leftovers! To avoid the infection caused by rabbit fever and keep your cat safe, keep them indoors and away from any rabbits to hunt. If your cat is desperate for a rabbit to chase, consider gifting them a plush bunny instead!
FAQs
Can rabbits and cats share diseases?
Tularemia is a rare ailment in cats, although cats can get sick if they kill or consume an infected rabbit or rodent or are bitten by an infected bug.
Do stray cats eat wild rabbits?
Yes, wild cats do consume rabbits, and as a result, they acquire Tularemia (rabbit fever).
Can rabbits catch diseases from cats?
Cat claws and jaws are a breeding ground for pathogenic germs. A fun swat or a love bite to your rabbit might result in a severe abscess (infection).
Is it common for cats to prey on rabbits and kill them?
Cats have been known to murder numerous species that they do not even consume because of their passion for killing. So it is safe to – yes, it is indeed normal for a cat to kill rabbits.
