Rabbits are becoming more and more popular pets lately. They are cute, active, friendly, while they need minimal care and do not cause trouble to their owners. But what to do if the rodent is destined to become not the only domestic animal, but to live next door to a cat that is known for its predatory habits. Will they be able to make friends and how to protect pets from conflict - read on.
The characters of animals: what is laid by nature
Cats are predators that consider all small rodents to be their prey. Rabbits, especially small ones, often suffer from these habits of their furry neighbor.
In the apartment, you can keep such breeds of rabbits as a lion-headed rabbit, a colored short-haired dwarf rabbit, a Viennese blue rabbit, a squirrel.
But, fortunately, this is not always the case. 
Habits and temper cats
Cats are born hunters. Their activity will not exactly give the rabbit a rest. The predator may not even perceive it as a victim, but simply chase eared for fun. But not all cat breeds like active games.
Did you know? Rabbits are able to jump in height to one and a half meters.
If the rodent has to share the area with a Persian or British cat who are lazy and do not like active games, then you can be completely calm for the eared pet.
The behavior of rabbits
Rabbit instincts make them hide at the sight of a predator. But do not forget that decorative rodents by virtue of their breeding are different from their wild relatives. This means that not always your furry friend will run away at the sight of a cat.
Learn more about caring for decorative rabbits in the apartment.
Sometimes it happens and vice versa. Eared pets may show an increased interest in the predator, and the latter, in turn, will either ignore them or hide. 
How to make friends pets
To avoid possible conflicts between pets, follow these simple guidelines:
- Divide the space. The rodent must live in a separate cage and not claim the territory of a cat. So the predator will not see him as a potential rival.
- The first time the cell must be closed. This will protect the rodent from a possible neighbor attack. In addition, the animal must be given time to adapt to new conditions of life.
- When the adaptation period is over, you can allow the cat to approach a safe distance from the cage. and allow the animals to get to know each other.
- If this stage has passed quietly, safely get the rabbit out of its cage and bring it closer to the predator. Allow the purr to sniff it.
- Try to touch both animals with the same hand as often as possible. Thus, you allow them to exchange smells, which will speed up the process of dating.
Important! If, after preliminary communication, the cat does not behave aggressively towards the rabbit, feel free to release it to the floor.
Can I leave them alone after dating
No matter how peaceful your cat may seem, you should not leave her and the rabbit alone without supervision. Even the kindest cat in the soul remains a predator. He can play and severely hurt the eared pet, especially a small one. 
In order not to worry about the safety of your rodent, it is best to start him and the kitten at the same time. Animals that grow together, most often retain strong friendships for life.
