Cat and Rabbit Mating
I have a
cat that has been spayed and declawed and of course she stays inside.here
is the problem. I recently acquired a male rabbit.the cat and rabbit are
in love,I'm serious! the rabbit mounts the cat and try's to mate
the cat.the cat does not seem to mind,even licking the rabbits head and
body.when I seperate them,the cat cries out until she is allowed near the
rabbit. I keep the rabbit in a cage and the cat will lay next to the cage
as long as I let her.is this normal? will the rabbit hurt the cat? should
I get a female rabbit? I know this sounds strange but you should be in my
shoes when my family comes over to see the two lovebirds!!
It is not unusual for two different species to love, to mate and to enjoy each other's company. Sometimes the animals are truely in love with their friend, and sometimes they mount as a demonstration of dominence. Dogs may jump on a human leg as if to mate, or a bird may rub on a toy in the cage. In captivity, especially when the same species in unavailable, sexual feelings are often displayed in a distorted manner. In the wild, it is extremely unlikely to find felines and rabbits mounting one another.
Rabbits are notoriously sexually active. When another rabbit is unavailable, they turn to a toy or another animal for sexual tension release. Intact male rabbits are much more likely to do this than females. The genetics of cats and rabbits are too different to result in any fertility, so you don't have to worry about any unwanted pregnancies here. Also, the rabbit is unlikely to hurt the cat in their fun. You might be best off just letting them continue as is.
Having the rabbit castrated may help diminish the behavior, by lowering his testosterone. I do not recommend getting another rabbit, for two males would fight, and a pair would multiply quickly.
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