Do cats kill rabbits?

[cottun]

I've had kitties that killed frogs and birds, but never something as large as a rabbit!

We have a lot of rabbits in our area. My next door neighbor saw my DS outside this morning and asked him if we knew that our older kitty had been killing rabbits!? He showed DS 3 dead rabbits that were in his yard, and one that was in our yard. I find it hard to believe that our Clea could or would kill a rabbit, or anything else! She is my kitty that has a deviated nasal septum and cant even eat her food without stopping frequently because she cant breathe when her mouth is full! The neighbor says he hasnt SEEN her killing anything, but since she is the only cat he has seen outside, he just assumes that its her thats killing them. He said that he's also been finding a lot of dead birds around. With Clea's breathing problems and it being close to 100 degrees here everyday, I only let her out for about a couple of hours in the evening. I cant even imagine her having the breath to chase down an animal, let alone have the strength and the breath to kill it!

One thing for sure, if it's not her thats killing small animals out there, I need to stop letting her out, because she could be next! The neighbor is really upset - he gave DS a nasty look and said "Well, I guess I'd better start burying these poor rabbits!"

[SHEL]

Re: Do cats kill rabbits?

Yeah I Think A Cat Would And Could Kill A Rabbit. Our Hunter Loves To Kill Whatever He Can Catch--well Maybe Not A Dog, He Likes Dogs.

[Rubelishous]

Re: Do cats kill rabbits?

Cats are very predatory and could have killed the rabbits but they generally go for smaller prey like squirrels or perhaps baby bunnies. You could put a bell (or 2) on the cat to help cut down on any killing it does.

[tastebud]

Re: Do cats kill rabbits?

I used to have a cat that would bring home baby rabbits. The 4 I have now never have though.

[Needers]

Re: Do cats kill rabbits?

I think if theyre small, yes. My cat had a baby bunny, didnt kill it tho, because we caught it in time, but it ended up dying later on, I take from Fright. My one cat brought a Guinea Pig home and laid it on the doorstep for a present. Hubby thought it was a Rat! I asked him "Since "when" have you seen a Calico Rat! LOL

[cottun]

Re: Do cats kill rabbits?

Rube, thats a good point about the bell. Clea did have a bell on her collar, and strange thing is, when I let her in last night, the whole collar was gone! One of these rabbits was bigger than she is, but putting the pieces together, its looking more and more like theres a possibility that she DID do it! Next collar I get her is going to have 2 bells on it!

[chickyp]

Re: Do cats kill rabbits?

Yep...they like the smallish ones. My cat Crooked (who was a female) caught them all the time. Max, who is the only cat we have now, could care less. He wouldn't catch a rabbit, mouse, or bird if one sat down right in front of him. He is a totally good for nothing cat!

[Hayburner]

Re: Do cats kill rabbits?

Female cats are the hunters, males are mostly too lazy.

[Rubelishous]

Re: Do cats kill rabbits?

Cottun - I've learned from experience that you should get your cat a break-away collar. They can get caught on things and could actually strangle the cat - mine almost had that happen. However, with the break-away - obviously it breaks away before any damage is incurred.

Also, 2 bells are better because cats are canny creatures. They can actually learn to hunt in such a way as to not tinkle a single bell but not 2

[Joanne]

Re: Do cats kill rabbits?

YES ! They definitely will.

[Ginger]

Re: Do cats kill rabbits?

We had a cat that would bring home snakes!! She also learned to meow with her mouth full. We learned to check what she had in her mouth before letting her into the house.

My boys are great mousers in the house, but really only play with the mice, don't dispatch them--I'm sure they think that since I keep taking them away, I must like to kill the mice.