Rats and Rabbits?

[shandrel]

We might end up with a rabbit. someone we know bought one... and did NOT think ti through, he is leaving the islands this month with a BABY BUNNY >.<
We are probably going to end up with the bunny ( or so we hope, he is going to Arizona, that is like 2 days in transit for a baby bunny? insert bad words here for the person)

So here is the question, how well do Rats and Bunnies get along? can we let them play together?

[Die Fledermaus]

How old a rat? Male or female?

Take a look at my photos of Max the giant rat and Ophelia the guinea pig together, in the Rat forum. They sort of ignored each other for the relatively brief time they were together.

When I had Poppy the rabbit (going to the vet tomorrow) together with GPs Sam and Lester the only two things of note were Poppy (a male) sometimes tried to copulate with Sam (!), and the tank got messy because rabbits use litter pans; GPs and rats do not!. Rabbits like to hunker down on a clean dry spot; it is healthier for them. Poppy is alone now. I posted on his health issue in the Rabbit forum.

So, for that reason it is not ideal for the rabbit to mix them.

I know guinea pigs SOMETIMES carry some illness that isn't harmful for them but can kill rabbits, for example. I did not know that when I HAD to put them together (sudden rescue), but they were fine.

Adult rats with a baby bunny?? I would not do that.

Rabbits are 100% vegetarians. Rats are not. Their behavior is different. I can handle my rats and rabbits with 100% certainty neither will bite me. But them together is different.

Go to this link:
www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/1451/bunpets2.html

Scroll down to the rats and rabbit part.

>> If you put a rat on the floor with a rabbit, the senario will usually look something like this:

After the initial sniffing of the floor, the rat will scurry over to the rabbit, usually near the rabbit's face or hind quarters, at which time the rabbit will sniff the rat face to face. All may go well and the two may ignore each other from then on. But the rat will usually nip the bunny's nose, causing the rabbit to feel alarmed and either thump or take flight. The rat will take this as an invitation to play a game of chase with the rabbit. If this chase, nip, chase, nip continues the rabbit will become very angry and may bite and/or stomp the rat.

The rat may try to groom the rabbit, this usually ends in disaster because a rats idea of grooming differs greatly from a bunny's idea of grooming. Rats groom vigorously, licking and grabbing fur to clean themselves. They often hold each other down to complete the job. Rabbits appreciate a more gentle approach. A rabbit will get frightened by a rat trying to groom in an aggressive manner.

The two may completely ignore each other, or the rat may harass the rabbit to the point that they must be seperated. Rats are very intelligent, frisky, and social, and will usually stop at nothing, so if the two don't hit it off from the start, they usually never will.

Never keep rabbits and rats in the same cage, even if they get along. Rabbits get frightened easily and may trample or stomp on a rat out of fear.

If they don't get along, let the rats play where the bunny is not. Never leave the two alone in the same area. <<

I just think it is too risky. Me? I would not be able to sleep as I'd worry with them together. Get a big used cage off Amazon and have some peace of mind!

[shandrel]

Oh i didn't want to keep them in the same area, i meant as play time only, the bunny is about as old as the rats, all male, but i think we will just keep the bunny upstairs and the ratties downstairs!

[Die Fledermaus]

As they said, even for play time you have to watch closely and be very careful.

My rats are so gentle it seems hard to believe, but we can't be sure.

If you watch a brief play time closely and stop it if it gets uncomfortable for the rabbit, well, maybe it'd be OK.

[shandrel]

*nods* thank you! i am sure they will, meet each other but i will have super supervised playtime ( i do anyway becuase we have a cat as well, but still.)

[Die Fledermaus]

Btw, keep GPs and rabbits separate as there is a CHANCE the bunny can transmit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasteurella to the GP (fatal to them).

If untreated, it can sometimes kill the rabbit too, eventually.

[shandrel]

wow thanks, we don't have any GP's just rats and a cat.... But i will be sure i can use that inforamation soemwhere!

you know there was a pet store we used to go to that had them in pens together.... but they are closed now.

[Die Fledermaus]

Good. It is unlikely anything would happen, but it might have, especially for long term groupings.

I need to go. It was a LONG day with Poppy, who needs his meds.

[shandrel]

*nods* pet the little guy for me!

[Die Fledermaus]

I will.

He seems OK right now. Although not all that hungry. Strawberries, bananas, chicory, a carrot, hay, and a little alfalfa. And water in a ceramic bowl which is not being kicked over.

[shandrel]

i am glad to hear he is doing okay!

[Die Fledermaus]

Photos soon!

[shandrel]

Good!

[Die Fledermaus]

I have to get new batteries though.

See the Photo Gallery for a new thread. I am taking SO many photos of the new flowers I keep running out!