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Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your pet, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your pet, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Small pets

House bunny or cat?

33 replies

fooolofbeans · 04/02/2017 12:21

I'd love a dog but practically it wouldn't work for us.
I'd love an animal that shows love like dogs do, does anyone have any experience of cats/rabbits/dogs to compare them and their general temperaments and behaviour?

OP posts:

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perhapsiwill · 04/02/2017 12:25

Oh I went through this dilemma! Was seriously considering s house rabbit but then I am allergic to hay and they have to have a constant supply. They also chew everything! We ended up with two adorable cats and that was sooo the right decision for us. They are always there to greet us when we get home. Lovely lap cats . Kids adore them.

fooolofbeans · 04/02/2017 13:05

Thanks for this perhaps I just worry cats can be a bit stand offish

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dimots · 04/02/2017 13:09

Cats are much less trouble. Rabbits chew everything. Especially electric wires.

PleasantPhesant · 04/02/2017 13:12

Rabbits poop everywhere and chew everything.

I would go for a cat (maybe two) from a rescue.
Kittens are cute but you don't know what they're going to be like as an adult. They may not like dc for example.
A rescue cat you can spend some time with before you decide on which one and you may get to know a bit of their history too.

We have cats and can't imagine a home without them. Cats rule literally

TroysMammy · 04/02/2017 13:14

I had a house rabbit. He was jealous of any attention I gave the cat. He nibbled the skirting board, nibbled the corner of the doors, nibbled the bottom of my trousers to get my attention especially when I was getting something out of the fridge (kale fiend). He would sit next to me on the sofa when I was watching tv but as soon as the cat turned up he would jump off and chase him away. He died before the cat and as a mark of respect I buried the cat away from the rabbit's grave.

I've never has solely indoor cats but male neutered cats are really loving and can be clingy. I'd have a cat before I'd have a rabbit again.

ItsTimeForDuggee · 04/02/2017 13:21

I have a pair of house rabbits they are more work than people realise they are also better in pairs. They can cost a lot of money if they are ill aswell. Also most rabbits aren't that cuddley and don't like being picked up. Mine aren't I don't mind but I didn't want a lap animal. I grew up with 4 cats in the household as a child and they much easier to look after and care for than rabbits as pp said rabbits do chew and can cause £££ damage to a house. mine like an iPhone cable the best. I wouldn't change my bunnies for anything but defiantly do your research if you do decide to get a rabbit. plenty of Facebook groups that are fully of information and really helpfully.

PleasantPhesant · 04/02/2017 13:22

And yes, I've found neutered male cats to be the most affectionate. Definitely

cbigs · 04/02/2017 13:28

Cats all the way. Got four they're all ace

lizzieoak · 04/02/2017 13:30

Cats vs dogs - cats don't do slavish devotion for the most part but they can be very loving & affectionate & funny. We adopted two adult brothers & they are chalk & cheese. Each has picked one of us humans as his own. One is cheeky & smart & purrs a lot. The other is dim but so good-hearted & cuddly.

Cats are the least effort of all pets. When you bring the new cat home, give it space the first day or so, it'll be nervous. Chat to it lots & let it take the lead on how much it likes to be handled.

ineedamoreadultieradult · 04/02/2017 13:31

I have cats and rabbits. The rabbits live outside and are perfectly happy there I can't imagine them being happy in a house and they chew everything and are hard to litter train. The cats on the other hand are both rescues picked for their cuddlyness and tolerance of noise and children. They are perfect house pets.

NetballHoop · 04/02/2017 13:32

We've had cats, dogs, hamsters, lizards and a rabbit.
I'd happily have any of the above again EXCEPT a rabbit. It bit everything and everyone and was a lot of work to look after.

notagiraffe · 04/02/2017 13:40

Definitely a cat. Cats are much more cuddly. Rabbits are less keen to be handled. Cats interact far more closely with humans. Ours chats away and tucks the DC in bed, nurses them when they're ill, plays with toys, even comes for short walks and collects us if we visit neighbours.
Rabbits look pretty but they'd rather not hang around with humans if they have the choice.

notagiraffe · 04/02/2017 13:42

I agree with Pleasant that neutered male cats are the friendliest. Ours are like cuddly toys. They sometimes mew just to be picked up and snuggled. They wrap their massive paws round our necks for a hug and purr loudly.

TroysMammy · 04/02/2017 14:35

My rabbit was little trained, more so after being castrated.

My male, neutered cats never brought me dead or alive gifts either.

TroysMammy · 04/02/2017 14:35

Litter trained.

fooolofbeans · 05/02/2017 00:17

Pleasant pheasant - cats rule literally!

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PleasantPhesant · 05/02/2017 00:19

They really do!

Bunnies are cute but cats are very independent-very easy pets masters. I couldn't not have a cat in the house.

fooolofbeans · 05/02/2017 00:22

UNANIMOUS!! II hope to go to a rescue centre this week and look for a male cat and have them neutered. 🐺🐈🐺🐈🐺

How exciting?!?!

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fooolofbeans · 05/02/2017 00:24

Also so I can tell DH I've done my research in order to convince him:
What is the initial outlay
Also would you recommend insurance?

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PleasantPhesant · 05/02/2017 00:43

Rescue centres normally neuter but there's normally an adoption cost. This can be (ime) from £30-£90.
Food, litter, toys, beds (though I've found they'll sleep on your bed or in a cardboard box. Cats LOVE cardboard boxes. Get some from the supermarket when you're there)
Go for the best quality meat and biscuits you can afford. A mixture of the both.
Wooden cat litter (less than £3 a bag in Asda)- really holds the smell well.

If you put a collar on make sure it's a safety collar. Collars can be a blessing and a curse. They look cute and can have vital info on however-they can get cats caught up where they can't escape, they can get their jaws/legs stuck through them.
Ours don't have collars but are chipped. It's a personal decision. I've had cats in the house tangled in their collars and they've needed help so it's put me off having collars on them outside (lots of farmers fields/hedges/hunting opportunities)

You'll need a carrier too for vet visits. Freecycle ir similar occasionally have them Orr around £15 from pets at home/pet shop.

PleasantPhesant · 05/02/2017 00:46

I would recommend insurance it's usually around £5-£15 a month depending on at history.

Most vets have some sort of care package where you pay £x a month and you get annual vaccinations, monthly flea /worm treatments, a discount of operations/ free annual health check, discount off food bought there etc

I would recommend signing up to these sorts of plans as it's beneficial in the long run. £7 a month at our vets including monthly flea treatment.

caroldecker · 05/02/2017 00:51

Totally disagree with wood pellet in the litter box - stinks to high heaven. Use cheap clumping litter £3 a bag from waitrose.

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PleasantPhesant · 05/02/2017 00:53

Each to their own carol.
Clumping smells of ammonia in this house

Oneiroi · 05/02/2017 02:15

We have house rabbits and they are amazing. Much friendlier than cats and totally litter trained. I would never get a cat again after having bunnies because bunnies have so much more personality. They only get destructive if they are bored and they need to be kept in pairs as they get lonely and depressed otherwise. PP are right that they generally don't like to be picked up, you have to earn their trust slowly but it's completely worth it. Mine sit on the sofa with me for cuddles and watch TV. I've had dogs, cats, guinea pigs, chinchillas, fish, birds, just about every kind of pet over the years, and bunnies are by far the best.

lizzieoak · 05/02/2017 02:40

Oneiroi- I think you've known the wrong cats! Cats are super friendly (occasional one sucks, just like any animal).

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