Weird bonding - kitten with dwarf rabbit

[teleskopregel]

We have two 12 week-old kittens and a middle-aged uncastrated dwarf bunny. For the past few weeks, we have been introducing our bun to the kittens. There has been some intermittent grooming from both sides. Yesterday, we noticed a kitten kneading and licking the bun towards the back of his body. Today, I realised the kitten is sucking, not licking, while kneading. Right where nipples should be, so it seems like it is trying to feed. Bun just sits there.

Now, I have googled this and can find nothing so I am asking here. This could indicate the cat thinks the bun is its' mum, right? Is this a problem? Should we discourage this or not worry about it?

Bless it! My eleven year old cat has been doing this to my hair and dressing gown since he was a tiny kitten. I think it's a comfort thing but just to let you know he may not grow out of it...I can't see why it would be a problem as long as the bunny doesn't get cross about it.

I have 4 cats and 2 buns, they all get along very well, though not quite as well as yours 😂

My kitten kneads and suckles his brothers and me, my head, legs, etc. I wouldn't worry about it, I don't necessarily think the kitten will think the buns it's mum, it's more a show of comfort. That does sound adorable!

Wow I would love to see a picture or video

A lady who fosters for one of our local rescues told me she had a cat that had to be rehomed with an indoor rabbit it had bonded to.

It is obvious our kittens are bonded with each other, and that one of them really, really likes the bunny. Whether the bunny likes the kittens is another thing! It seems he will just sit and tolerate the attention and then goes into his box after a bit.

Interested to hear any bonding stories, as this is all quite new. Chickens and cats will be our next step.

Have you considered getting your rabbit a friend of the same species? They really do love to have a companion.

We have a house rabbit, she’s 7 now. 4 weeks ago I adopted a 5 year old female miniature dachshund. I wouldn’t say they are bonded but they’re definitely friendly.

@AwkwardPaws27
He did have a bonded sibling but it died nearly a year ago. Initially, they got along well, but he was so aggressive in the last year that we had to keep them separately. That aggression made us decide against getting another bun. Considered castration and discovered it may or may not help.

So, hoping he and the cats will get along well 😊

If the rabbit tolerates it then it's not an issue

I got 2 new kittens around 6 weeks ago and one of them suckles on his brother and my older cats, it's a comfort thing apparently

@teleskopregel I'm sorry to hear that.
I missed that he was unneutered - it really is recommended that they are neutered prior to bonding (bunnies are very hormonal!). Personality matters too, but any good rabbit rescue should be ae to help matching and bonding.

I have a kitten - now about 7 months old who is bonded to my male mini schnauzer. Kitten suckles on the dog every day. Dog doesn't mind at all and cleans kittens ears during the process!

They really do love each other

@Sloelydoesit

That's so lovely, it's made my day!

YABVU to post about having kittens AND a dwarf rabbit and not include photos!

OP - your rabbit needs to be neutered. It’s not a “maybe” with rabbits. It’s a necessity as spelt out by the RWAF.

An unneutered rabbit can’t be bonded with another rabbit, and if its hormones flare it could become aggressive even to your kittens. Neutering absolutely does help with aggression in rabbits.

Aww it sounds sweet.
When I was a child we had a dwarf rabbit and then a year later got a kitten.
The kitten tried to play but bunny gave a swipe across her nose to say "I'm the boss". He was the boss. Tiny little thing but he was devil 🤣
They didn't become best buddies but tolerated each other. The only big fall out was when cat decided to take a nap in his hutch.
I swear he sat there laughing hysterically when local birds attacked the cat.

My cat used to catch ( and kill) wild rabbits. Aren't you worried that your kittens might attack your rabbit when they're older?

Rabbits are one of the main prey for cats in the wild.

I'd be slightly worried that the rabbit is staying still/tolerating this because it's afraid. Id also worry that as the kitten grows larger, instinct will take over and it may attack the rabbit.

Out cats used to regularly play with our outdoor bunnies. Both parties seemed to be getting pleasure from it, so no dramas. I wouldn't worry too much about your kitten suckling. Some cats do this for comfort. One of ours would do it if they were on your lap and you were wearing a wool top. He did that right I to old age with no behavioural issues. So I wouldn't worry.

I knew a lady who had a Chihuahua, a large cat and a massive bunny. All free range, all living together, the dog was the smallest of the bunch. They loved each other deeply and all shared beds.
Honestly if your kittens are used to the bunny they won't suddenly decide it's prey in my Veterinary experience. Just let them become friends.

So long as both animals are happy, and the kitten is actually get nutrients from somewhere (obviously not going to have much luck trying to feed from the rabbit haha) then it's absolutely fine.

Rabbits are prey animals and don't display fear or discomfort in obvious ways. Cats are their predators. Please don't let them around your rabbit. It may seem like "tolerating" to you, but the rabbit is likely frightened, and rabbits can die very suddenly from stress.

If the cat did bite the rabbit, that would be lifethreatening too. Not sure why you'd risk it.

You're playing a dangerous game. Predator and prey pets should never be allowed to interact. One little nip from the kitten could kill the rabbit. It will be stressed and probably is freezing up with fear when the kitten is "suckling" it. It's really not fair on your rabbit.

I agree

One scratch from a cat to a rabbit can kill due to the bacteria cats have. Please separate them and get the rabbit neutered and a friend that's a rabbit.