INTRODUCTION

If we have a cat and a rabbit, we know that some objects may be in common: they might share the litter box and toys for example. They might even try to taste each other's food while we're not looking! And in this case, is this something we should worry about?

IS CAT FOOD SUITABLE FOR MY RABBIT?

No. Cat food is not suitable for rabbits.

Cats are strict carnivores and their food must contain very low levels of grain or no grain at all, whereas rabbits are herbivores and their digestive systems are not adapted to digest meat or animal by-products (leaving aside the sporadic cases of cannibalism in mothers). Many rabbits become addicted to cat food, there is no concrete reason for this but we must be responsible owners and prevent them from eating it at all costs.

CONSEQUENCES OF MY RABBIT EATING CAT FOOD

The consequences of our rabbit eating cat food are the following (these symptoms can occur when eating it for the first time, or become chronic problems if the problem is not dealt with and the rabbit eats it often):

• Diarrhoea
• Intestinal stoppages
• Inflammation of the intestines or stomach
• Build-up of intestinal gas
• Abdominal pain
• Liver problems
• Nutritional imbalances
• Death
• Obesity
• Kidney damage
  
  

WHAT CAN I DO TO STOP MY RABBIT EATING CAT FOOD?

The rabbit is not a dog that can be taught just like that what to do or what not to do, it can be taught to sit on a table, to be handled or to do its needs in a litter tray, but we cannot prevent it from biting or eating something it likes, such as dog/cat food, cables or the wall, so we have to put impediments so that it does not have access to it. In the case of cat food the easiest way is to prevent the rabbit from entering the room where the cat food/bowl is or to place it in a place where the rabbit cannot access it.

CONCLUSION

Cat food is very harmful to rabbits and can cause serious health problems and in the worst cases death. It is our responsibility as owners to protect them and prevent them from having access to anything that is a danger to them.