Keeping the Netherland Dwarf Rabbits with Cats and Dogs

Pet owners often find pleasure and enjoy the company of a tiny Netherland dwarf rabbit. These are adorable animals that are also quite expressive and display different fascinating habits. They are clean adorable little pets which can be groomed and house-trained. This breed of rabbits is rather compact that has taken its origins from the Netherlands! They are in fact, the smallest type of rabbits and are famous because of their absolutely adorable and baby-like features. Their weight is about 1.5kg at maximum and they can live up to 10 years. A tiny body, broad head, short neck, large eyes, and pointed ears of about 5cm long, they are available in various colors, such as black, tan, brown, white as well as orange and many more.  

What to Consider While Keeping Netherland Dwarf Rabbits with Cats and Dogs?

There is no harm in keeping your pet rabbits with cats or dogs but there still are various things that need to be considered before petting your rabbits with dogs or cats.

1.      Assess Your Rabbit’s Behavior and Personality:

The first step to decide whether or not to keep your Netherland dwarf rabbits with dogs or cats is to assess your rabbit’s behavior and personality. If your rabbit can easily get scared or startled, then there are greater risks for a predatory attack by the cat or dog. However, rabbits that are tranquil, easy-going and offer a considerably less of a flight response, can easily get along well with your other pets like dogs or cats. In fact, rabbits which have had a previous good experience with dogs or cats in the beginning of their lives can also see your new pet as a comrade instead of any enemy.

2.      Consider the Type of Animal that can stay with the Rabbit:

Preferably, your pet dogs or cats must also have had experience in living with rabbits or other smaller animals. If a pet must be added, then the pet owner might want to consider adding a harmless second pet like a little kitten or puppy. This way your pet rabbit can be introduced to the new pets during his main socialization phase which is really the first three months for puppies and two months for kittens. An early introduction is important because during this phase, dogs and cats learn that the other animals around are their “companions.” This makes them less likely to look at the tinier rabbits as a prey later in life.  

It is important to remember that while your puppies or kittens are socializing with your rabbit, they also need to interact and exercise with their own kind. This interaction between same species actually cultivates social skills and assists them in releasing energy which might otherwise be released at the rabbit.

3.      Supervise your Rabbits When Around Dogs or Cats:

The pet owners must always make sure that they are there to supervise their pet rabbits whenever around other animals. It is a fact that cats and dogs and naturally created as predatory animals. The predatory behavior or puppies and kittens is released through play, like chasing after, biting, pouncing on or even dissecting toys. Allowing a same-species interaction and playtime would also allow your puppy or kitten to release these wishes somewhere else instead of predating on the rabbit. The cat or dog might sometimes even unintentionally harm your dwarf Netherland rabbit while merely playing. And this could actually end up in serious physical or even physiological injury to a delicate bunny.

4.      Consider Older Pets:

Another option for pet owners to consider when they need to keep their rabbits with dogs and cats is to keep an older, soft canine or older feline. With the natural aging process, animals have a considerable reduction in their play drive and the energy levels might also decrease. This comes off as an advantage to make them suitable for sharing a home with a tiny, delicate dwarf Netherland rabbit. Additionally, the older animal’s already has a fully-developed personality. Therefore, selecting an adult cat or dog allows the pet owners to look for a pet which will meet with the firmer demands of life with a rabbit.

Your pet dog or cat must be confident instead of being easily phased. Rabbits are mischievous and are known to make moves to proclaim themselves. This could include the behaviors like running right up and in to the other animal. If your dog or cat is fearful or cautiously aggressive, it can be quite a challenge to settle the two in together. A safe pet dog or cat with great socialization skills is just perfect to increase the chances of a safe and secure interaction between your pets.

While considering keeping a dog, it is also necessary to think over the genetic lineage of your dog.  Various kinds of dog breeds like hounds and terriers are made to hunt and chase down any small animals. Exceptions exist with the breeds but certain genetic lineages do tend to have a greater tendency of voracious behavior which can obviously make that type of dog to be terrible fit to share homes with your dwarf Netherland rabbit. Obviously animals who have exhibited some serious signs of predatory like grabbing, injuring or killing a little rabbit are not fit to be kept in with rabbits.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, your vet has always and will always be a treasured resource since she can do a great job at suggesting some really well-reputed and well-run rescue societies or positive-reinforcement instructors which can help the owners select the kinds of pets that can be suitable to live with their dwarf Netherland rabbits and in the process of introducing the pets to one another.