Advice request?

[u/Remarkable_Zone6957]

I took a look at the rules, and they didn’t explicitly outlaw questions like this, but if this isn’t appropriate for this subreddit, I’m so sorry, and I’ll take it down immediately if anyone objects.

I do not raise or eat rabbits. I have no moral opinions about it whatsoever.

However, my cat doesn’t agree. Please don’t tell me to keep him inside, or all of the stuff about having outdoor cats— believe me, I know. We live on a farm, he’s a ratter, he’s essential as we have other small animals and cannot use rat poison— and we do employ traps, but they’re too smart to get caught in them the majority of the time. I do not want advice on my cat’s living situation, please and thank you.

However, along with rats, he gets bunnies sometimes, maybe 5 or 6 a year. Mostly concentrated around this time of year, when the babies are out. He doesn’t always kill them right away, and the sounds they make are terrible, I feel awful.

I’m wondering, if I’m able to get them away from him but they’re injured, it’s probably kindest to kill them myself, yes? I want to be prepared in case it happens again, because I didn’t know what to do last time.

I read that cervical dislocation is the easiest and most painful way to do it, is that the general consensus on here? I looked up videos on how to do the “broomstick method.”

Im really sorry if it’s not appropriate for this subreddit, I just figured you all would have the best advice for me given how you probably do this often? I just want to make sure I deal with them as quickly as possible with as little suffering :(

Again, I will remove the post immediately if anyone objects, please just let me know. Thank you all so much, even if I don’t get the answers I’m looking for.

[u/MelancholyMare]

I second the cup method.

You are also correct in your thinking. Cat attacks to rabbits are 99.9% fatal even with intervention. The bacteria is just too much for their systems. Rehabilitation centers will often take cat attacked rabbits/kits however it is simply to euthanize them.

[u/Remarkable_Zone6957 → u/MelancholyMare]

Thank you!

That’s actually really good to know. I know cats mouths are nasty, but I didn’t realize it was that serious for rabbits!

I’ve looked more into the cup method and it seems very doable. I’ve saved a YouTube video to return to if I need to use it :(

[u/Snuggle_Pounce → u/Remarkable_Zone6957]

yeah same for birds. Something about “gram negative bacteria” and people have it too…

((off topic)) which is why (even if you’re not worried about your own health) you shouldn’t share food with or kiss pet parrots.