Can I cope with a dog, 2 cats and a rabbit?

~Chameleon~

Person_one wrote: »

Too big? Are you getting them mixed up with another breed? How much smaller do you think a Maltese is?

Such a shame about your attitude to rescue, I adopted two dogs while living in a flat and working so forgive me but I'm always skeptical about these tales of how 'impossible' it is, but best of luck anyway.

I get the impression she wants a designer "handbag" dog but probably isn't aware of how big an adult Maltese grows, nor the sheer intensity of work involved with grooming one

Kavanne

Being a rabbit owner I would like to weigh in on that angle. It will only take you looking away for 2 seconds for your dog to grab your bun and snap its neck.

You've got a committment to the animals you already have, so maybe review again in a few years if your situation changes

Fosterdog

Kavanne wrote: »

Being a rabbit owner I would like to weigh in on that angle. It will only take you looking away for 2 seconds for your dog to grab your bun and snap its neck.

You've got a committment to the animals you already have, so maybe review again in a few years if your situation changes

Being the owner of two rabbits and two dogs I can't see it being a problem. As long as you are sensible about introducing them if they ever meet then they can live happily together. I'd never recommend leaving them alone together but with supervision there's no reason they couldn't get on well.

My dogs (big german shepherds) are both scared of my rabbits, they love to watch them playing in their run and I don't doubt for a second that given the chance they would kill a wild rabbit but they know that our rabbits are to be left alone.

It's the same as people who have cats and dogs together, most dogs know the difference between the animals in their "family" and those from outside.

Spudsey

GBNI wrote: »

Try a different rescue centre It really does depend who you deal with. The kennel manager of where I got my dog wanted us to jump through hoops, but the kennel staff themselves were much more helpful

I agree. I attempted to adopt another rabbit from a local rescue and was not allowed due to my method of bonding. Which was the suggested bonding method that both the rabbit welfare association and the rspca recommend. I emailed the woman back from the rescue mentioning this but she never replied to me. It seemed she had her opinion and that was it. I had heard things about this rescue which is inundated with animals and is running out of money and I can see why!

krlyr

Fosterdog wrote: »

Being the owner of two rabbits and two dogs I can't see it being a problem. As long as you are sensible about introducing them if they ever meet then they can live happily together. I'd never recommend leaving them alone together but with supervision there's no reason they couldn't get on well.

My dogs (big german shepherds) are both scared of my rabbits, they love to watch them playing in their run and I don't doubt for a second that given the chance they would kill a wild rabbit but they know that our rabbits are to be left alone.

It's the same as people who have cats and dogs together, most dogs know the difference between the animals in their "family" and those from outside.

And from a different perspective..I was fairly convinced my previous dog and my current dogs probably would injure a small furry (didn't grow up with them, high prey drive, etc.) but have owned rabbits, chinchillas, rats, mice, ferrets, etc. with no incident. Being aware of the risk, it was easy enough to work around. Small furries lived either in my bedroom, or in suitably converted buildings outside. Precautions were taken - such as metal bases on cages if the animals were likely to chew their way out, babygates used on the doors of the outbuildings so dogs couldn't burst in or rabbits hop out, and generally at least 2 doors between small furries and dogs. No incidents over the many years and numerous animals that passed through the household.

I'd assume with two cats and a rabbit, OP's preference would be for a dog without a desire to chase either, but it certainly can be worked around anyway.