AboutDr Ray Wigley Expertise I can answer questions on inbreeding of pedigree cats. Also when to inbreed and when not to inbreed. Also when to consider out crossing cats to help diversify the gene pool. I can also answer questions on how to get the best out of your cat at a show.
Experience I have bred animals for over 30 years. I am actively engaged on research into FIP and other feline diseases also investigating litter size variation as a consequence of breed.
Expert: Dr Ray Wigley Date: 6/15/2008 Subject: bunny eating cat
Question QUESTION: My female cat has a habit of catching rabbits and eating just the head. She does bring it home alive first, which I hear is suppose to be a gift. Then, if I don't hear the bunny crying first and save it, or try, all I find in the morning is a headless bunny. Is this normal?
ANSWER: Hi Ed
Cats are obligate carnivore, meaning they only eat meat as a main diet so eating rabbits, mice, other rodents birds etc is natural for them. However bringing a rabbit home and then killing it later does suggest a review of your cat's feeding habits is needed.
Are you feeding it fresh meat, tinned meat or dry kibble.
It is a hunter killer in the wild so there is no problem in its hunting skills.
Some cats that are that well fed that they do not revert to hunter killer instincts. So to save the bunnies, feed her a little more, little and often will quench her thirst for bunnies I think
Ray
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi,
She eats enough at home, but my nain concern is that she just eats the HEAD. Why is that?
Answer Hi Ed
My partner did have a cat that ate everything of a rabbit apart from a foot. Strange cat unfortunately, she obviously is not suffering from her diet but I would make sure that any rabbits that she could come into contact with do not suffer from myxomatosis. It is also advisable to make sute she has been treated for tick and tapeworm infestations
