I was thinking at first that it was because they smelled like predators, but the examples in the OP are alpaca and rabbit, both herbivores.
I have a couple of fake fur throw rugs. They look quite realistic. All my critters were initially very wary of the rugs, but once they got used to them, love to snuggle down into the luxurious depths. Enough to essentially lay claim.
About the only scent you would find on the rugs is a delicate whiff of plasticiser.
One feels that their self preservation circuitry is optimised to avoid anything that might be a threat until proven safe. At which point the overarching behaviour of generally owning the joint takes over.
What they really hate, apparently, is tin foil!
An animal doesn’t need to be a predator to be a threat. Many herbivores could kick, stomp, butt, throw, gore etc. a cat. An unknown, not small animal is a potential threat, period.
Yeah, but cats are king of alpacas specifically.
Oh, Cats. The weird little buggers we love in our homes.
My Siamese cats are very particular about what is suitable to lie on.
I am wont to ask them to accept new blankees in their beds. Rarely is it routine.
We had a melt down yesterday because a dryer sheet was too near their dryer bed.
I have a fulll bear rug. They would never ever go near it.
But there’s a huge taxidermied deer hung really high and they often sit on it. It is very alarming to look up and see a cat washing their face on top a creepy stuffed deer head.
Cats are just nuts. There’s no other answer.