Information on Neutering Rabbits

The obvious reason to have your rabbit neutered is so you can keep more than one rabbit without them fighting or causing a population explosion. Rabbits are social animals that need company. But there are many other advantages too.


Male rabbits

MALE RABBITS (bucks) are usually bolder than females. They are responsive and enjoyable pets, but most are territorial and frequently spray urine, and aggression is a common problem. Neutered males are much happier and more relaxed. They can enjoy life without constantly looking for a mate and are much less aggressive. If carefully introduced, they can live with a spayed female or even another neutered male. Neutered males will stop spraying urine even if the operation is performed later in life.

Female rabbits

FEMALE RABBITS (does). Having female rabbits spayed is equally important. Most female rabbits become territorial and aggressive from sexual maturity onwards (4-6 months). They often have repeated false pregnancies, and may growl at, bite and scratch their owners as well as other rabbits. Keeping two females together (even if they are sisters) tends to make things worse. Spaying reduces (and sometimes eliminates) all these behavioural problems. Spayed females are likely to live longer lives than their unspayed sisters. Up to 80% of unsprayed female rabbits develop uterine cancer by the age of 5. Females who are not spayed when young and in good health may have to undergo the operation as an emergency in later life (e.g. cancer or pyometra) develops.

What happens when a rabbit is neutered?

Males: Castration is a relatively minor operation, which can be performed as soon as the testicles descend (10-12 weeks) although most vets wait until the rabbit is 4-5 months old. The testicles are removed via the scrotum or the lower abdomen.

Females: Spaying is a bigger operation that is usually performed when the rabbit is at least 6 months old. The uterus and both ovaries are removed via the abdomen.

In both sexes it takes from 2 weeks to 2 months for the hormones to settle down after neutering.

Is it safe?

In the past, rabbits gained a reputation for being difficult to anaesthetise. But the risks of rabbit anaesthesia have fallen significantly in recent years. In the hands of experienced vets using modern techniques, surgery on healthy rabbits is almost as safe as in cats. It is important to understand that low risk does not mean no risk. Surgery on any animal can have unexpected complications. Occasionally a much loved pet dies whilst being neutered. But for most rabbits the benefits of neutering far outweigh the very small risk. Older rabbits and those with medical problems are more difficult to neuter safely. If your pet rabbit is older than 3 years or has medical problems (such as obesity, dental disease or "snuffles" and related disorders) you must discuss the risks and benefits with a suitably experienced vet in order to choose the best option for your pet.

"Rabbit friendly" vets

If you don't already have a vet, choose a "rabbit friendly" one from the word go. Like any other specialised field, vets vary in their interest and expertise in rabbit medicine. Some questions to ask when choosing a vet include:
■Do they recommend vaccinations for VHD and Myxomatosis?
■Do they neuter rabbits of both sexes regularly? What is their success rate?
■Rabbits do need special care on the day of surgery: will the vet use heat pads, fluid therapy and post operative pain relief?
■Are rabbits hospitalised away from dogs, cats and ferrets?
■If you already use a veterinary practice, ask whether they neuter rabbits. Many small animal vets will neuter males, but unless your vet operates on a lot of rabbits you may well be referred to a more experienced rabbit surgeon to have a female spayed.

my bucks spray every where...really far up my wall.i dont know how they do it!! lol

I am having Burdock done .. read quite a lot up on neutering ..x

i do think it is better for them in the long run, mine will be done once they have finished breeding..

Burdock is being done Tayer i will be calling the vets tomorrow .x

it's well worth having them done... no accidental litters, removes risk of cancer, makes their pee smell less strong, no spraying, no phantom pregnancies, nesting etc... xxx

Yep i am in totally agreement .x

snip snip burdock! xxx

All males should be snipped!

i think does, would only nest, if there is a buck about...dont quote me on that...thats is why i..paired soda and ffluer up coz she was nesting all the time....she is only on day 6 today and her nest is all there ready....the dip where she is putting them is ready as well....lol

aw bless her! tayer how do you seperate them when they are mating? do you just wait for them to cool off? i've heard the males can get quite vicious xxx

no not really, he has to pin her down, which is the hardest part...coz she is jumping about....but this time she was humping him...i think she got a little confused...lol

once the deed was done i split them up, coz she will start grunting at him.