Why Should I Spay or Neuter my Rabbit?

 

Should I get my Rabbit Spayed or Neutered?

 

Spaying and neutering isn’t just important for cats and dogs, it’s also imperative to raising happy healthy rabbits. You might think the only reason for fixing your rabbit is to prevent unwanted pregnancies, but in truth preventing pregnancies is only one of several reasons to do so. The House Rabbit Society lists several great reasons to spay and neuter your rabbit:

1. Rabbits who are spayed and neuter tend to live longer and are healthier lives than rabbits who are unaltered. Female rabbits who have been spayed are basically no longer at risk of reproductive cancers such as ovarian, uterine, and mammarian. While neutered male rabbits live longer lives due to a lack of aggression towards other animals.
2. Fixed rabbits make better pets. Rabbits become calmer, more affectionate, and trustworthy once they no longer have the urge to mate with other rabbits. Essentially, your rabbit will be less prone to chewing and digging which are destructive behaviors while also demonstrating less aggressive behaviors such as biting, lunging, and growling.
3. Spaying and neutering rabbits can help you avoid unwanted behaviors. Unneutered male rabbits spray, and emit a skunk-like odor when they are trying to attract a mate. Neutering your rabbit will stop this behavior and make being around your rabbit much more enjoyable. In addition, male and female rabbits are much easier to litter train once they have been fix, which make cleaning up after your pet a breeze.
4. Altered rabbits can safely have a companion to play with. Rabbits are extremely social animals and love the company of other rabbits. Rabbits in the wild live in warrens which can contain up to 30 rabbits in the same network of burrows. Domesticated rabbits don’t usually get to live in the same size habitat as their wild brethren, so hormones can run high and cause sexual and aggressive behaviors between two rabbits. Its best to get a rabbit fixed so they can have a friend.
5. Lastly, fixed rabbits can’t contribute to the problem of overpopulation. Millions of cats, dogs, and rabbits are put down in animal shelters due being unwanted by owners. Unwanted rabbits are often left in fields, parks, or on streets where they suffer from starvation, sickness, and become easy prey to other animals and traffic accidents. Selling a rabbit to a pet store is not much better, because they are sold to anyone who has money and not necessarily to an owner who can properly take care of them.

 

Thus, if you are looking to keep your rabbit as a pet (inside or outside), spaying or neutering them is going to save you a lot of trouble and keep your rabbit happy and healthy.

 

Now that we have gone over all the great reasons why to spay and neuter your rabbit, you might have some questions:

 

Is spaying and neutering safe for rabbits?

            Spaying and neutering your rabbit will involve surgery. Spaying females involves a more complex surgery compared to having a male neutered. And as in any operation for animals there is a small percentage (1%) that die from anesthesia. Unfortunately, the vast majority of veterinarians are not experienced in safe rabbit surgery techniques due to rabbits being considered “exotic”. To help reduce the chance of harm coming to your rabbit in surgery, do your homework and research veterinarians who are experienced with rabbits and have done several spays and neuters on a rabbit before. Most vets are upfront with their experience in handling and caring for exotic animals, so just ask.

 

Does age matter when spaying and neutering rabbits?

            Yes, age does matter! Females can get spayed as soon as they are sexually mature (4 months old), but most veterinarians wait until they are 6 months old to do surgery because it is riskier to perform surgery on a younger rabbit. Males can be neutered as soon as their testicles descend (8-12 weeks). Again, make sure you communicate with your vet and make sure they are comfortable doing surgery on a young rabbit.

            If you have an older rabbit and wish to get them fixed, consult with your vet. Many veterinarians believe that after a rabbit has reached 6 years old, anesthetics and surgery become riskier. It is recommended that a health check be done on every rabbit before surgery, just to ensure that your rabbit is healthy before undergoing surgery.

 

How much does it cost to get a rabbit spayed or neutered?

            Costs to spay/neuter a rabbit can vary immensely depending on the area you are located. The low end of the price range can cost as little as $50-$75, while in large urban areas it can cost up to several hundred dollars. The average cost to spay and neuter a rabbit in the country is roughly $250.

 

What does the pre-op and post-op care look like?

            Pre-operative care for rabbits is very minimal, but some rabbit owners give their pets acidophilis for server days prior to surgery. This is done to make certain their rabbits digestive system is working. Also, it is best not to change up your rabbits diet up right before or after surgery just to make them feel comfortable and as healthy as possible.

            Post-operative care will depend on if your pet is getting spayed or neutered. Spays usually require more care due to the invasiveness of the surgery. Most vets will ask you to monitor the incision morning and evening to check for swelling and infections. You will also be sent home with some pain medication for your pet. Follow the veterinarians instructions, and administer the drugs until your rabbits appetite has returned.

 

References:

Spaying and Neutering. (n.d.). Retrieved November 07, 2020, from https://rabbit.org/faq-spaying-and-neutering/