Neutering/spaying

[Bville]

I just read something on Yahoo answers from someone who says they have been raising and showing rabbits for 10 years and does not think neutering or spaying is a good idea or helpful for improving behavior. This is a direct quote from the page:

"Spaying and neutering is really pointless, a waste of money, and an unnecessary risk and pain to the rabbits. Most claim that it affects the rabbits personality, but I have breeding bucks and does that are the sweetest rabbits you could ever find and have had fixed rabbits bite me, so really it all boils down to the rabbits individual personality and the amount of attention and handling it gets. Adequate attention from you is really the best option."

Before I spend hundreds of dollars on neutering my rabbits, can other's give me their experience and opinions?

My rabbits are about 4 months old, can't be together or they will fight, and bite when being held. I was hoping to improve all this with the neutering and gentle socialization with our family.:dunno:

 

[Watermelons]

My rabbits are about 4 months old, can't be together or they will fight, and bite when being held. I was hoping to improve all this with the neutering and gentle socialization with our family.:dunno:

You've answered your own question right here


Yes all personalities are different. What it really boils down to, is WHY are they acting the way their acting? Hormones? Or are they just being twits?
How many breeders keep 2 intact males together as bonded mates?
The biting when being held may need to be solved with extra help you from and your family. Reminding them what they've done is wrong. And bribery and bonding with you.

 

[Flick]

The question of whether or not to neuter a male rabbit was answered for me when I bunny-sat an intact adult male rabbit for 6 weeks. He fell in lust with my forearms. Not my husband's nor my son's. Mine. Whenever my forearms came within reach, he would grab a plug of skin in his teeth, set his nails in a "hold" position, and hump away. Extracting my forearm from his amorous exertions was not pleasant for either of us. My arms looked like failed suicide attempts with bruises from his teeth and long, deep scratches from his nails. I tried redirecting him to a plush toy which he would, at times, use. But, he was obsessed with my forearms and displayed fits of anger when he didn't get his way. He was also very territorial and twice drew blood when I invaded his space to clean up. He sounds like a terror, but actually, he was a sweet rabbit and I liked him alot. But, he taught me that if a rabbit is not going to be bred, it's a kindness to neuter them.

 

[Kittiebot]

I had a similar experience to Flick, my guy would try to hump my arms too and nip, grunt, and circle me. It made him not very fun to be around He's almost 2 months post neuter and is super cuddly and awesome again and uses his litterbox like a champ! I'd say def neuter him if you aren't breeding him.

 

[akane]

People who breed rabbits rarely keep them together so have no reason to neuter. They also rarely keep them in a house where buck spraying is an issue. Biting is usually a socialization problem instead except a few does who are hormonal and do benefit from a spay.

 

[Bville]

People who breed rabbits rarely keep them together so have no reason to neuter.

I guess someone who breeds and shows rabbits might have a different perspective than someone who has rabbits purely as pets.

Thanks for all your opinions and experiences everyone.

 

[nora123]

Hi neutered rabbits stop spaying its stops females having false pregnancies which often leads to them pulling their fur out it makes them calmer and there is a high risk of females who have not been spayed getting uterus cancer and its a lot easier to bond rabbits that have been spayed neutered the rspca and vets always advice it hope this helps.

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

I have rabbits both for breeding/showing and as pets.

In my opinion, spaying or neutering is not necessary, but I do recommend it to households with more than one animal. In the case of one or more bunnies, it's simply the best way to prevent unwanted breeding or hormonal behavior. Even with just one bunny, you may find that a buck sprays or a doe becomes aggressive around maturity. This is not always the case, which is why our pets aren't altered - both have nice temperaments and no destructive behaviors. They also live individually so breeding isn't a concern.

Having your rabbits (or dogs, cats, any pet) spayed or neutered is usually a good option if it's available to you. But since most rabbits are contained at least inside the house, if not actually caged, I don't think it's as necessary as altering a dog/cat that may leave the house more often either on purpose or accidentally. It can be rather expensive and not every veterinarian is rabbit savvy, so those things have to weigh into your decision too.

What I (and many other breeders) don't condone is the "80% of females will die of uterine cancer" type of insistence to spay. While I don't absolutely dispute it, I don't feel as though there has been enough consistent or reliable research done to make that claim. As mentioned, I think cost, veterinarian experience, number of animals in the household, and behavior should be the deciding factors.

 

[Zaiya]

Something I just want to add since I'm in 4-H and showing my rabbits: If you're showing your rabbit, altering them is a DQ. Why? No idea. I guess they just want to see the rabbit for being itself and not changed in any way. Maybe someone else has a better explanation?

But it sounds like you're not showing, or breeding for that matter, so this post really has no value to you. XD Maybe to other people reading this that show their rabbits...

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

Something I just want to add since I'm in 4-H and showing my rabbits: If you're showing your rabbit, altering them is a DQ. Why? No idea. I guess they just want to see the rabbit for being itself and not changed in any way. Maybe someone else has a better explanation?

But it sounds like you're not showing, or breeding for that matter, so this post really has no value to you. XD Maybe to other people reading this that show their rabbits...

Rabbit shows are to get the best for breeding. The rabbit are judged against the breed standard and the purpose is to find the best rabbits so they can be used for breeding. It is pointless to show an altered rabbit since they can't be bred. Some shows do have a pet class for altered or mixed breed rabbits and some fairs don't care too much if a rabbit is altered.

 

[Bville]

Rabbit shows are to get the best for breeding. The rabbit are judged against the breed standard and the purpose is to find the best rabbits so they can be used for breeding. It is pointless to show an altered rabbit since they can't be bred. Some shows do have a pet class for altered or mixed breed rabbits and some fairs don't care too much if a rabbit is altered.

The quote that started this thread makes more sense to me now. I see why someone who breeds and shows rabbits would be against altering. They have no purpose for doing it.

 

[Chrisdoc]

Exactly. I have three boys who are all neutered. Main reasons were behavioural changes as they reached maturity ie they began fighting and spraying. It was easy and they recovered very quickly and although two of them have had issues since, they are all now living happily together. I would certainly recommend it, you never know if you may decide to get them a buddy.

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

For me, it does somewhat depend on the rabbit. All but 2 of mine are neutered or spayed. Tesla and Kraken are both intact bucks and came to me as adults. They don't spray, are pretty good with the litter box and are not aggressive. Other than some humping and general hormonal behaviour, mostly from Tesla, they are not too bad. I do think about getting them neutered.
When it comes to females, they will be spayed. Doing agility, I don't like having an intact girl as there are intact bucks around and I don't want to deal with a pregnancy or emergency spay. I have found the intact females tend to be more grumpy as well.

 

[nora123]

Going by my experience the rabbits I have had that have not been spayed have pulled their and their neutered partners fur out they have made nests and they have been agressive once neutered they have not had anymore false pregnancies they have calmed down towards mate and me and prabably because all mine are neutered I have had no cases of ovarian cancer the vet has advised me to have all mine spayed and neutered so I have taken his advice dont get me wrong I am not a know it all I am demented with some of my rabbits having back teeth spur problems and welcome any advice on this but as for the spaying I feel its best for the bunnies to be spayed just my opinion.

 

[Bville]

I feel its best for the bunnies to be spayed just my opinion.

I know Betty White agrees. She is always saying, "Spay and neuter your pets!"

 

[Zaiya]

I know Betty White agrees. She is always saying, "Spay and neuter your pets!"

Obviously that only applies to people who are not breeding or showing their animals. If you're just keeping the animals as pets, there is no reason to keep them intact as it could just cause unwanted pregnancies.

Can I ask a question relating somewhat to this? When showing, bucks can't be neutered but does can be spayed, because the judge can't tell if she's spayed or not? Someone more knowledgeable on showing might know the answer to this.

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

Can I ask a question relating somewhat to this? When showing, bucks can't be neutered but does can be spayed, because the judge can't tell if she's spayed or not? Someone more knowledgeable on showing might know the answer to this.

Technically, you could show a spayed doe. It is unethical though and I believe she would be DQed if found out. You can also technically show a mixed breed rabbit provided that is looks lie the breed you are showing it as. Pedigrees are not required to show and some breeders do mix to introduce a certain trait or colour.

 

[Zaiya]

OK. My fair isn't very strict, and I'm guessing altered rabbits are allowed anyways (I'll ask). Thanks!

 

[BunnyWabbit]

My rabbits will never be bred so they have no use for their uterus, ovaries, or testicles. I've seen improved litter habits, reduced territorial behaviors, reduction in destructive habits, and I can bond them with each other without making lots of babies or having hormonal based fights. They also have a zero chance developing uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, or testicular cancer. A healthy rabbit in the hands of a skilled vet has a very low chance of having any complications during surgery.

The only down sides I see for a pet owner when it comes to spaying and neutering are the cost and the risk. It can be expensive and even minimized there is always a risk with any surgery. Personally, I spay/neuter my dogs, cats, and rabbits and have never regretted it.

Just wanted to re-iterate that I'm talking about non breeding pet owners only. Someone who breeds/shows obviously has a reason/invested interest in not spaying and neutering.