spraying vs breeding female buny

[szelak]

spray vs breeding female bunny? Anyone know what is best for bunny and reserving her perfect personality?

 

[MiniLopHop]

Female rabbits have an extremely high chance of reproductive (uterine, overy, mammary) cancers. Some stats are 85% by age 6 if they are not spayed so for her health it is a very good idea. If you want a sweet disposition spaying definately helps because it takes away the hormonal issues such as being territorial (aggression).

 

[Nelsons_Mom]

Unless your female is from a pedigreed stock with well documented health and behavior heritage and the potential male as well, she should not be bred. She should be spayed for reduced risk of cancer, as well as the diminish of undesirable hormonal behaviors.

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

I have heard of cases where breeding can make a rabbit more aggressive or moody, this can last after she has had the litter and weaned them. There are some who are cranky and moody, but mellow out when they have a litter. Breeding does cause the hormones to fluctuate, so the behaviour can change. Breeding also means you have to deal with babies, death (not all babies survive), finding homes for the babies, separating them to avoid more breeding and many more. It can also be expensive just in added feed, cages and the possibility of vet bills. There is a risk that your female can get sick or even die at some point.

Spayed rabbits don't have the hormones, so tend to be more consistent with their behaviour. They won't be wanting to hump and mate all the time. There really is no change in personality after you get them spayed, but they tend to be a bit calmer.

 

[LakeCondo]

If a young female rabbit has raging hormones, spaying returns her to her pre-hormone personality, though perhaps with some maturity as well.

 

[szelak]

Thanks! What about the bunny though, do you think they want to be a mom? The breeder I got her from gave me the option to breed her or neuter her, i would have to give her the babies, I could keep one if I wanted. So that adds additional items to think about, ultimately I just want foo-fee to be happy and keep her sweet disposition.

 

[MiserySmith]

Rabbits whole lives in a wild is mating. If you give any animal the chance it's going to mate. It's instinct, no different than humans popping out babies. but having a litter isn't something to just jump into at all, and can be problematic for both mom and kits. You never know what will happen.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Since all of ours are rescues and will never be shown, they are neutered. Makes them better citizens without the hormone driven behaviors.

 

[szelak]

Thanks for the responses. Im realy in love with this bunny and she is truly a part of our family. I dont want her wonderful personality to change with either breeding or fixing. Breeding just appears the more humane approach "humane" huh! I guess what I mean it is what happens in nature and fixing does not. I utlimately want what is best for her. Does the bunny have a more fulfilled life if she has a litter? How would she feel if they were all taken away! Yikes. If we kept one boy bunny would they even get along? So much to think about the mind boggles!

 

[szelak]

Love your photo by the way, Foo-Fee has done this many times but never quick enough to snap the photo! How did you upload your photo and get it into the space where your name appears?
Thanks
SZelak

 

[Nelsons_Mom]

Unlike humans, animals don't have the brain function it takes to "want" or "not want" a litter. It instinct, like eating or drinking. Perception of cuteness is strictly primate, so they take care of litters as a sense of duty more than a sense of motherly desire that humans have.

There is way more than enough unwanted and homeless bunnies in the world. Unless I was heavily involved with showing, or an uncommon breed, I couldn't justify breeding. Therefore, I would spay.

And spaying changes behavior for the better! She's a baby now, and probably friendly and sweet. Around 5 months the hormones will start kicking in and she will have accidents, can become aggressive and territorial, can have false pregnancies, and has an outrageously high chance of developing painful and fatal cancer.

Spaying means you'll get to keep your sweet little girl's personality!

 

[Nelsons_Mom]

Also, in nature, female bunnies have back to back litters and die at only a couple if years old as opposed to fixed domestic bunnies who live about 10+ yrs.

 

[szelak]

Got it! Ok Thank You Nelson's Mom, that made it clear.....