Do I Need to Spay/Neuter My Rabbit?

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic
Updated:  September 7th, 2022
Tyler Olson/Shutterstock

You might think that, if you have a single rabbit, you don’t need to spay or neuter them – because there’s no risk of the unwanted litter when they don’t have a mate. But spaying and neutering are not only important to prevent unwanted rabbit pregnancy. These procedures can prevent serious health issues, eliminate negative behaviors, and even prolong their life. 


Benefits of Spaying/Neutering Your Rabbit


It may seem unnecessary or even cruel to spay or neuter your rabbit, but the truth of the matter is that it’s a fairly simple surgical procedure that can immensely contribute to your pet’s health and wellbeing. Here are some of the main benefits of spaying or neutering your pet bunny:


  • Drastically reduces the chances of reproductive cancers


Unfixed rabbits are at an extremely high risk of developing reproductive cancers as they age – statistics show that an unspayed female rabbit has a 65% chance of developing uterine adenocarcinoma by 4 years of age. Of course, chances are also high for ovarian cancer and other common uterine diseases, such as pyometra, when the bunny isn’t spayed – but when you surgically remove ovaries and uterus, there’s no possibility for these diseases to develop.


Although not as common as uterine cancers, testicular cancers are also a possibility for intact male rabbits. Neutering will prevent this with the removal of testes – as well as a myriad of destructive behaviors driven by sex hormones.


  • Eliminates unwanted hormone-driven behaviors


When a rabbit, either male or female, isn’t spayed or neutered, their behavior will be dramatically influenced by their sex hormones – and not in a positive way. Both sexes can get extremely aggressive, females even more so, resulting in biting, lunging at people or other pets, and fighting other rabbits if you have more than one. Similarly, rabbits that haven’t been altered have an instinct to mark their territory with urine and will most likely spray all over your house – which isn’t the case when you spay or neuter them. Needless to say, their urine will be foul smelling because of the hormones, even more potent than the usual stuff. 


When fixed, rabbits become more friendly and affectionate, can form meaningful bonds with their owners, and won’t mind company – if you plan on keeping more than one rabbit, they must be neutered or spayed to ensure they won’t fight or mate. 


  • Makes rabbits easier to train


If you plan on keeping your bunny indoors, as most pet owners do, you’ll want to train them to use a litterbox. And if they’re not altered, it will be a mission impossible, both due to their desire to mark territory with urine and the fact that they won’t be interested to cooperate. On the other hand, fixed rabbits are much easier to teach and can be potty trained with great success. 


  • Prevents unwanted litters


The most obvious benefit of spaying and neutering your bunnies is that it will help reduce the overpopulation issue. Rabbits are prolific when it comes to mating and reproducing – a doe can have as many as 2 to 4 litters in the season, and each litter can have five to twelve kits! Unfortunately, just as is the case with dogs and cats, there are simply too many bunnies already in need of a good home, and bringing new bunnies into the world that you can’t care for would be irresponsible and cruel. 


When’s the Right Time to Spay or Neuter a Rabbit?


It’s best to spay or neuter your rabbit when they reach sexual maturity, which is between 3 and 6 months of age – depending on their size and breed. Not only does this prevent potential health problems on time, but it also minimizes the risks related to anesthesia, which can be higher if the rabbit is older.


While the procedure is routine, it’s best to find a veterinarian that specializes in rabbits and has experience doing this surgery. This will ensure that everything goes smoothly and your bunny is good as new in no time. Usually, it takes a few days for the rabbit to recover from the procedure, and during that period you should monitor them for any signs that something is amiss, such as decreased appetite or abnormal stool.

WOW
Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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Whether you want to take your cat on outdoor adventures or want to be sure your kitty will be easier to find if they dart out the door, a cat collar can give you peace of mind. The tricky part is training your feline to wear a collar. Although this can be a little challenging, it isn’t impossible, and some cats take to it more readily than others.Keep reading to learn about some of the ways to get your cat used to wearing a collar.

Pet Safety Reminders For the 4th of July

When preparing for a fun-packed Fourth of July, it’s essential to consider your pets. While fireworks, barbecues, and picnics provide endless fun to people, all the festivities can be frightening and potentially dangerous for cats and dogs.Whether or not you are gearing up for your own Fourth of July celebration, there are several things you can do to keep your pets safe during festivities. Here’s how to keep your pets safe this Fourth of July:1. Keep Your Fur Baby IndoorsPets and fireworks don’t mix, so it’s best to keep cats and dogs indoors during Independence Day celebrations. Dogs and cats are more sensitive to noise than people and are afraid of fireworks. Some pets can become so scared when fireworks start to go off that they may bolt. Keeping your pet indoors will ensure they remain safe and sound during the celebration. 2. Create a Quiet and Safe Space for Your PetConsider how the Fourth of July celebration can affect your pet. Dogs and cats are more sensitive to noise and will appreciate having a safe and quiet space to retreat to.The laundry room or a bathroom often don’t have windows and may serve as a less-noisy sanctuary for a scared pet. Throw in a cozy bed, some of your pet’s favorite toys, and a bowl of fresh water to help them relax.3. Update Your Pets Microchip and ID Tag Information Even if you do everything right, accidents can still happen. If despite your best efforts your pet happens to get loose and run away, make sure they can be easily identified and returned to their home. Have your pet wear a collar with up-to-date contact information to make their return home more likely.Microchipping your pet serves as an added method of identification. Unlike a collar with ID tags, a microchip can’t become lost and is your best bet for having your pet returned home safe and sound. 4. Keep Your Pets Away From AlcoholAlcohol is toxic to cats and dogs. Alcohol poisoning is common in pets and can happen from ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption of alcohol or alcohol-containing products. Signs of alcohol poisoning include, staggering, excitement, lack of coordination, excess drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, lethargy, increased thirst and urination, difficulty breathing, low body temperature, coma, and seizures.  5. Keep Your Pet Away From CitronellaCitronella candles, torches, and sprays are commonly used in the summer as a mosquito repellant. However, none of these products are safe for pets to be around. Citronella plant is toxic to pets and can cause skin irritation, weakness, drooling, abdominal pain, and vomiting. If you’re planning on throwing a Fourth of July celebration in your backyard, keep your pets away from any citronella products, or better yet, opt for a pet-safe natural insect repellant. 6. Know the Signs of OverheatingPets don’t fare well in hot and humid weather, and being outside at high temperatures increases the risk of overheating. Ensure your pets have access to fresh cool water at all times, and provide plenty of shade to minimize the risk of overheating. Labored breathing, heavy panting, increased heart rate, and drooling are signs of overheating in pets. Brachycephalic breeds, like French bulldogs, pugs, and Boston terriers are at an increased risk of overheating, so extra care must be taken to keep these pups cool and protected from the scorching heat. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Do Dogs Sweat?

As the hot summer months roll in with a bang, you might find yourself drenched in sweat. With the climate going haywire, it is a common thing all across the world. While trying to cool down, you might be wondering if your pet is doing the same– do dogs sweat like humans do? To answer this question, it is important to understand how dogs regulate their body temperature and to dive deep into the intriguing aspects of canine physiology. Do Dogs Sweat?Humans have a well-developed system of sweat glands that are distributed across the skin’s surface. These glands are known as eccrine glands and they play a crucial role in thermoregulation by secreting sweat, which cools down the body as it evaporates. Dogs, however, have a totally different “mechanism” for managing heat.Of course, they also have sweat glands, but these are primarily located in their paw pads. They are called merocrine glands and are similar to human eccrine glands but are less numerous and less effective at cooling the body. While doggos can produce a small amount of sweat through their paw pads, it is still not enough to significantly impact their overall body temperature.So how do they cool themselves? Well, the primary way dogs regulate their body temperature is through panting. When a dog pants, it rapidly breathes in through the nose and out through the mouth, allowing moisture to evaporate from the tongue, mouth, and upper respiratory tract. This process effectively dissipates heat and cools the dog down. Panting also increases the airflow over the moist surfaces, enhancing evaporation and heat loss. 

FIP Treatment Now Available for Cats

As of June 1, 2024, pet parents can get the FIP treatment they need for their cats, but there is some confusion about this. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal condition, but pet parents have been using a drug, GS-441524, to cure their cats (though the drug is not always effective in all cases). Despite the success of the treatment, the problem has been that the drug was only available on the black market, so people would access it with the help of groups on social media since vets weren’t able to prescribe it.

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