Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Rabbit

There are a lot of health advantages to spaying or neutering rabbits. And this includes extending their life expectancy. But what are the other benefits of spaying or neutering your rabbit? Well, I’ll get to that in a minute. Spaying or neutering your pet refers to sterilization. Or making them infertile and incapable of reproduction. Terms like ‘having your pet fixed’ or ‘altered’ are the same as having them spayed or neutered. Males get neutered while females get spayed.

In addition, we’re all aware that veterinarians recommend getting our cats and dogs spayed or neutered. However you may not know that having your rabbit fixed is just as vital as having your dog or cat fixed.

Health Benefits of Spaying Female Your Rabbit

• Removes the potential for ovarian and uterine cancers. Additionally other uterine problems like pyometra are reduced as well. Pyometra is an infection of the reproductive tract.

The threat of uterine cancers escalates as rabbits mature. So it’s best to spay females before they reach 2 years old to minimize the risk.

• Reduces the possibility of them getting mammary gland cancer and mastitis.

Just as in uterine cancers, age increases the risk of female rabbits getting mammary gland cancer. So an intact older female is more in danger for this type of cancer. Also, females have 8 mammary glands, which further adds to their risk of cancer and mastitis. But spaying greatly removes the likelihood that they’ll get either mammary gland cancer or mastitis.

• Spaying your female rabbit eliminates pseudo, or phantom, pregnancies.

Pseudopregnancies are false pregnancies. Which means the female rabbit will start showing signs of being pregnant. But without actually having a fetus in her uterus. And false pregnancies can happen even if there is only one intact female rabbit. By herself. While the only other factor is she hasn’t been spayed.

• Lowers the chances that your rabbit will get urinary tract infections.

There are many different causes for UTIs. But spaying your rabbit can help decrease the odds of her getting one.

Health Benefits of Neutering Your Male Rabbit

• Reduces the risk of testicular cancer.

Sometimes bucks, or males rabbits, get testicular cancer. However the male rabbit may not exhibit any signs of having a problem.

• Neutering your male rabbit eliminates the risk of orchitis and other STDs.

I know, interesting, right? One of the STDs rabbits can get is syphilis.

• Also, neutering reduces the chances that your male rabbit will get UTIs if he is neutered.

Other Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Rabbit: Both Sexes

As you can see, there are many health incentives to having a rabbit fixed. And most of them involve the reproductive organs. Because most of the issues rabbits get tend to revolve around those organs.

Also, there are other advantages when spaying or neutering your rabbit. Which can be seen relationally. Furthermore, these benefits are common to both sexes.

• Mitigates terrorizing behavior.

Both sexes can be aggressive to the opposite sex. And also to their own sex. Additionally typical hostile behavior includes biting, lunging, and mounting. But once rabbits hit sexual maturity, this behavior can be intractable.

And both males and females can still mount after getting fixed. So in this case, it’s not about procreation; it’s about dominance. But if the rabbits have been spayed or neutered, they’re less likely to get injured.

• Spaying or neutering your rabbit will minimize the chances of either one marking their territory.

Both sexes mark their territories, which could include you or other animals, with urine. Although this is more common with male rabbits. And the habits of spraying are difficult to break after they hit maturity.

• Makes litter training rabbits easier.

Until rabbits hit maturity, and everything that goes with it, you might have some success with potty training. However after that time, when rabbits are more interested in marking their territory and reproducing, your success will eventually wane. Therefore, spaying and neutering rabbits also helps the process of litter box training. So they don’t go to the bathroom all over your house.

• Both sexes become easier to handle.

Prior to sexual maturity, rabbits are pretty easy to manage. But once they hit that magic age, all of that earlier handling disappears. Both males and females can become aggressive, even to their owners. Although spaying and neutering rabbits calms them back down. And makes it possible to bond with them.

• Lastly, it prevents unwanted pregnancies.

Many might think it would be sweet to have kittens (baby bunnies). However the likelihood that you would find homes for them is very small. Starting anywhere from 3-6 months, they’re fertile. And they can have numerous kittens per litter.

When to Spay or Neuter Your Rabbit

You should get your rabbit spayed or neutered before they develop any illnesses. Or problem behaviors. However, with that in mind, most people recommend around 4 to 6 months. But it’s best to establish a relationship with an exotic animal vet and ask them. That way they can see your rabbit and answer any questions you may have.

I hope you enjoyed this post, and that I answered any questions. And thanks for reading my post. As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to ask or comment.