Do rabbits need to be spayed neutered?
D. Many people are surprised to learn that it’s a rabbit’s best interest to have him neutered or her spayed. But it’s as true for a rabbit as it is for a dog or cat. Depending on his/her genetic makeup, a rabbit will reach sexual maturity somewhere between the age of 3 to 8 months.
Is it necessary to neuter a rabbit?
Spaying or neutering your rabbit can significantly adds to their life expectancy and benefits their general health and wellbeing. The most obvious perk of these routine surgeries is eliminating the risk of reproductive cancers (mammary, uterine, ovarian, testicular) that are dishearteningly common in unaltered rabbits.
How much does it cost to spay neuter a rabbit?
This procedure can make them less temperamental (very important if they’re going to be owned by children) and it decreases the risk of many illnesses and cancers. This is a one-off procedure, and most vets will charge between $100 – $300.
Why are so many rabbits not spayed or neutered?
Rabbits reproduce often and if you have a male and female together, they will almost surely produce offspring unless neutered or spayed. Rabbit overpopulation is a growing problem, with many rabbits abandoned by their owners and sold in pet stores that don’t care what kind of home they go to.
What should I take to the Vet when my rabbit is spayed?
You also need to take with some of your bunny’s favourite treats for after the operation. The vet will be keen for your rabbit to start eating again as soon as possible, so anything that will tempt them to start eating is good. When I arrived at the vets with Fish and Chips, there were a couple of things to do before I left them.
How to take care of a bunny after neutering?
Use a clean cloth to wipe down the cage’s walls and floors. Sterilize the water bowls and toys in hot water. You can boil water before removing it from the heat for a minute. Pour it over the bowls and toys. Move your rabbit hutch inside. While you may have an outdoor bunny, you will want to keep the rabbit inside while it heals.
How long does it take for a rabbit to get neutered?
Although the surgery itself only takes around 30 minutes, your rabbit needs to be prepared for surgery and then monitored after they recover. Expect to leave the rabbit with the vet and collect them later in the day. Understand why spaying and neutering is important. There are many reasons why you might choose to spay or neuter your rabbit.
How many rabbits have been spayed or neutered in the US?
The House Rabbit Society has had over 1000 rabbits spayed or neutered with approximately .1% mortality due to anesthesia. A knowledgeable rabbit veterinarian can spay or neuter your rabbit with very little risk to a healthy rabbit.
How to care for a rabbit after a neuter or spay?
However, it’s completely understandable that you would be anxious about the surgery and want to know what to expect. To care for your rabbit after a spay or neuter surgery, you need to keep your rabbit warm and comfortable. Make sure they have easy access to food and water, and avoid handling your rabbit whenever possible.
Is it possible to neuter both male and female rabbits?
If you already use a veterinary practice, ask whether they neuter rabbits. Most small animal vets are happy to neuter both male and female rabbits these days, but some practices do still refer rabbit surgery – especially spays, or higher-risk rabbits – to specialist exotics practices.
Is it safe to have an unspayed female rabbit?
And some hormone-related phenomena are simply dangerous to your bunny: unspayed, unbred female rabbits have a very high risk of uterine cancer. Although not all rabbits exhibit objectionable behaviors upon reaching sexual maturity, many (if not most) do. One can expect to see the following behaviors once those sex hormones kick in:
