How To Tell If A Rabbit Is Neutered?

Neuter is a surgery by which the testicles of a male animal are removed in order to sterilize or make it infertile. A male rabbit can still have some semen left in his body for up to three weeks after the surgery. So, during this time period, a male rabbit that has recently been neutered should be kept away from an unaltered female rabbit. Accordingly, spaying is the surgery performed on female rabbits in order to remove their reproductive organs. It is done through the abdomen of the female rabbit.

Many people are not aware that neutering or spaying is good for a rabbit. It is very much essential for a rabbit just like a dog or cat. As a pet owner, you should know the details about neutering or spaying your pet rabbit so that it gets a long and healthy life. In this article, we have tried to cover some of the benefits of neutering or spaying your house rabbit, the ideal time to do it and the precautions to be taken.

Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your House Rabbit

There are many benefits of neutering or spaying a house rabbit. The foremost benefit is that it reduces the risk of cancer as well as infections in the urinary tract to a great extent. Secondly, neutering or spaying makes a rabbit calm and thus, easier to manage. The destructive habits of the rabbit are reduced to some extent without losing their charming nature.

It also makes it easier to train and less urge to urinate. Because of their calm nature, the altered rabbit is also easier to bond with the other rabbits. Finally, a rabbit couple who has undergone neutering or spaying will not end up with a litter of baby buns. Apparently, the baby bunnies may look adorable but there will always be an issue of overpopulation. And do remember that almost all the rabbit shelters always remain full.

Ideal Age To Neuter or Spay Your House Rabbit

The ideal age of neutering a male rabbit is between 3 to 5 months. In the case of a female rabbit, spaying can be done between 4 to 6 months. This is the time when they first reach their sexual maturity. The rabbits become too old to be altered when they reach middle age which is around 5 to 6 years. If the rabbits are too young or too old, surgery should be avoided as it may lead to a higher risk of complications.

Final Words

You have to find an experienced veterinarian who can perform a safe neuter or spay of your pet rabbit. Please make sure that the vet has experience working with rabbits. You can consult with the local rabbit shelter in your area. They will know the best vet for your pet. If your rabbit has been adopted from a shelter or rescue center, it may already have been altered. Please ask them about it. Last but not least, make sure to monitor the condition of your rabbit after alteration for any kind of changes in its behavior, pulling at stitches, signs of infection, or failure to eat.