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Why Spay or Neuter Your Rabbit

Behavioral Benefits

Rabbits are 90% hormones. Female rabbits enter into heat (“spontaneous ovulation” and virtually stay in season throughout their lives. Both female and male rabbits spray their loved one to mark them as theirs. Although we humans certainly do not appreciate this behavior, to the rabbit, it is one of their ultimate love offerings. Spaying or neutering your rabbit will stop this unwanted behavior and reduce the stress of your rabbit immeasurably. Remember that it takes approximately 1 month for males and up to 3 months for females to have all of the hormones exit their bodies. If your rabbit is older (over 3) then sometimes the hormones will take longer to fade away. Please be patient – your rabbit is worth it!

Other unwanted and destructive behaviors, such as chomping your baseboards into nice little splinters, tearing at your carpet (but all I wanted to do is make a nice nest, Mom!), munching on your computer wires and annoying your friends at dinner parties will be virtually eradicated by spaying or neutering your darling house rabbit. More behaviors include:
  • Cage aggression
  • Food aggression
  • Attacking their human friends
  • Attacking and killing each other
  • False pregnancy
  • Digging and tunneling
    • When you adopt a rabbit from a humane organization, you should ask if the rabbit has already been spayed or neutered. Usually, it is state law that any animal adopted from a humane organization be spayed or neutered. When you adopt a rabbit from us, we will tell you if the rabbit has already been altered. If it has not, then before you can take it home it will be brought to our vet for surgery. The only exception is for our babies – but we will follow up with you and take care of any arrangements.

    Health Benefits

    Cancer is prevalent among the rabbit species. It is estimated that, by the age of 5 years, a female rabbit can develop uterine or ovarian cancer and a male rabbit, testicular or prostate cancer. Spaying or neutering your rabbit can prevent these hormone related cancers.

    Benefits to the Community

    Cancer is prevalent among the rabbit species. It is estimated that, by the age of 5 years, a female rabbit can develop uterine or ovarian cancer and a male rabbit, testicular or prostate cancer. Spaying or neutering your rabbit can prevent these hormone related cancers.