I will be getting a rabbit as a house rabbit (pet) and I am getting mixed info from people. I would like to know, should I get it Spayed / Neutered since I don’t plan to breed it, and I have herd it makes them less moody as well as less proned to get cancers in the reproductive organs…. Is this true?! I have herd the same thing with dogs and cats, so am just trying to get some clarification…
How old (min) will it have to be to get Spayed / Neutered?? I have herd different ages for this as well. Some say 4 months when others say 6 months… So witch is it?
The rabbit I plan to get is a Flemish Giant; don’t know if that makes any difference for any of this info as well, since it is the largest rabbit breed out there… (Average between 15-25lbs full grown. But some can get bigger!)
Any and all info would be great! As well as any web sites to back the info up… Thanks in advance everyone!
2007-01-08 23:59:34 · 11 answers · asked by Steph 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
UPDATE
I just got my Rabbit on Friday... We think it is a Doe, but since s/he was a rescue and only 3 months old, we are not 100% on the sex... I plan to bring it in this weekend for a check up with my vet to see if he can tell on it's sex 100%.. It is a Flemish Giant (one of the largest breeds of rabbits) Like I said, it is only 3 months old, and is 8lbs!! So we are guessing s/he may be around 16 to 17lbs full grown. I plan to get it fixed one way or another, for its well being and health... So far s/he is doing well with litter training and getting used to us. S/he loves to be pet and to have her/his nose and ears pet.
Here is a link to a few pictures I took when we got it home on Friday... http://img444.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img444/1172/1168653446f14.smil
We have 2 names picked out for it so when we get the 100% on it's sex we know what to call it.. But for now it is Bun-Bun...
2007-01-15 15:28:47 · update #1
My family breeds flemish giants, so trust me I know a lot about this stuff!
If you are using him/her for a house rabbit then i suggest getting them spayed/neutered. The males and sometimes the females spray an area to mark their teritory. This can be quiet annoying, but it can be stopped if you get the animal spayed or neutered. Also not that animals that arn't spayed/neutered are mean, but it is more likely that the animal will be nicer and live long if spayed/neutered. There is also less likely a chance that the animal will get a life threatening disease like cancer.
Finally for what age, any age after 5 months should be fine. Infact the sooner you get it done the better, cause a younger fully healthy rabbit has a better chance to heal and bounce back after surgery.
2007-01-09 02:07:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a dwarf holland lop. He is a very tiny bunny. I didn't get him neutered because he is not going to come into contact with other rabbits. The vet also recommended against neutering him because he is so small. As you are getting a giant breed, I would say go ahead and have it done. It will take away his urge to leave territorial droppings, make him less aggresive, and end any spraying that might occur.
If you think it is pricey, wait and see if you have any problems with him. If he begins spraying or is aggressive, then go ahead and have him snipped. However, you might have a very well tempered rabbit without neutering him.
2007-01-13 17:40:23 · answer #2 · answered by stampadhesive 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would definitely reccomend spaying or neutering your pet rabbit. It's amazing, as a rescue, how many rabbits are dumped because "they're aggressive" or "hard to deal with", that once spayed and neutered become very loving pets.
Unspayed females have an 80% chance of developing uterine cancer. Any female rabbit we've taken in over the age of 2 has had cysts developing on her ovaries.
In addition to not being so hormonal and hard to deal with, they're also easier to litter train, and are not so fixated on marking everywhere.
2007-01-09 08:15:54 · answer #3 · answered by Lotus Effect 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've heard too that having them fixed reduces the chances of them getting cancer or having other problems. My niece got her bunny neutered, and then rescued one from a rabbit shelter that was already spayed. they're pretty chill. Infact the rabbit rescue place wont let you adopt their rabbits , if you already have one, until you have yours fixed. I have 2 rabbits- one i took from a woman who was neglecting her, hadnt cleaned her cage or taken her out in weeks, often forgot to feed her, every time i came over she was out of water, etc. ..I got the second one from a pet store. neither one are fixed. Theyre both pretty cool with me but they hate other people. If you stick your hand in their cage, youre getting attacked. Im not sure if this is because theyre not fixed. (I think the first rabbit just has trust issues because of her first home).
Personally---I'd say if you can afford it, do it. Just incase what people say about them getting cancer is true, you dont want your little bunny to die early. Also, if you ever decide you want another rabbit in the future, you can get one of the opposite sex (they tend to get along better) and not have to worry about having 500000 baby rabbits in a week.
I believe they have to be 6 months old atleast but to be sure you'll have to ask the vet who you plan on taking your rabbit too. It might be based on the rabbits weight. Good luck and have fun with your furry friend.
Heres some sites about spaying or neutering your rabbits
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/why_you_should_spay_or_neuter_your_pet.html
http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/spay-neuter.html
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/rabbits/46441
2007-01-09 09:35:46 · answer #4 · answered by Dani 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the males can be altered after the testicles decend. Females reach maturity soon after. Larger breeeds, like Flems, reach maturity slower than the smaller dwarf breeds. Definately spay and neuter, aside from cancer, rabbits are made to reproduce, like all animals. To always have that urge and to never be able to mate leads to a very frustrated bunny. They are like teenagers when they aren't fixed. They can be aggressive, moody, refuse food, shake the bars of their pen all night. All kinds of stuff. Fixing them well, fixes that.
2007-01-09 12:58:40 · answer #5 · answered by ♪Majestik moose© ★is preggers★ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! It is always a great idea to spay/neuter. My cousin has a whole male and he sprays and has a tendency to bite. 6 months is about average. If you get him neutered sooner, he might not grow as large.
2007-01-09 12:10:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personally I don't like the idea of neutering. It isn't natural.. My friend had a rabbit who lived for 5 years - R.I.P puddles - and he wasn't neutered. He was such a cutie. She littre box trained him right when she got him, so he didnt pee to mark territory since he knows to only pee in the litter box. Also, he was not aggressive! He would only bite when he feels threatened.
Mine is unneutered and I will not be neutering him. I just cant quite grasp the idea of .. " fixing rabbits "
It's not natural and its scary -.-
But that's just my opinion :P besides, I'm somehow able to deal with his naughtiness. Haha I kinda like it actually ;D
2014-03-04 15:53:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok if u do get a rabbit i would say u could spay or nuter it but it can be risky for rabbits because they are sensitive to anestetia and it could kill them but it might live wich mine did he got it done last night.
2007-01-15 18:30:20 · answer #8 · answered by bunny fun rabbitry 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you should contact an veterinarian and ask this question and you will get the answer you seek I myself can only answer by guessing and I don't want to do that.
2007-01-14 19:09:49 · answer #9 · answered by heavenlli_61 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Animals have feelings to and how do you think he would feel if you cut off his manhood
2007-01-15 10:01:44 · answer #10 · answered by Garr G 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋