Behavior after Neutering

[Patrick Murtha]

I am bringing my six-month-old male Lionhead, Benjamin, to the vet next Saturday for his neutering surgery. I was wondering, what sort of behavioral changes people here have seen in their male rabbits after that surgery? Benjamin is a delightful little guy with a lot of spunk and a very high energy level. He gets along well with my older female Birman cat except when he shows what looks like sexual interest in her, which annoys her a bit (but they seem to turn it into a game).

So what will happen after the surgery? Will his energy level diminish (right now he runs laps around the apartment when I let him out)? Will he give up coming on to the cat in that male “Let’s party” way? I know that every rabbit is individual, of course, but I am curious what the general experience has been.

Benjamin is extremely affectionate toward and very physically comfortable with me. He enjoys attention and loves to play. He comes when I call his name, and he stops a behavior immediately if I bark out “No.” He is perfectly litter-trained to the pan in his pen, and seldom even drops a pellet outside the pen. He is already a very good rabbit! 

[jerseygirl]

It’s hard to tell from your avatar, is he half black half white or is he sitting in something? I see he has black eye markings and ears. Oh the cuteness!

You should generally see the hormone charged behaviours lessen. Though directly after a neuter they may actually increase. I have read that there can actually be a testosterone surge due to handling of the testes during the procedure. In general though, it takes about a month (sometimes longer) for the hormones to deplete so there is a period that things can be a bit haywire.

As for behavior in the long term, he should become more settled/less “frantic”. Sometimes people are saddened to see an energy level drop or personality change. I believe that is more to do with transistion from baby to adult rabbit and their actual personality coming out, more then a result of the surgery.

Hope it goes smoothly for him. 

[Patrick Murtha]

He is sitting in his carrier in that picture, which was taken by my vet’s assistant and posted on her blog. He is all white, except for the markings you mention. He has doubled in size since the picture, and is about 3 pounds now.

If he becomes a calmer rabbit, that is fine. He is a little frantic now, in a pleasantly youthful way. Since my cat is demonstrably fond of him when he is not being too aggressive — she actually licks his nose through the bars of his pen — I suspect they could become even better pals down the road.

[LoveChaCha]

most bunnies may not want to eat after surgery, which is normal, but sometimes feeding them veggies will help perk their appetite.

also, keep space limited.. don’t let them jump onto things.

boys to have it easy since neuters aren’t hard compared to spays.

their hormones will calm after a month no more bad/stinky potty habits after

[Patrick Murtha]

I will keep him confined to his pen for a couple of days after the surgery, yes.

Fortunately, his bathroom habits are already great. He is a very clean, fastidious bunny!

[RabbitPam]

I agree with Jersey, in that a bunny will noticeably calm down within a few months but it is largely due to their growing up, without any hormone surges to get them riled up anymore. He sounds delightful, and I expect the cat will be very pleased since he may be more willing to be friends without fighting.

[Elrohwen]

I wanted to throw out there that he may always be a high energy bunny – not all slow down that much after speutering (or aging). I have a 3.5 year old girl who is hyperactive and full of energy, so your boy may very well stay energetic.

I agree with the others that he may become more hyperactive and hormonal directly after the surgery, but it will settle down after a few weeks.

[Patrick Murtha]

 Thanks for the additional insights, everyone! I appreciate all the feedback. 

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