Does spaying help training older rabbits?

[thepoppyflower]

Hi All,

 I have a three year old unspayed Netherland Dwarf doe who is booked in with the vet to be spayed next week. 

 At the moment, she is going to the toilet EVERYWHERE. She poops and pees all over her cage and this has been a problem for a few months. I’ve been having to fully clean her cage multiple times a day. She’s been confined to a section of the room when she comes out and needs constant supervision or she will urinate on the carpet; she also poops with every step when she’s out of her cage. There doesn’t seem to be a corner or spot which she favours using in her cage either – it just seems like a case of anything goes!

 My ongoing attempt at litter training seems unsuccessful. I’m hoping spaying will help but, as I’ve had her for a few months, I’m a bit worried this behaviour may have become a habit and be difficult to break? Should spaying help with litter training even in a slightly older rabbit? Does anyone have any similar experiences/advice?

 

[Cottontail]

Our Duncan was neutered after 3 years old. His litter box habits are very good now. There’s no more spraying (which he did when we first got him) and he gets most of his poops in the litter box. He still drops excited poops here and there, but I would say it’s greatly improved since his procedure. Also, considering that buns can live 10-15 years depending on genetics and lifestyle, I would say that 3 years is still a relatively young bun.

[Author]

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