Is it necessary to neuter my rabbit?

[Vinyl Bunny]

My rabbit is so cuddly and sweet, but he is fourt months old and is not neutered! Will he become aggressive, because so far he hasn’t. Also, my parents said that we are not neutering him and if he becomes aggressive we will just put him in the pound or give him away. I know that he will probably get aggressive and I don’t want him to go away. Is there any facts to convince my parents, maybe? Also how much would it cost to neuter a male rabbit. He is very healthy and I wonder if he may die under the anesthetic. May you please help me out?

[Bam]

There is nothing that says that your rabbit will become aggressive. He may become aggressive, but it’s not a sure thing. The reason why we neuter male rabbits that have no bunny companions is mainly the inconvenience that is caused by sexual behaviors such as pee- and poop-marking, pee spraying (they can pee up walls several feet or spray pee on people they like), humping and incessant courting behavior. Not all males will show these behaviors if you have no other pets than this one rabbit. But many males certainly will and few people want to have a pet like that. If you can have him neutered at 5-6 months, these problems may never show up.

I’m sorry about your parents’ view on this. I suppose they think neutering is too much of an expense. If you say in what general area (no details, just state, big city or so) you live, maybe someone here knows about vets or shelters that offer budget neuterings. You could perhaps babysit or do chores and save up to help pay for the procedure? That could show your parents what a responsible person you are turning into and they may be more inclined to help.

It’s very rare nowadays that male bunnies die during neutering, it does happen but the risk is low if you find an experienced bunny vet.

[Tessie]

I agree with everything bam said.

I hope you can persuade your parents!

[Canada_bun]

I agree with everything bam said, too. My parents are very strict as well, and when I was younger I had a fish that I had to prove to them that I’m able to take care of the fish on my own and such. Doing chores and whatnot to help add to the expenses – or save up your allowances – will definitely help with convincing them, I think.

I and my fiance have a male un-neutered bunny too. Right now he’s around 1 year old and ready for a mate, demonstrated by

• spraying of urine to mark territories,
  
• humping my fluffy slippers
  
• (and attempts to hump my arms),

and I think for those unfamiliar with this behaviour, it may seem disconcerting and/or destructive. It’s just what they do when they’re of age and need a mate though, so please don’t be mad at him when it happens and keep your stuff out of his way (I’ve gotten my books, laptop etc. sprayed and it isn’t very fun ).

This is our first rabbit, but I think for males it’s not vital? Females runs the risk of reproductive cancer, I think, but males are alright aside from the sexual frustration and the above behaviours (please correct me if I’m wrong). It definitely does not earn a trip to the pound!

Best of luck in convincing your parents! 

[Bam]

CanadaBun, it’s true that male rabbits are not at a huge risk for diseases in the reproductive organs if you leave them intact. Females have a very high risk of uterine cancer.

I think there are other health benefits to neuter males though, because they are so highly sexually motivated that it’s very stressful for them not to be able to complete the behavior. It’s been shown that neutered males live longer.

[Canada_bun]

Bam – I’m really new here, is there a button for thumbs up? 

[Author]

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