Neutering?

[arendelleprincess]

        Hello! I have been taking care of a lovely holland lop from a friend who could no longer keep him. He was from a pet store and I believe he is not neutered. He is apparently around a year old, and was purchased by my friend when he was around six months. The pet store he came from kept him in a space with other bunnies, so I was surprised to hear that the bunnies they keep there are not neutered or spayed! (I know this is probably common of pet stores but still!!!)  He seemed to enjoy being with the other bunnies from what I have been told. He is very sweet and never shows any of the typical signs of an unfixed male from what I have read. He has never mounted anything, is wonderful with his litter box and does not spray or circle. I don’t necessarily see the need to neuter him, and it would be a bit of an undertaking with taking him to the vet and cost etc. However, if I did not not have him neutered, I know he would most likely have to be an only bunny. I do try to pay as much attention to him as possible, and he does not necessarily show any signs of being lonely that I can see, but since he is usually alone when I am at school/work/sleeping, I really was considering getting him a friend. I would be adopting a bunny, not purchasing one of course. So, basically I was wondering if anyone had anything to add or advice? I know that the general consensus is that neutering is always better, so would the better choice for him be neutering and then bonding with a spayed female? Or because he doesn’t seem to be much bothered, would the neutering not be worth the cost, risk or discomfort? Anyone? 

[Rookie]

Rookie is an only bunny. He is alone when I work and sleep. He is a happy bunny. I don’t see any signs of depression for him from being an only child. But of course as an only child he gets all my attention.
Rookie is neutered because he was spraying so with the negatives of not being neutered and the positives of a neuter I chose to get him neutered.
I think in the end it’s up to you. If your bunny gets attention they will stay happy. As for a neuter….in the end it’s your call. Since he is a young rabbit, and doesn’t have any of the negative behaviors…I don’t see why you couldn’t wait a few months to see how he adjusts to being an only bunny. He was an only bunny for about 6 months now right?

[tobyluv]

You would definitely have to have him neutered before you attempted bonding. That is always the first step to bonding – that both rabbits have to be spayed or neutered. If he is a year old and not neutered, you should be able to see his testicles. They look somewhat like pink lima beans. He is well past the age where they would have shown up. Rabbits can sometimes suck them up if they are frightened or nervous, but that usually happens at a vet’s office or some place that would cause nervousness, not normally in your home. If you do not see testicles, than he is either neutered or he may be a female. I see that your friend got him from a pet shop, so if she never had him neutered then he almost certainly isn’t. That’s not something that pet stores do. Although, pet stores sometimes have rabbits from rescues that are up for adoption, and those would probably be spayed or neutered. Pet store workers know very little about rabbits and frequently tell people the wrong gender. That is why people who get two rabbits that they thought were the same sex, often end up with unexpected litters.

If you are at all contemplating getting a companion for the bunny, even if it’s some time in the future, it might be good to go ahead and have him neutered now. You may want to make sure of the gender first.

[Author]

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