Question about Spaying and Litterbox Training

[Deleted User]

My 4 month old mini Rex (Cassandra Bella aka Cassy) came home from the pet store (She was so cramped up and miserable looking that I felt it was a rescue to save her from the pet store!) knowing nothing about litter training.  I put a litter box with hay in the corner of her cage and expected to have mess everywhere for a while before I had trained her.  But magically, she has been using it consistently since the second day I have had her (Now about a week.)

I was wondering if she will stop being as good when I get her spay in 2 months.  I am sort of worried that spaying will change my bunny into a completely different one.  I really love her the way she is!

[osprey]

If anything, the spay should make her litter box habits better.  The breeding hormones in female rabbits can cause destructive behavior, marking by peeing and territorial behavior like lunging and biting.  Female rabbits are also at high risk for developing cancers of the reproductive system, so spaying is a good idea to prolong her life.

It is really good that as a bunny owner you are considering getting your girl spayed.  Not only will you be sure that no accidental litters will be produced, you’ll also be helping your bunny live a better and longer life with you.

Since you are in the East Bay, you are fortunate to be near one of the best bunny doctors in the Bay Area, Dr. Carolyn Harvey at the VCA Bay Area Pet Hospital in Oakland.  Our rescue uses her for many different problems with our buns.  If you do not have a vet yet, she is a good one to consider.  Good Luck with Cassy!

[Deleted User]

Thank You!  You are the second person to recommend Dr. Harvey.  I will take her there for sure!  Maybe sooner than expected because she’s been sneezing a lot.  Though there is no visible discharge…

[dmh426]

SERIOUSLY. Look at my bunny Sophie and your bunny Cassy. Could be sisters. Soph is mini rex/rex too. Spaying or neutering is the best thing that you can do for your bunny. It ensures good health and that she will be happy and healthy for years to come. Bunnies are very clean naturally. Normally, they’ll pick a corner of the cage/condo to make their bathroom and you can slip a litterbox right in there and they’ll never notice. You also did wonderfully by putting hay in there since bunnies like to just hang out in their litterbox for fun.

Very improtant question- what kind of litter are you using? I highly recommend Yesterday’s News snice its the only litter I have ever used.

Also, I always like to pass on this tip to new bunny parents that I discovered for myself. RABBITS FOR DUMMIES. It’s my bible when it comes to everything bunny.

[Gravehearted]

I’m so glad that you’re taking the time to learn about bunny care since you recently brought Cassy home!

I’ll echo what osprey said that Cassey likely to be happier and healthier once spayed. Post spay her personality shouldn’t change much – but likely be a bit more mellow and perhaps a bit less destructive. It’s great that her litter habits are so good – many bunnies have terrible trouble using the litterbox pre-spay.

I would second the recommendation of Dr. Harvey, you are fortunate to have a really top notch bunny vet so close. People travel from all over to see her.

[Author]

Messages