Is it always recommended to have a rabbit neutered?

Question

I adopted a male rabbit a month ago and he's now 8 months old. He's lovely, very cute and gentle but also very jumpy and nervous. He had is myxo shot 2 weeks ago and his VHD yesterday. I intended to have him castrated as I've heard it can help make them calmer and cleaner, and that it's better for them. However, the vet yesterday told me that rabbits are happier with their testicles and that I should only neuter him if he's aggressive, humps a lot or sprays- Which he isn't/doesn't. Now I don't know! He wasn't handled at all by the people who had him last and although he doesn't spray, he's not as well toilet trained as I'd like him to be. He's very nervous and jumpy and doesn't like to be handled, sometimes getting out of his hutch for a cuddle and to check for fly strike is a struggle and I worry about hurting him when he struggles so much. Of course I always make sure his bottom is well supported. He has a crazy-huge sized hutch in my garden and eats plenty of grass and veggies and he loves playing with my cats and always has the run of the garden when I'm home. He fathered two litters before but I won't be breeding him at all. I'm just torn in two about whether or not to castrate him!

Answer 1

Not always. Neutering might not change any of the negative behaviors you're seeing, especially since your rabbit has already gone through puberty and been bred before. He may simply be set in his ways.

Neutering IS surgery, and there is always a risk, though with a standard neuter it's a minor risk. Ultimately the choice is yours, but it doesn't sound as though your vet is comfortable performing the operation. Should you choose to have it done I would consider finding another vet to do the surgery.  

Answer 2

If you have a good vet, yes. There are proven health benefits.

http://www.rabbit.org

Answer 3

i had that done to my male rabbit two years ago...

it calmed him down of his brother for a bit but now it makes no difference!

its a waste of money, hassle and time! ( in my opinion )

Answer 4

Being a rescuer myself i have seen unneutered male and female rabbits suffer from cancer.

Even though your vet thinks it is not necessary i would suggest that you go ahead and get your rabbit neutered. It will settle a feisty rabbits temperament and it will make training easier. you do get the odd rabbit that is a pain to train but the majority will learn. Unneutered rabbits do have a habit of marking their territory with poo and urine in different spots too, this will stop him doing this in time.

It will also stop him letting off the musky male odour which un neutered bucks release due to high levels of testosterone.

I also suggest you use a vet that is interested in rabbits and not cats and dogs as their opinions differ and their treatment and handling is more accurate than that of a vet who's interest lies in cats and dogs.

This advise also comes from personal experience.

Answer 5

it does not make your rabbit any calmer at all!

the rabbit is happier with his testicles

my male rabbit is jumpy and stuff but my vet said none of that would change if i got  him fixed

Answer 6

If you had testicles would you want them cut off?

Answer 7

The "happier with his testicles" is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! If anything, he'd be happier without them.

It will definitely help with toilet training, and it'll also help reduce the territorial instincts that make it hard to get him out of his hutch. Most rabbits never like to be picked up, but many will tolerate it for short periods of time as they get used to it...neutering won't make a difference there, though.

It's really not an invasive procedure. There's always a risk when an animal has surgery, but it's worth it for a generally happier life.

Go to an experienced rabbit vet, not the one you're seeing now!

Answer 8

my rabbit is not castrated and he is a docile as anything our vet did recomend that we had the op done but we didnt see the need as he only humps my stepdad lol and never sprayes  

Answer 9

You should definitely have it done. It makes them less aggressive, and less likely to hump or bite you. They get over being castrated after about ten days and my male rabbit who once wouldn't come near me at all began to l**k me and enjoyed cuddles after the castration. Its also fairly cheap- only about thirty pounds and most rabbits recover soon after the op. Its worth it.  

Answer 10

It actually prolongs the life of the rabbit to have it neutered, rabbits are prone to cancer and this would offer some protection for him  Mine was done he is fine  it also makes them very docile, mine loves nothing more to be picked up and cuddled  

Answer 11

Neutering a male rabbit doesn't have the same health benefits as spaying a female. I think if he's not spraying and humping everything then it best just to leave him. I have castrated males and they're not any better at litter training. As you know rabbits are at some risk of dying under the anaesthetic, so as castrating isn't necessary i wouldn't want to put mine under it.

My rabbits were castrated so that they could have female companions and we didn't want babies to rehome.

I also think you should be aware that the myxo jab isn't all that reliable. I have a friend who's rabbit still contracted it after being jabbed. The myxo jab is really only needed if you live in rural areas with a wild rabbit population. As my bunnies are in a secure garden far away from wild rabbits i've never felt the need to have them jabbed.

Answer 12

This may be a tough decision to make. If he isn't aggressive i would not get it done. Being nervous shouldn't be a big problem as you can calm him down with a few cuddles and treats. He seems to be in a very happy and loving environment which will help him settle down and get used to being handled more.  

Answer 13

Unlike females, males have no health benefits from getting neutered.

Neutering just helps with behavioral things.

I visited the vet yesterday (mine buck is only 2 months though) and she said that that if he starts getting a strong pee smell, peeing on you, or being aggressive you should neuter him.

If you're bunny isn't having any behavioural problems, then you don't have to.