Like with all procedures, neutering rabbits comes with its risks, and these should be discussed with your small pet-savvy vet.
If you love rabbits, remember it’s best they live as a pair to keep them happy and healthy. The best mix is a male and female, but make sure they’re neutered or you’ll most likely end up with more than you expected! Male rabbits can be neutered from 3-4 months of age or as soon as their testicles have appeared. Females can be neutered from 4-6 months, depending on their size. As with all procedures, neutering has risks, which you should discuss with your small pet-savvy vet.
There are many benefits to neutering your pet rabbits. These include:
Neutering your rabbit has important health, behavioural and welfare benefits. It can also help avoid unwanted litters and make bonding with other rabbits much easier.
Going into a vet practice can be very stressful for pet rabbits. To help reduce this, you can take some of their bedding with them that has their scent, which can then be placed in the hospital cage.
Rabbits must have plenty of hay and fresh food available pre and post op. Some small species need to be starved for a certain amount of time, whereas rabbits must continue to eat to maintain their gut movement.
Once your rabbits return to their enclosure, it can be a good idea to offer a soft, warm area for them to rest. Using some towels and even a snuggle-safe heat pad placed within their enclosure can be ideal.
For the next 48 hours it is very important to monitor their toileting output and food intake, and you should also monitor their neuter site for any signs of infection, etc.
Neutering is a routine surgical procedure performed under general anaesthetic by a vet:
Males (castration): the testicles are removed. This is usually done with a separate wound on each side of the scrotum which may be closed with dissolvable stitches or with tissue glue.
Females (spaying): the uterus and ovaries are removed. This is done through a single incision into the middle of the abdomen (the belly). Most practices apply dissolvable stitches that are buried under the surface and do not need to be removed.
Rabbits are usually admitted and discharged the same day, provided they recover well. However, any anaesthetic and period of not eating, can affect a rabbit’s digestion so if rabbits are not keen to eat straight away after a general anaesthetic, they may need to stay in overnight for medication to help with gut motility.
Both males and females will need a few days of pain relief after their operation to make sure that they feel comfortable during that early recovery period. Gut stasis can be seen after an anaesthetic, so you will need to carefully monitor appetite and check that they are passing faeces normally in the days following the surgery.
Note: Male rabbits can remain fertile for up to 6 weeks after surgery, so they should be kept separate from unspayed females during this time.
Modern anaesthesia and skilled vets make neutering safe and routine. Although rabbit anaesthetics are higher risk than humans, cats and dogs, this risk is still very low and modern protocols are much safer than they used to be. The health and behavioural benefits usually far outweigh the risks.
Not necessarily. They may be more sedentary after neutering and with age, but maintaining a healthy diet and encouraging regular exercise to keep your rabbit fit, will help them to maintain a healthy weight.
Bonding is much easier and more successful when both rabbits are neutered as hormones can otherwise cause aggression or mating behaviours. It is best to consider neutering both rabbits at the same time.
If you are concerned about your rabbits’ health, or have any other questions about your pet, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Woodgreen Pets Charity is behind the latest campaign from the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF), calling for a temporary pause on the sale of baby rabbits by breeders, retailers and classified websites.
Read more about 'Woodgreen supports RWAF Rabbit Breeding Amnesty'
This owner took home a pair of rabbits and within seven months she had a group of 16! Our Community Outreach team stepped in to help support with neutering, accommodation and rehoming.
Read more about 'When two become 16'