Desexing your pet rabbit has numerous benefits for both males and females. It can help reduce problem behaviours, make bonding with new rabbits easier, prevent unwanted pregnancies, and lower the risk of serious health issues such as reproductive cancers.
Rabbit Terminology
- Female rabbit: Doe
- Male rabbit: Buck
- Baby rabbits: Kits or kittens
Desexing a female rabbit is called spaying, which involves removing the ovaries and uterus. Desexing a male rabbit is called castration, which removes both testicles. Desexing may also be referred to as neutering or sterilisation, while non-desexed rabbits are described as entire.
Why Desex Your Rabbit?
Behavioural Benefits
- Urine spraying: This is normal territorial behaviour, most common in entire bucks but sometimes seen in does. Desexing can reduce spraying and help with litter box training.
- Hormonal behaviours in does: Entire does may show aggression, nest-building, or pull fur from their dewlap. These behaviours can take time to stop after spaying, especially if done after six months of age. Some behaviours may still appear if the doe is around entire males.
- Hormonal behaviours in bucks: Entire males may show mounting or aggression during maturation. Castration can reduce these behaviours by lowering testosterone levels.
Assisting Bonding
Rabbits are social animals, so having a companion is important. Desexing is essential when introducing rabbits of opposite sexes to prevent unwanted litters. It can also reduce fighting, spraying, and other hormone-driven behaviours in same-sex or opposite-sex pairings. Even single rabbits benefit from desexing, especially if they have outdoor access, as it prevents accidental breeding with wild rabbits.
Health Benefits
- Uterine cancer: Over 80% of entire Doe’s over three years of age develop this often fatal disease. Early spaying (16–20 weeks) can prevent it.
- Pyometra: This painful uterine infection is preventable by early spaying.
- Testicular and prostate cancer in bucks: Castration eliminates these risks.
Preventing Unwanted Pregnancies
Rabbits can reach sexual maturity as early as four months, can have up to 12 litters per year, and each litter averages 5–8 kits. Desexing your rabbit prevents unwanted pregnancies and reduces stress and health risks associated with frequent breeding.
When Should I Desex My Rabbit?
- Female rabbits: 5–6 months old
- Male rabbits: 4–5 months old
Planning is important. Rabbits should ideally be desexed several weeks before introducing them to a new companion. Males remain fertile for about four weeks post-surgery, so avoid pairing them with entire females during this time.
At Elgar Road Veterinary Clinic, we recommend contacting us as soon as you acquire your rabbit to discuss the best timing for desexing and to confirm your rabbit’s age for a safe, effective procedure. Our team can guide you through the process and recovery to ensure a happy, healthy rabbit.
