neutering a bunny

[Gandalf]

Hi,

I have a nice little bunny, he is way under 3 lbs and almost 1 year old. He became litter train in ~2 hours and he is getting a bit more affectionate.

I spent most of the last 6 months at home writing my Thesis and he became very attached to me. He follows me everywhere and run between my legs all the time. He doesn't like it when I hold him... and likes to bite on my clothes (I don't have one t-shirt without hole) He still chew on the walls or on my bed sheets... I've tried saying a lound "no" when he does it and locking him in is cage. He knows he is not allowed to do that... he understand the "No" very well... Sometime he doesn't listen so I use my water gun... When he hear the sound of the water in it he runs into his cage. Now when he wants to get out of the cage he throw litter all over and bite the plastic litter... Obviously I don't let him out or he would do it all the time... I really like his personality, he like to run a lot and jump on the chairs and the bed (and around me) but I would like to find a way to stop him form chewing... it seems impossible... I got him many things to chew on... he does chew on them... but he still chew on the wall, my clothes and the bed once or twice a day...

I thought it would be necessary to have him neutered... but I'm worried he wont be active anymore... and that maybe that wont stop him from chewing... One other weird thing he does is that when he get very excited (usually when he runs and make "8" around my legs) he drop a few "chocolate balls" it seems to be only when he get very excited... when he is aware of it, he will usually stop and eat them... of if he finds one later during that day he will eat it too... unfortunately, he often forget a few of them... never more than one or two... I am wondering if most bunny do that and if there is a good way of stoping that behavior...

So my question is: Will neutering him stop these behavior??

there is a picture of him there http://www.pbase.com/image/2966758

[Daisylover]

Your bunny is exhibiting classic signs for being sexually mature and neutering would stop a lot of this behavior. There are additional benefits to neutering besides calming him down. Buns are prone to reproductive cancers and it will also make his urine less odorous. Males also spray and leave poops to mark their territory (especially by doorways) so you want to stop this potential behavior before he starts it. However be advised you need a rabbit specialist vet to do the neutering. Buns are fragile when it comes to anesthetic and many vets do not go on to take the advanced training that exotic animals require (Yes, a rabbit is considered to be an exotic animal). www.rabbit.org has wonderful information about all kinds of bunny matters, everything from health to nutrition, toys, bonding, litter training, etc.

By neutering him he will calm down and will be much more pleasant to live with. THe other thing I might add is that baby bunnies are full of energy and curiousity and, to my mind, hyper. With age they calm down some, but not as much as if the are neutered. So I'm guessing you've got 2 things going on w/him...his age and his hormones.

Chewing......bunnies teeth grow constantly, never stopping. They chew to keep their teeth trimmed. You might give him an unpainted, untreated piece of pine wood...better yet branches from ORGANIC apple trees, which are sold my many pet product companies online (bunnyluv, bunnybytes...go to Links in www.rabbit.org). Bunnies usually like toys but they get bored very easily and you need to rotate his toys frequently. An empty roll of toilet paper is fun...you can stuff some timmy hay in it too, a small plastic margarine tub or lid can be a blast as bunnies LOVE a good size empty cardboard box turned upside down so it turns into a cave....be sure to put in two exits in case the box gets pushed against the wall and one exit becomes sealed off.

If he's really bad about the chewing you might consider buying a puppy pen sold in most pet stores. They are 8 sides stand alone fencing which give the bunny about 5-6 sq ft of room and are usually less expensive than cages sold in pet stores. In fact the House Rabbit Society now recommends these for housing instead of a cage.

Good luck with your bunny. It sounds like he has a wonderful home. I think you just need to make a few adjustments to keep both of you happy and on speaking terms.

[Gandalf]

Thanks, I'll look into that... he did try to mark his territory (my bed corners) a few months ago but he only did it twice and stop. But well... it is probably not worth taking a chance... I don't want that little Bunny to live in a cage, no animals should be in a cage anyway. I don't think neutering an animal is fair too... I don't think people should get animals if it is to change them to fit there needs.

Obiviously I'm not going to stop people from getting dog, cat, rabbit... but I don't think they really understand what they are doing. I love animals, but I want them free... Now I have this little bunny and I'm going to have him neutered and take care of him. A lot of irresponsable people get animals and they treat them as toy. I got this bunny because my ex-grilfriend wanted it... she totally failed taking care of him. She always want new animals (mostly dogs...) but somebody else always end-up taking care of it. I could ask her to keep Gandafl... but I'm scared he would just be lock in a cage for the rest of his life... So... I'll take care of Gandalf (I always did) and hopefully will take care of him for many years to come. I really like him and he became my best friend... He is going to be the happiest bunny on earth (he is already!!) still bunny are not the best house pet to have and neutering him seems to be a very cruel thing to do. Everybody does it to dogs and think it is a good thing to do... well they should think again. I don't think they should get dogs in the first place...

Thanks for all the info,

Jack and Gandalf

[zippy-kat]

Originally posted by Gandalf
I don't think neutering an animal is fair too... I don't think people should get animals if it is to change them to fit there needs.

I don't believe you are changing the animal to fit "your" needs, at all. Sorry to be blunt but what need do you have of his testicles? Unless, you plan on breeding him (and finding good homes for the offspring) the bunny won't need 'em either! And I bet --after the soreness goes away-- he won't miss 'em at all! (Side note: The Las Cruces, NM Humane Society use to have bumper stickers, "They don't need balls to play! Neuter your pet." Blunt! but they have a point! )

Personally, I see neutering/spaying as a way of increasing the longivity on an animal. You're not only lowering the risk of reproductive cancers but also lowering his urge to chew, mark territory, etc.

Good luck! So happy the bunny has a good home with you!!

[Daisylover]

Jack,

I am pleased you are willing to have your bunny neutered. He will be much calmer but still very active and he should stop the marking and aggressive behavior. Remember thought you need a rabbit specialist vet. Too, it will still take 3-4 weeks after the operation for all of the hormones to leave the bunnies system so you may not see much of an improvement right away.

While I appreciate your concern about the animals I think you are doing them a big injustice by NOT having them neutered if you have no intention of breeding and showing them. There are thousands of homeless pets of all species which do not have a loving home, a warm place to sleep and enough to eat. They end up being hit by cars/trucks, eaten by other animals, sometimes tormented and/or tortured or killed by people who think stray animals are fair game for abuse. Then there are the factory farms and puppy mills where animals have no space to move around, their living area is never cleaned so they stand in their own feces, they don't get adequate food, water or heat in winter, or cool air in the heat of summer. Many puppy and cat mills are only interested in earning a dollar and not the welfare of the animals. The moms and babies get little or no veterinary care and the moms are constantly kept pregnant. The inbreeding at these places causes hyperactivity and unmanageability...many of those animals never adapt to living with humans. They get and give diseases to each other and in the case of a neglectful owner die a horrible death.

Then there are the health concerns, such as reproductive cancers, hyperactivity, and spraying urine to mark territories. Many homeowners will not put up with such activity in their homes.

By not neutering our pets we just add to the overpopulation of animals who have no one to care for them. I suggest you do some reading on pet overpopulation and the abused, abandoned and neglected animals and then see if you still feel that neutering is not good idea.

[wolf_Q]

Originally posted by Gandalf
He is going to be the happiest bunny on earth (he is already!!) still bunny are not the best house pet to have and neutering him seems to be a very cruel thing to do. Everybody does it to dogs and think it is a good thing to do... well they should think again. I don't think they should get dogs in the first place...

WAIT a minute here........so first we are not supposed to get dogs as pets, and then if we do have dogs as pets, we are MEAN if we neuter them? I think you really need to do some research. The discomfort caused by spay/neuter, is completely out-weighed by the benefits for the individual animal (health, behavior) and the population of pets in general.

[shais_mom]

Unaltered males have INCREASED chances of testicular cancer and unaltered females have a HIGHER chance of breast/uterine/cervical cancers even if they only go thru one heat cycle.
Spaying and neutering your pet is the RESPONSIBLE thing to do UNLESS you are a licensed
breeder. If you think that those of us who spay or neuter our dogs "outta think again" I suggest you LOOK IN THE MIRROR. I have a feeling that your reservations about neutering your MALE bunny is b/c you feel YOUR manhood is threatened.
WHY SPAY?? Dog Fancy Magazine February 2000
AN UNSPAYED FEMALE DOG, HER MATE AND ALL OF THEIR PUPPIES, IF NON ARE NEVER NEUTERED OR SPAYED, ADD UP TO:
1 YEAR = 16
2 YEARS = 128
3 YEARS = 512
4 YEARS = 2,048
5 YEARS = 12,288
6 YEARS = 67,000

and
Bunnies and cats go into heat more often than dogs and can have larger litters.
I never thought much about neutering/spaying animals until I realized how many pets are put to sleep every day b/c of people that can't be bothered to get their pet fixed, or that it is unnatural to alter them. And Bunnies are the 3rd most likely animal to be found in shelters right after dogs and cats. Of course unless you get another bunny you don't have to worry about HIM reproducing, but for you sanity, it sounds like it would be a good idea.

[Aspen and Misty]

Originally posted by wolf_Q


WAIT a minute here........so first we are not supposed to get dogs as pets, and then if we do have dogs as pets, we are MEAN if we neuter them? I think you really need to do some research. The discomfort caused by spay/neuter, is completely out-weighed by the benefits for the individual animal (health, behavior) and the population of pets in general.

I think he ment that dogs are wild animals so we should allow them to be free. But DOGS are NOT wild animals. WOLVES are wild animals but DOGS are not. They are decednints of the wolves and have been tamed for many years to be great in teh house and ot work with men. Most dogs are NOT able to survive without people. We fix our pets so that there are not thousands and thousanda of unwanted animals. We fix because we ARE responisble and LOVEING pet owners.

Also, bunnies make GREAT house pets. Think about it they don't have to worry about getting eaten, or getting enough food. They get to lounge around on a big old couch all day knowing, when they get Hungry there will be food in there cage.

Ash

[tikeyas_mom]

If you do get him neuterd he wont feel as big of a need to sprey. he will smell better AND hell be more gental and dosile.. Deutering a rabbit is very simple and it heals very fast. Yet spaying females is a bigger and more risky prosess. I wouldent spay my bunny because I rather her me with me then dead..

[Daisylover]

Tikyes_mom,
You couldn't be more wrong about NOT spaying or neutering a bunny. Females are especially prone to mammamary and reproductive cancers. Cancer will certainly end her life a lot earlier than not and it is a horrible, painful way to die. You will be playing roulette with your bunnies health!!!

Also her urine will have a stronger smell because she'll be trying to attract a mate. As they get older, many unaltered bunnies, both male and female, will get very aggressive with their owner when they do not get that mate...they may bite you or spray you with urine to mark you as "theirs" They will pee on things you leave on the floor. They will hump your shoes and you. And in the meantime they will be miserable because they don't have a mate and are not doing what comes naturally! You are doing your rabbit a huge disservice to let her suffer through that.

Spaying a female is a tricky operation but IF you have a rabbit specialist vet, that person wil be experienced with administering anesthesia and your bunny should be fine. Not all vets get the extra training required to treat rabbits, so even if you didn't have her spayed, you still need a rabbit-specialist vet to treat illnesses that invariably happen.

[tikeyas_mom]

well, I dont even know for sure if she is altered or not. The S.P.C.A didnt tell me . I dont have a rabbit specalist around here. I am going to ask the vet today about spaying and if it is safe and something that I would wanna risk! I dont want to pay like 180$ for her to die on the operation table.

[Brie]

Originally posted by tikeyas_mom
well, I dont even know for sure if she is altered or not. The S.P.C.A didnt tell me . I dont have a rabbit specalist around here. I am going to ask the vet today about spaying and if it is safe and something that I would wanna risk! I dont want to pay like 180$ for her to die on the operation table.

If you don't know, go back to the SPCA and ASK All veterinary offices keep records of any spay and neuters performed, they will have documentation of any procedure performed.

I have an 8 year old spayed female bunny And she had no complications with surgery.

From www.rabbit.org

Spaying and neutering for rabbits has become a safe procedure when performed by experienced rabbit veterinarians. The House Rabbit Society has had over 1000 rabbits spayed or neutered with approximately .1% mortality due to anesthesia. A knowledgeable rabbit veterinarian can spay or neuter your rabbit with very little risk to a healthy rabbit. Don't allow a veterinarian with little or no experience with rabbits to spay or neuter your rabbit.

PLEASE READ THIS LINK:
http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/vet.html

This link talks about HOW to find a good vet for your bunny. They don't have to be a rabbit "specialist" they SHOULD be experienced and knowledged in rabbit care and surgical procedures.

[jigsawyouth]

Thanks, I'll look into that... he did try to mark his territory (my bed corners) a few months ago but he only did it twice and stop. But well... it is probably not worth taking a chance... I don't want that little Bunny to live in a cage, no animals should be in a cage anyway. I don't think neutering an animal is fair too... I don't think people should get animals if it is to change them to fit there needs.
Obiviously I'm not going to stop people from getting dog, cat, rabbit... but I don't think they really understand what they are doing. I love animals, but I want them free... Now I have this little bunny and I'm going to have him neutered and take care of him. A lot of irresponsable people get animals and they treat them as toy. I got this bunny because my ex-grilfriend wanted it... she totally failed taking care of him. She always want new animals (mostly dogs...) but somebody else always end-up taking care of it. I could ask her to keep Gandafl... but I'm scared he would just be lock in a cage for the rest of his life... So... I'll take care of Gandalf (I always did) and hopefully will take care of him for many years to come. I really like him and he became my best friend... He is going to be the happiest bunny on earth (he is already!!) still bunny are not the best house pet to have and neutering him seems to be a very cruel thing to do. Everybody does it to dogs and think it is a good thing to do... well they should think again. I don't think they should get dogs in the first place...

Neutering a Bunny is cruel? Excuse me, but you are either extremely ignorant or extremely uneducated when it comes to rabbits (and all other domesticated animals, at that). Do you know how many 'accidental' pregnancies in rabbits happen per year? Too many to count. Do you know how many rabbits either die young from maltreatment or die in an animal shelter due to ignorant people like you? Millions have died, Jack. All that you said right their was unbelievably.. stupid. I'm 17 years old, probably younger than you, and I know VERY WELL by first hand experience that neutering or spaying a dog, especially, is what a responsible owner does! Are you telling me that those who do not want to aid the overpopulation in animals by altering their pets 'shouldn't get animals in the first place'? I guess a lot of guys are like this, they think animals wont have a life if they cant breed. And you are so ridiculously wrong. There is nothing cruel about surgically and painfully altering your animal (my Archie does not even know hes neutered - he REALLY doesnt) in order to prevent your pet from procreating. I did many hours of communtity service, when I was a little rebel kid, at the local animal shelter.. and do you know how many beautiful, wonderful dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, AND rabbits died there because theyre owners did not fix the parents? Hundreds. I had to watch literally HUNDREDS of dogs disapear from their kennels, only to watch hundreds more fill up those empty spaces those beautiful, unfortunate animals left behind. And all because of ignorant people like you, those animals died. It makes me sick, honestly.

Now, another reason you DEFINATELY should neuter your bunny, or give him to a nicer, more intellegent person that will give him the proper care and neuter him is because he is unhappy and anxious as an unaltered male rabbit will be. That is probably the reason youre seeing this strange behavior. He is unhappy because his body and his hormones are telling him to breed and there are no females there to breed with. Now, I'm not telling you to get a female rabbit and breed them and make a few hundred babies. I'm telling you that you should get your rabbit neutered, for his sake. All in all, most animals live longer, more content lives when they are altered.

[Karen]

jigsawyouth, unfortunately, Tikeyasmom's bunny has died, so there's no point in scolding her any more. It was a sad accident, and she won't be getting another bunny any time soon, so don't worry, okay?

[jigsawyouth]

No, no Karen. I wasn't scolding Tikeyas_Mom at all. In fact, I agree with what she said earlier about the bunnies being more gentle and docile when neutered. And I don't really mind her not spaying the bun (although, being that she came from the SPCA, she was probably spayed), as long as she doesnt carelessly breed her. I'm ok with that. I was actually pretty angry at that boy, Gandalf. I cannot believe he said, quote "Everybody does it (altering) to dogs and think it is a good thing to do... well they should think again. I don't think they should get dogs in the first place..." Sorry. Those kind of people just piss me off! lol. He needs to be taught something about responsible pet ownership.