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Rabbit Neutering: What It Is & Why It Matters

Why neutering (castration and spaying) matters for pet rabbits — the health and behaviour benefits, when to do it, what the procedure involves, and how to care for your rabbit after surgery.

· rabbits, neutering, castration, spaying, rabbit health

If you keep rabbits as pets, neutering is one of the most important things you can do for their long-term health and happiness. It prevents unwanted pregnancies, lowers the risk of serious illness and makes rabbits calmer, more sociable companions. Here is what neutering involves, when to do it, and how to care for your rabbit before and after the operation.

What is rabbit neutering?

Neutering is the removal of the reproductive organs, and it applies to both sexes. The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) explains that neutering a male rabbit is called castration and involves removing the testicles. Neutering a female rabbit is called spaying and involves removing the ovaries and the womb. PDSA recommends having all pet rabbits neutered to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to avoid health problems such as ovarian and testicular cancer.

Why neuter your rabbit?

Health. Neutering decreases or, in some cases, eliminates the risk of certain cancers — including uterine cancer in females and testicular cancer in males. These are real, potentially life-shortening diseases, and prevention is far kinder than treatment.

Behaviour. Neutered rabbits tend to be more sociable and are much less likely to fight with other rabbits. They are also less likely to show aggression towards people, and are less likely to spray urine to mark their territory. The RSPCA notes that neutering reduces the likelihood of fighting in both sexes.

Pregnancy prevention. The most obvious risk of leaving a rabbit unneutered is pregnancy. Rabbits can become pregnant at around three months old, even if the parents are related. The RSPCA points out that in a single year, two rabbits could become 82.

When should rabbits be neutered?

According to PDSA:

  • Male rabbits can be castrated from around ten weeks of age.
  • Female rabbits can be spayed from around five months of age. Giant breeds take longer to mature, so for them this may be as late as eight months.

Because rabbits can get pregnant at around three months old, males and females must be kept separate from that age (ideally a little before) until after they have been neutered. One thing to be aware of: male rabbits can remain fertile for up to six weeks after castration, while females are sterile immediately.

Pairing advice: opposite-sex pairs

Rabbits are sociable animals and should always be kept in pairs or groups, but neutering makes this much easier. The ideal pairing is a neutered male with a neutered female — a combination supported by both PDSA and the RSPCA, since neutering reduces fighting between the pair.

What the procedure involves

Unlike cats and dogs, rabbits do not need to be starved before surgery, so there is no need to withhold food or water. PDSA recommends taking some of your rabbit’s own food, hay and fresh greens to the vets with them. If possible, take them along with a rabbit they are bonded with, and let your vet know.

At the clinic, the vet will check your rabbit, give a light sedative and some pain relief, and settle them in a warm bed before a general anaesthetic. For a female, a small incision is made along the middle of her abdomen so the ovaries and womb can be removed. For a male, a small incision is made over each testicle so they can be removed.

Aftercare and recovery

Most rabbits can go home a few hours after their operation. At home they may be sleepy for a while, but should feel much more normal within 24–48 hours as the anaesthetic wears off. PDSA gives these key recovery points:

  • Keep your rabbit with its bonded partner in a quiet, calm place.
  • Make sure they start eating again quickly after waking, to prevent gut stasis (when the guts stop working properly). If they won’t eat, contact your vet.
  • Check the wound at least twice a day to make sure it’s clean and no stitches have come loose or been nibbled. Keep their living space clean, away from dusty bedding, mud or anything that could cause a wound infection.
  • A follow-up check-up at the vets a few days after the operation is likely. Non-dissolvable stitches usually need to be removed 7–14 days afterwards.

Watch for signs of a wound infection — redness, heat, discharge, swelling or pain — and contact your vet straight away if you notice any, or if your rabbit seems quiet or isn’t eating.

Are there risks?

Neutering is generally a safe, routine procedure performed by vets every day. However, as with any operation, there are always some risks and the potential for complications. Gut stasis is one of the main risks and is most likely to develop if a rabbit becomes stressed and stops eating. Your vet will discuss the risks with you beforehand, so don’t hesitate to ask questions. The cost of neutering depends on your rabbit’s sex and your individual vet practice, so it is worth calling around for prices.

Sources

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, contact your vet.

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