Rabbits are social animals. They are accustomed to living in groups. Spaying and neutering allows rabbits to enjoy one another's company without adding to the number of rabbits that end up in shelters or suffering in the streets after being abandoned by irresponsible owners. Domestic rabbits depend upon human caretakers and do not know how to survive in the "wild" street, field or forest. Aside from the greater chance for companionship, there are several reasons for spaying and neutering your lagomorph friend.
Female rabbits have a high incidence of uterine cancer. The best way to prevent this cancer is with the ovariohysterectomy, also called spaying. Spaying also appears to drastically reduce the incidence of breast cancer and other female-related problems such as uterine pathology, uterine abscesses, pyometra, etc. Any pregnancy-related disease or disorder will be prevented as the rabbit will not become pregnant when these organs are removed.Unspayed female rabbits may experience extreme mood swings as their body moves through a pseudo "heat" cycle. A rabbit does not experience a true estrous (heat) cycle; rather, she ovulates 9-13 hours after mating. She is receptive most of the time unless she conceives or experiences a false pregnancy. A female rabbit may be withdrawn or very aggressive during pregnancy (false or not) and friendly at other times. She may become unpredictable. Spaying can reduce the chance of these mood swings occurring.
Unneutered male rabbits have a tendency to express sexual excitement by spraying. Some assertive female rabbits may also spray to "impress" potential mates. Rabbits often lose good house-training habits when their hormones rise. When an unsterilized rabbit is exposed to other rabbits or other stimulating circumstances, he may have difficulty remembering to use the litter box.
Other courting behaviors, often misunderstood and unwanted by humans, can be diminished when a rabbit is spayed or neutered. For example, when rabbits court, they often run circles around each other. This can be frustrating to a human "love object" trying to cross a room. Courting rabbits may growl, nip, lunge, bite or scratch. This behavior is related to the rabbit instinct to live in a hierarchy and compete for potential mates. Some unneutered males become very aggressive as they compete for attention and their spot on the "social ladder." In addition, both male and aggressive female rabbits may try to mount objects, people and other animals.
The primary solution to these courtship-related nuisance behaviors is to spay or neuter. With an experienced rabbit veterinarian, this operation can be quick and painless, with the rabbit returning home just hours after the surgery and recovering within a few days. Some rabbits return to their regular routine within 24 hours.
It is important to recognize that sterilization is not an overnight cure for nuisance behaviors. Although the organs have been removed, habits are not always easily broken. It may take two months or more before your neutered male stops spraying, mounting and chasing every female rabbit in sight. However, in the long run (as your rabbit can live 8-12 years) neutering will be considered a great benefit.
One way to help your rabbit reduce nuisance behaviors is to redirect the behavior. Give your rabbit acceptable options. For example, you may give a towel to a rabbit who circles around your feet. Dangle the towel in front of your rabbit to entice him or her to circle the towel. Leave the towel draped over a chair or other object so your rabbit can court the towel when you are not available to play.
In the same way, you can substitute an appropriate object or toy for your rabbit to mount.
If your rabbit is giving you "love nips," be sure to let him or her know that it hurts (even if it doesn't hurt very much). A high- pitched "EEK" will often get the message across. Again, redirect the behavior toward appropriate chew toys. Remember to respect your rabbit's feelings. Perhaps your rabbit is biting because of a desire to be left alone at that time. Sometimes a nip means "get out of my way," not "I'm courting you."
If you are having problems understanding your rabbit's behavior, it could be a result of surging hormones. Get your rabbit spayed or neutered and contact Susan Hearst, 485-9552, if you have more questions.