Guest Article Written by Safe Haven Rabbit Rescue, Inc., in Clinton, New Jersey
In rescues, we hear it all the time… “the pet store said they were the same sex,” “I had a rabbit and thought he was lonely,” “my boyfriend got me a bunny; and he was so cute, I had to get another”……..and THEN – “Help!! My bunny had 9 babies!” “The boy got out for just a minute or two and now I have 12,” “The first litter is now having babies AGAIN”.
The simple solution?
SPAY and NEUTER all your rabbits!
It is not easy to determine the gender of young rabbits. Even some veterinarians may fail to identify correctly, and males are mistakenly considered females.
Gestation in rabbits lasts an average of 30 days. After giving birth, the doe can be impregnated within the next 24 hours. So, sometimes even before the first litter is discovered by the family; Mom is already pregnant again! Does can give birth to a litter anywhere from 1 to 10-12 newborns in size every 30 to 32 days.
Besides the obvious reason of unwanted litters and the difficulty of finding homes for all the offspring, there are also behavioral and, most importantly, health concerns for unspayed females.
Upon reaching sexual maturity, rabbits often display such undesirable behaviors as spraying, chewing, digging and fighting with other rabbits, as well as becoming aggressive towards people. Spaying or neutering at the proper age greatly reduces and, in many cases, eliminates these behaviors. These behaviors are the most common reason rabbits are surrendered to shelters or rescues in numbers that are impossible to accommodate.
In the past, rabbits gained a reputation for being difficult to anesthetize, but the risks of rabbit anesthesia have fallen significantly. The key is to be sure to use a very experienced, rabbit savvy exotic veterinarian. Surgery on any animal can have unexpected complications, but for most rabbits the benefits of spaying/neutering far outweigh the very small risk.
It may take a little time to find an experienced vet in your area, but the effort is well worth it. And while the cost of the surgery may seem high at first, the cost of not doing it is much higher. Since spaying removes so many health risks, it will not only save your rabbit’s life, it will save you from future heartbreak and much higher cost of caring for her illnesses that could have been avoided.
Your bunnies will be rewarded with a less stressful, much longer, healthier life. You will gain some of your sanity back when their hormones are gone. And, best of all they will be able to share that long life with you and with a companion bunny of their own!
Rabbits can make wonderful indoor companions when given proper care and understanding. Educating yourself about a rabbit’s special needs first will prepare you for a rewarding lifetime adventure.
Rabbits can have a sense of humor; they can express love and contentment. Some are shy while others will boldly take over your household.