4 key reasons for neutering male rabbits.

1) Prevention of pregnancy
This is the most common reason for neutering a rabbit; ideally a male and female should be kept as a neutered pair. There are an estimated 67,000 unwanted pet rabbits registered through rescue centres every year in the UK, we want to avoid breeding more! Young males if castrated prior to sexually maturity, at around 4 months, do not have chance to become fertile and so can stay with their female litter mates. Beware… older castrated males can still have sperm in their system for up to 8 weeks post operation so they must be kept separate from entire females during this time.

2) Prevention of aggressive behaviour
Males when sexually mature can display aggressive behaviour, it is a way of learning to protect themselves, their territory, and establish their social position. Unfortunately they can take this aggression out on their cage mates or on you. Neutering males around 4 months old will keep this behaviour to a minimum, they become generally happier and more relaxed pets.

3) Prevention of urine spraying
Spraying and ‘humping’ are two natural behaviours for entire male rabbits due to the high level of hormones they require for reproduction. Males use spraying to mark their territory, they spray 10 times more frequently than females and a sexually mature male rabbit has very strong unpleasant smelling urine. Males neutered from 4 months of age do not have chance to learn this behaviour so it can be nipped in the bud. Unfortunately it may be impossible to stop this behaviour in older castrated males.

4) Prevention of testicular and prostate diseases
Testicular disease is uncommon but can occur. Usually males present with a testicular abscess as the result of a bite wound from another rabbit, a haematoma (blood filled testicle), or cancer. Neutering will prevent all these diseases.