Neutering a male Flemish Rabbit: Do I really need to?

[Pugzy]

I just got a MALE flemish rabbit a week ago and he's now about 7 weeks old. I'm looking at the cost of neutering and it's very expensive! I don't plan on breeding him (at least that's not my plan at this juncture) and I don't have any other pets in the house. Most of what I've read over the Internet says that the females tend to be more aggressive than the males anyway. So since there are no other bunnies around to impregnate and no other pets around to be aggressive toward, I'm not sure if neutering is still necessary or not.

I have no idea WHAT AGE is ideal for neutering this breed of rabbit but I get the feeling I need to decide one way or another soon. Thoughts?

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Neutering can help with some issues like spraying. I also feel it tends to make my bucks even mellower, though my un-neutered males were always more than sweet too. You definitely do not need to neuter, you just need to decide if you want to or not. It does seem important to spay does though, due to cancer issues.

Sometimes you can find spay and neuter clinics that handle rabbits. I just moved from an area that had a very rabbit savvy spay and neuter clinic that did three of my rabbits (2 does, one buck) for $50 for males and $60 for females. The price included take-home rabbit safe pain medication.

Opinions, even amongst vets, range widely on when to fix rabbits, and when the giant breeds should be fixed as they can take much longer than smaller breeds to reach sexual maturity. I fixed my Elops at around 6 months of age, which is when they displayed the first signs of sexual interest.

 

[Fly 2006]

I had my rescue bunny neutered and he was probably about two at the time, I only had it done as we wanted him to have the run of the house but he started spraying on the sofa and trying to claim it as his own, he would grunt and run at me when I went near! Off with his bits and he turned into the sweetest little chap you could wish for, he had a litter tray in the corner so not even any mistakes on the carpet, he was great!

 

[coffeenutdesign]

I would wait and see if any issues arise before neutering. We have had had unmodified males with no problems. A lot of times spraying will come if there are other rabbits or animals in the home, so if he is your only one it might not ever become an problem. If he does start acting up, you can go have it done then. My friend had her male bunny neutered as an adult with no health problems. Just start a little fund right now, like put a few bucks in it every payday or something, so you will have the money on hand already allotted to that if you ever decide to have it done.

 

[iluvsedward]

I never fixed any of my bucks and they were always very sweet. but I did keep them outdoors

 

[Pugzy]

I can't remember how to start a new post/thread here but I've got a new question.

 

[inthesticks]

Okay neutering -- Yes it's about the price of a cat-
But wouldn't you want to have 5 or more yrs w/ you bun???? There have been studies done on does & once they hit 4yrs old they jump from a 4-6% chance to an 80% chance of developing cancer, now they haven't done studies on but because the # are so drastic I wont be taking any chances w/ my buns
everyone is getting fixed before their 4th bday.

As others have said - it can stop the spraying- def stop the humping everything that moves, potty training & continued use etc



You have more time anyways to decide. Most vets will not alter rabbits till at least 6mths of age- due to the size of some breeds.

What is the other Q you have?

 

[Pugzy]

Thank you all! This was some great feedback. I probably will neuter him when he's old enough because I don't want the spraying. As far as rabbit cancer goes, I've heard that's more of a concern for female rabbits, not males. Nevertheless, he'll be getting neutered when he gets older. The general consensus about the proper age to neuter seems to be 6 months. Others have said 4 months. I guess I'll ask the vet.