Spaying & NEUTERING - why pet rabbits should be fixed

I know what some may be thinking - if I only have one rabbit, why is spaying/neutering so important? Let me explain!

Rabbits will reach their "hormonal stage," around 4-6 months old. Although every rabbit is different, we've experienced that does can become territorial in this stage, and can lunge, grunt, and even nip. They can also sometimes spray pee. This is not because they are mean rabbits, it's just their "teenage" hormones, and they cannot control them. This is one of the reasons the myth that "bucks make better pets" exists - because unspayed does can definitely be unpleasant. But, also, bucks can hump, spray pee, and even have some of the similar territorial behaviors that does do.

It may sound like it, but I'm not at all trying to discourage anyone from adopting a rabbit. These behaviors are natural and some rabbits get them "worse" than others. Some rabbits hardly get hormonal at all.

So, how do I fix this?! Back to the original point - spaying & neutering. By getting your rabbit fixed, you will be taking away these hormonal urges (caused by wanting to mate) and ultimately, be making them a better pet. It may seem spendy ($150 - $400 per rabbit usually) but its WELL WORTH IT. If you want a pet rabbit, you should have this surgery and expense in mind. I also recommend having it done by 5-6 months, especially for bucks, as bucks can keep spraying pee after fixing if they've learned the behavior for long enough. 

 Also - you may be thinking, can't I just let this stage pass and not get them fixed? The answer, really, is thats not a good plan. Some rabbits will stay hormonal pretty much forever, and bucks are very likely to stay hormonal. Their hormonal urges might also get worse as the time goes by.

One more thing that spaying/neutering usually helps with is litter box habits. Rabbits will want to "mark" their territory at their hormonal stage by peeing, pooping, and also chinning (they have scent glands under their chins that humans can't smell, but by rubbing their chins on things they are trying to claim them). Peeing and pooping outside the litter box is definitely undesirable! Peeing outside the litter box happens much less than pooping (and usually bucks are the ones to do it), but again, it can be fixed by getting them fixed (lol). Spaying/neutering isn't guaranteed to stop pooping, but remember, rabbit poops are manageable and easy to clean with a vacuum, napkin, or dog (yes, you read that right). 

I hope this helped to all those considering a pet rabbit!