Rabbits reach sexual maturity at about age six months. It varies somewhat by breed. Spaying is the surgical procedure carried out on females in which their reproductive organs (uterus and ovaries) are removed, neutering the buck involves removing the testicles, or the same as a castration.
There are pros and cons to the procedure for either sex.
Since one of the most common cancers female rabbits can suffer from is uterine tumors, removing the uterus can eliminate the problem. No uterus, no possibility of cancer in that organ.
At the same time, as in dogs, removing it drastically reduces the production of estrogen, which plays a role in causing tumors elsewhere in the body. The ovaries are no longer there to produce the hormone, which reduces the chances of hormonal cancers of the breast and other organs. Spaying also prevents false pregnancy, which occurs in females from time to time. In false or pseudopregnancy, the female's body acts as if it were pregnant, producing drastic hormonal changes. The rabbit responds by nest building, milk production and other behaviors that may be unwanted. Stress is often higher and the rabbit may respond to familiar people and pets aggressively. Spaying eliminates the problem.
Similarly, removing the testes of the male substantially reduces the amount of testosterone flowing through the rabbit's body. Neutering erases the possibility of testicular cancer and lowers the prospect of tumors elsewhere though to a lesser degree than the female. At the same time, it reduces the likelihood of aggression, especially where males are around a female.
For both the male and female, removing the sex organs reduces marking behavior. Marking occurs when the rabbit urinates (and sometimes defecates) to 'claim' territory, and to keep others away. The result can be stained carpets, failure or refusal to use the litter box, and other problems. Spaying or neutering may not eliminate it entirely, but it lessens the chances.
On the other hand, spaying and neutering are not completely without possible negatives.
Like any surgical procedure, it entails some risk. Though millions of spaying and neutering surgeries have been carried out, they haven't all been carried out by your vet. He or she may or may not have done any. Finding a vet knowledgeable about rabbits, or willing to treat them, is more difficult than finding one for a pet dog or cat.
The procedure is certainly very similar to that performed, say, on a cat. But if your vet is qualified to treat your rabbit in general, he or she may not have the experience to spay or neuter your pet. It's possible to have it performed by someone more experienced with rabbits, but most people prefer to have their pet treated exclusively by one vet, even when they work in the same office.
Also, many people will want to breed their rabbits. Usually, that's an undertaking best left to professionals, or at least those with experience. It's not as easy as it seems if you want the best outcome. But it's an option that some will want to leave open.
The best approach is to get as much relevant information as possible about the procedures, the risks and then choose. Just as you would for your child, dog or any other loved one.
Filed under About Pet Rabbits, News by on Jun 7th, 2009. Comment. 
The Gazing Rabbit Medium should be in every garden or pond and everyone should have one! We have plenty of choices and they can be turn on and off at night. The unique handcrafted sculptures with verdigris and bronze patina add luxurious distinction the home, patio and garden. Cast by skilled artisans, many are replicas of European masters. Our pieces are designed to convey feelings of sentiment, magic and amusement, and delight a discriminating clientand#232;le who appreciate craftsmanship 10 years behind the time. These are Heirlooms of tomorrow.
Filed under About Pet Rabbits, News by on May 8th, 2009. Comment.
So, you want a dog but you don’t want to mess it around with your kids. You instead choose a cat for a pet but you find it all too annoying. Oh, you like pets that are furry and cute and none of these guys suit your taste so what you need to do now? Well, how about a Dwarf Hamster? Here’s something you might want to know about Dwarf Hamsters: They are now one of the most popular pets all over the world. Hamsters make cute pets for anybody of all ages because of their cleanliness and cuteness, and hamsters are also more or less inexpensive and you can care for it easily. A hamster usually makes an ideal pet for children and helps teach responsibility. The the life expectancy of a hamster is approximately 1-3 years, and because of this, many people people claim that caring for this little creature is a nice way for a child to eventually learn to cope with losing someone.
There are many different types of hampsters but this is the heartbreaker right here and this little fellow can only grow to three to four inches in length. You can keep together one with other Dwarf Hamsters and they will usually get along just fine. Before you decide to buy a hamster, you should buy all the supplies you need such as a hamster cage, water bottle, food, bedding and toys and most of all, it’s important that you should learn about Dwarf Hampster Care. You can buy any of the stuff you need to prepare for a new pet hamster and also in buying a hamster pet guide by searching online.
Now, after you have everything set up, you are ready to buy a pet hamster from a pet shop or from a hamster breeder. The Dwarf hamster itself is is affordable, and you already have all the things needed by your new pet and waiting for your Dwarf hampster, so you shouldn't have to spend a whole lot of money at the pet shop. Try to make sure that the hamster appears to be clean and well taken care of. But the most important thing of all, you really need to learn some Dwarf Hampster Care so that you can enjoy the company of these cute guys and even your children will get entertained by them for they are animals or pets that can really interact with people.
Filed under About Pet Rabbits, News by on Mar 16th, 2009. Comment.
What is a hermit crab? Well, hermit crabs are unusual pets for unusual people, maybe like you. In all seriousness, according to Wikipedia, these are decapod crustaceans of the superfamily Paguroidea. Honeslty, they are not that so related to crabs. Sort of, in human terminology, in-laws or far relatives but they walk funny, too, one side. They are commonly seen in the intertidal zone, for example, in tide pools. These crustaceans have the attitude of abandoning their own shell in a given time and will find a much larger shell. This is why they are called “hermit crabs” and can you imagine that a lot of people have considered hermit crabs as pets. What’s more, because of this new found love in these animals, there are even sites out there that offer some Hermit Crab care and other valuable information vital for owning a crustacean. It is also worthy to note that some of these crabs can live among humans for almost 20 years. If you’re looking for a pet and you like to have a marine life in your living room, an aquarium, for instance, why not put some hermit crabs on it?
For those who want to have stimulating vista inside his his house, an aquarium is one of the strongly recommended item that you can put on top of your television or in just one area of your bedroom. You can complete your collection of marine life by having your own Hermit Crab pet. They can also provide some “cleaning” services for other occupants of your tank. You know crustaceans are, don’t you? They are also considered as “janitors” of the sea and they eat all kinds of small animals and bacteria on the ocean floor which makes the whole area clean and free from parasites. Who knows, with a Hermit Crabs pet, you might have the cleanest tank among your friends and you don’t even need to invest on cleaners for your aquarium. So, what do you say?
Filed under About Pet Rabbits, News by on Mar 15th, 2009. Comment.
Having a rabbit as a pet can be fun and rewarding. Oftentimes, rabbits are used as a "starter pet" for children because they cost less than a dog or cat to buy and care for. They are soft and cuddly, and when handled gently and often, seldom bite.
Rabbits can live long, up to ten years or so. That in itself can be either a good or bad thing depending on your viewpoint. People often view rabbits as something to entertain the kids when they're young. But with a life expectancy as long as a dog makes them a long-term commitment. Think ahead.
Rabbits are susceptible to some diseases that can be difficult to treat. There are several viruses that can infect your pet rabbit such as RHD (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease) and herpes virus. Even if they survive, they can also spread it to other rabbits. Fortunately, RHD is not as prevalent in the United States as it is in other countries. Rabbits are also susceptible to bacterial infections, such as Pastuerlla, which can cause infections of the nose, ears and eyes. These bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, but there are some strains that are resistant.
Rabbits can also be infested with fleas, lice and ear mites. Products available from your veterinarian, such as Revolution and Advantage -Multi for cats have been used to treat and control the parasites on rabbits.
Since rabbits can not throw up, a hairball impaction can cause them serious intestinal problems. Giving your bunny a proper diet with lots of leafy greens can help minimize problems with hairballs. Rabbits also need a balanced diet for their bacterial flora to help with their digestion. Introduce new foods slowly so their digestive system can adjust.
Rabbits requires some care, more than a cat, but considerably less than a dog. While bathing them is unnecessary, and indeed not generally a good idea (rabbits can easily overheat), they can still benefit from regular brushing and nail care. Frequent brushing also reduces hairball problems and keeps the hair from accumulating in the house. Clipping the tips off the nails will help reduce injuries from scratching to both people and flooring.
Some rabbits can be kept as house pets, much like cats, and can be litter trained. Unlike a cat, they do like to chew more and scratch up things, so it is important to rabbit proof your home and keep electrical cords out of reach. There are furniture guards that can also applied to exposed furniture legs or a bitter apple spray can be used as an extra deterrent.
Giving your pet rabbit lots of things to chew on will help keep him away from the furniture as well as help keep their teeth worn down. Excessive tooth growth can occur in rabbits because their teeth constantly are growing. If their teeth become to long, a trip to the veterinarian for a quick trim may be necessary.
Vet care is important, but can be expensive and time consuming. There is one additional problem having a bunny as a pet, there are not a lot of veterinarians with much experience with treating pet rabbits. Often little creatures just can not get the attention a dog or cat can, especially when financially it is cheaper to replace the pet than it is to treat it. That gives less opportunity for veterinarians to treat. Finding a good one in your area can be difficult. If you can find a veterinarian that is willing to treat your rabbit, they can consult with specialists that are on-line by using the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). Often times, there are exotic specialists available in the larger metro areas, or you can find a doctor at a Veterinary University.
Many people really enjoy their rabbits as pets and there are several different kinds to choose from. You can choose a smaller dwarf rabbit to a large Californian rabbit. Before you purchase a rabbit, you can sometimes go to a livestock show and see the rabbits raised by the 4-H and FFA students and choose the kind that appeals to you and your child. There are also photos of all the recognized breeds of rabbits at http://www.arba.net/Breeds.htm. Take the time to research how to care for a rabbit and the breed of rabbit you may like before you bring your bunny home.
Rabbits can make good house pets, with just a little preparation and lots of love.
Filed under About Pet Rabbits by on Feb 25th, 2009. Comment.
