galllatea's Profile

A cranky female bunny has less to do with treatment, but more so to do with hormones. A rabbit going through adolescence and becoming an adult will become territorial and defend its home and be easily offended nipping and grunting. Seems to happen more often with females than males.

Spay/neuter can help, but is not a sure thing. I used to work in a rabbit rescue and I have to say it's far better to adopt an adult that is already spayed/neutered and you will know EXACTLY what personality you are getting from the get-go (you can visit as much as you want before the adoption to get to know them - if they let you pick them up and pet them right away, that's a really good sign).

People usually abandon their bun when they go through the nippy stage. But a larger cage and a spay usually helps. I have a female that will still nip though even with a newer larger home and a spay. I just know how NOT to offend her, but she will still get territorial now and then.

I've had 5 males - all the same, easy going, neutered or not. Plus the male neuters are way cheaper and safer with a rabbit specialized vet. Sometimes they call themselves "pocket pet" vets. Ask their success rate with spays before going to a vet that is going to do the surgery. Females can have complications as it's a more serious surgery with a spay, vs. a neuter. Also, some rabbits don't do well with anesthesia - I had one female that just wouldn't go under, so she could never be spayed.

Males will stop spraying to mark territory after a neuter and that seems always 100% if done when they are younger. I'd go for an adult neutered male if I had a choice. If you don't neuter a male - he will spray urine like a skunk on your pant legs and furniture.

Despite all that craziness, I still have 2 young males and one very old little cranky female Jersey Wooly that is 8 years old and going strong. Can't imagine life w/o rabbits. I try to adopt unwanted ones.