Spaying and neutering pet rabbits is strongly recommended by veterinary experts for health, behaviour, and welfare reasons, yet uptake remains inconsistent among rabbit owners.
Reproductive disease causes significant and preventable suffering in unspayed female rabbits. Uterine adenocarcinoma is aggressive, often spreading to lungs and other organs before clinical signs are apparent; by the time a rabbit appears unwell, the disease is frequently advanced and treatment options are limited. The progression from uterine hyperplasia through cystic changes to malignancy causes chronic abdominal discomfort and eventually systemic illness. Intact males experience frustration from strong reproductive drives that cannot be expressed appropriately in a domestic setting; this manifests as aggression, stereotypic behaviour, and social incompatibility with companion rabbits. Spaying and neutering dramatically improves both longevity and quality of life, enabling stable bonded pairs that provide the social contact rabbits need for psychological wellbeing.