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It
isn't easy to figure out what you have - a boy or a girl. Rabbits know immediately when they meet! Behavior
doesn’t always help in identifying the sex of a rabbit.
Mounting is dominance behavior and rabbits will still
do this after altering to assert themselves (that includes both sexes). Both
males and females will dig and act aggressive as they enter puberty. Males
will take 6 weeks after neutering to be completely without testosterone in their
system. If you have an unspayed female, please be sure to separate.
Females have an 85% of having uterine cancer by age 5 years pf age if they
are not spayed. For the sake of the health of your female rabbit, please
have them spayed and give them 10 days or two weeks to recover before putting
them back in the same cage with another rabbit. (You can house them next
to another rabbit. (Put a few inches between the cages.)
GETTING A GRIP ON THE RABBIT
Turn your rabbit over on
it’s back. (This is way easier said than done!) Hold the rabbit with its head lower than its hind legs. Within
a few seconds, the rabbit should start to relax.
Separate his hind legs with one hand while firmly holding him with the
other. If you aren’t experienced
in putting a bunny into a trance on their back, then get someone to help you and
hold the bunny on his back on a flat surface. Be very gentle. Work
fast. This position is uncomfortable for a rabbit. Speak softly to your rabbit
and be careful! The rabbit is scared of being in such a vulnerable
position. If you don't think you can do this,
there are alternatives. But if you can, here's how to tell if you have a
boy or girl rabbit.
SEXING YOUNG RABBITS:
If you put some slight
pressure above the sexual organs you will see either a circle or slit.
In an adult rabbit, it will be clear to tell what sex rabbit you
have. The male has a circle
shape.
By
the way, I have never seen a clerk in a pet store sex a rabbit correctly or
accurately. If you want a rabbit, adopt from a knowledgeable rabbit rescue
organization or humane society. Rosemary Rabbit, my Harlequin female, was
sold to me as a "dwarf neutered male Rex." I knew that was entirely wrong
so I took her home. She was a 3 month old unspayed female Harlequin breed
rabbit from a Petco store in Minnesota. She had already been returned by
her first purchaser according to the clerk because she was "too wild."
See
the "Fix Your Rabbit" page on this
web site for reasons why this needs to be done!
Here
are few links that explain sexing rabbits and some have photos:
Sexing a Rabbit
How to Sex a Rabbit
Sexing Rabbits and Scent Glands
Always have
your rabbits neutered and spayed for medical reasons, to avoid unwanted litters
and to have a pet than can be litter box trained easier plus reduce aggressive
behavior and spraying!
Why your bunny should be spayed
Spaying & Neutering Your Pet Rabbit: What Happens &
Why
Rabbit Network: Why Spay Your Rabbit
To Breed or Not to Breed by Dana Krempels, Ph.D,
Rabbit Neuter with Surgery Photos - Long Beach Animal Hospital
Rabbit Spay with Surgery Photos -
Long Beach Animal Hospital
Photo
Credit:
These sweet little 3 lb. rabbits are in love!
Dwarf Rabbits are
perfect apartment pets. |
