So, I was hoping I could get some non-judgemental info and advice about the possibility of NOT neutering Zeus, or any male bun. I ultimately want to do what’s best for HIM, and that’s why I am torn!
Here’s the info: Zeus is 2 years old, he’ll be 3 in February. He’s currently intact. He lives with me, and is a single bun. He displays zero negative behaviors expected of male intact buns. He is not territorial, or aggressive. He’s never sprayed or marked anything. He has impeccable litter habits, and was litter trained in 2 or 3 days. He doesn’t smell, nor does his litterbox or cage. He’s not overly destructive, yes he likes to chew and dig but not to the point where it’s a problem. He does like to hump on occasion, but he has a fluffy rolled up handtowel to do that. He never humps me, he only attempted it a few times and a few firm “nah-ah”s or “no”s and he got that it wasn’t allowed. He tried to hump my fiance a few times, but same thing, once he figured out fiance also wouldn’t allow it, he doesn’t bother him, either.
I don’t expect to be getting another bun any time in the near or far future. He’s always lived as a single bun, and gets lots of attention, so I don’t feel like he’s missing a lot by not having another rabbit companion.
I’ve thought really long and hard about neutering, but honestly, I can’t come up with many reasons to do it. And yes, I’m sure he’s intact, I’ve seen his “goods”. The only thing I’m concerned about is any risk of testicular cancer, but I cannot find any info on that. All the sites and articles I’ve read said it’s a big risk in females (reproductive cancer), but I haven’t read anything about males. Does this mean it’s not a big risk? Or is there just not a lot of info done on males? .
So if I could get some experienced, educated input that is not judgemental about my possible decision to keep him intact, I would really, really appreciate it. Like I said, I’m only trying to do what’s best for him. Money or convenience isn’t an issue, I just think that if surgery CAN be avoided without detriment to the animal’s health, it should. I mean, why should I risk a neuter.. when I can’t come up with many good reasons to do it in the first place? I know neuters aren’t as risky as spays.. but ANY surgery does have risks. I just worry that he’ll get to the age where it’ll be much riskier to neuter him (I know older buns have higher risks during neutering), and I’ll regret my decision or something in keeping him intact. I’m so undecided!