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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Parents won’t neuter bunny?

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    • HerculesandMolasses
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        My parents told me that they would but they changed their mind because a teenager from petsmart said it wasn’t necessary. I tried to tell them not to believe him but they said that I’m just a kid and he’s a pet shop worker. They also said that the previous owner said that they don’t need to be neutered because we aren’t putting him with another bunny. Also, the previous owner neglected him very badly but my parents think they weren’t. My parents also said he’s doing fine and there is nothing wrong. There is something wrong but my parents said that neutering won’t fix it. The thing that is wrong is that he is extremely aggressive towards other pets and my cat and dog ate petrified sound him and my bunny also mounts excessively. I’ve told them the health benefits and that it is worth it to neuter him but they told me not to believe random people on the Internet. I am not happy about this and I told them that but they said that I’m being crazy and we will give him away. I know it sounds like I’m bad mouthing them but I’m trying not to. How can I convince them? They keep telling me he is perfectly fine but they say that with all our other pets even though they eat very low quality food with a lot of corn and they are cats and dogs. I’ve tried to tell them the food is unhealthy for the cats and dogs but they, again, said not to be crazy and that I’m being too gullible. Help!


      • Jadeo09
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          hello
          you are a very responsible young person. who is behaving more responsible for your pets than your parents seem to be. it’s not their fault they just seem closed minded. as a pet owner it’s our responsibility to find out from trusted people which include charities and vets what’s best for our pets.
          I would ask remember to read through trusted websites like rspca and vets to see their opinions.
          it would be best of they would consider talking to a vet about why to neuter and they will see that the aggressiveness and mounting us because of sexual frustration which can be releived by neutering.
          you are not gullible you are intelligent because you make an effort to educate yourself.

          being a child doesn’t make you make worse decisions. grown ups aren’t always right.
          and they could learn allot from children if they allow themselves to educate themselves
          good luck, arguing makes things worse calm discussions is always best. also asking them to respect your opinion would help because your opinion is just as important as anyone else.
          your not bad mouthing them, your stating facts.

          I’m proud of the way you are behaving your animals are lucky to have such a caring friend
          jade


        • Paradigm
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            Would your parents agree to take your bunny to a vet for a general check up, or for vaccinations.

            You could bring up the difficult behaviours and hope that the vet asks whether your bunny is neutered.

            Online information from reputable sources such as academic articles or well known rescue centres may help.


          • Jadeo09
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              This link may help


            • Jadeo09
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                If you ever need advice these are the ones to trust. They have a huge range of experience and keep up to date in my opinion
                http://rabbit.org/faq-spaying-and-neutering/e.http://rabbit.org/faq-spaying-and-neutering/


              • BarbaraC
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                  I agree with Jadeo09. Rabbit.org is a great resource, however, it seems your parents are not to keen on information found on the internet. I would recommend going to your local library to see if they have any good books on rabbits. Be careful though, so many books out there give terrible advice. Try to make sure that you get a few that are current and are geared towards house rabbits and not livestock. The House Rabbit Handbook is a good one to look for.

                  Another argument you can make with them is that the urine of rabbits who have not been fixed is very strong smelling because of the hormones while neutered rabbits urine is much less offensive. Also, check with local shelters in your area. Some offer free or reduced cost neuter and spay services.

                  Good luck. It sounds like you are doing all the right things.


                • LBJ10
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                    Okay, this is going to sound crazy, but why not save up your own money for the neuter? Do you babysit? Do chores? Get birthday/Christmas/whatever money? If you are determined to have your bunny neutered, then you might just need to take charge of the situation. Bonus points: Your parents will see how responsible you are.

                    That being said, it isn’t medically necessary to have a boy bunny neutered. There are many benefits, of course, as everyone has stated above. But it doesn’t carry with it the same health risk as choosing not to spay a girl bunny does. Boys can get testicular cancer, but the risk is relatively small. So as long as you’re sure Hercules is a boy, then the “teenager at the pet store” was partially correct. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still work toward getting Hercules neutered. If you are dealing with behavioral problems, then neutering him will likely make him a better bunny to deal with.


                  • Eepster
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                      Can you try to meet them halfway. Neutering could definitely help with the territorial aggression and mounting, but it isn’t actually necessary for a single male. If you can try to approach the conversation more calmly, they will be more open to listening.

                      Dropping the cat and dog food complaints will help too. You’re right that corn is kind of junk food food them, but most humans don’t get a perfect diet either. We often indulge in things that aren’t that good for us like soda and chips. Perfect diets are rarely found. As long as they are feeding the dog dog food, and the cat cat food, it’s OK, commercial diets are well fortified. Sometimes OK is the best we can do.


                    • redbunbun
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                        I was going to say what Eepster and LBJ said – it’s good that he’s not a girl, so not neutering him isn’t putting his life in danger! Thankfully, neuters are also less expensive than sterilizations, so it would be easier for you to save up your own money for the operation.


                      • hiskatey93
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                          Honestly I had a lot of problems with Chom before we neutered him. He was aggressive, highly so. Not just towards other creatures, but even to us humans after a while. He attacked me so constantly and left deep wounds that scarred, and even one bite needed stitches in the end. Neutering him was the best choice I ever made, because after it he stopped attacking, the aggression left entirely, and he became quite a loveable bunny.

                          Honestly call your vet beforehand, and explain the situation, and ask them to please, when you bring in the bunny, inform them that neutering is the best option. Explain how your parents won’t research it, and won’t listen to anyone except a vet, since they have the most knowledge. Every vet I’ve ever met has highly recommended neutering/spaying. Most vets will understand something like this, especially if you get a good one, and when you bring the bunny in, make sure both of your parents come in as well.

                          That or work a part time job and save up for the cost of the surgery. It isn’t as expensive as a spay thankfully, and a lot more affordable.


                        • HerculesandMolasses
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                            No they would not take him to the vet for a checkup. They can’t take him for vaccinations because there are none in the USA


                          • HerculesandMolasses
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                              Well ok but cats and dogs are carnivores so having there meal filled a ton with corn isn’t healthy. I believe their food isn’t even ok because corn just passes through their system so that means that they have to eat more food to get any nutritional benefits therefore they get fat and poop more. Most humans diets are decent but the cats and dogs food are pretty much terrible because junk food is one thing, but very unhealthy junk food that is being fed exclusively to our pets is another.


                            • Avantika
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                                Get hold of a rabbit savvy bun and discuss this issue with him. Plan the entire scenario with him, tell him your parents arent understanding and that he needs to convince them its needed. Now take your parents to this vet for general check up or something, act like you dont know this vet, make sure you tell the vet to act in front of your parents like he doesnt know you.

                                Hopefully this will work. I understand your situation. Cuddling a pet isnt same as having concern for them. My mom acts in front of people like moshu is the centre of her universe. Let moshu fall sick and my mom believes that animals are ‘supposed’ to get better on their own. We can spend money on vet and medicines anytime, whether that be after her death, you know ?

                                If you are able to do any part time work its even better. Nothing compares to the feeling of contentment when you get something for your pet with your own salary or share of money. However, if that isnt possible in near future, stage the entire scenario with your vet. Give it a try.


                              • Jadeo09
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                                  Your right Hercules feeding them for with mainly corn is bad for them they don’t get the choice to eat better that’s what is wrong. Humans can choose to eat badly but eting al different food is bestfor us even what soe people sy is bad its not . its just bad in large quantities or when only eating it.
                                  Buying a pet gives us responsibility and we shouldn’t abuse that by not doing what is best for them.
                                  Someone who won’t take their pet to a vet for a check up and advice and refuse to trust anyone else that’s irresponsible and they shouldn’t have a pet.


                                • Jadeo09
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                                    Its lovely that you don’t have that attitude.


                                  • Jadeo09
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                                      Here is a book that explains why to get pets spay/neutered and how to care for a rabbit.


                                    • Jadeo09
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                                      • vanessa
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                                          I can remember feeling the way you do. My parents saw me as an argumentative unreasonable teenager. (They used harsher words than that). That kind of atmosphere can make it difficult to start a real discussion. It takes both sides being calm and nice – to get results. Because your parents are your parents – and they might see your interaction as argumentative and unreasonable, they might note respond the way you would like them too. Perhaps working on your relationship and atmosphere with your parents – would be a good first step. Since they feed low-end food, perhaps money is an issue. I agree with LBJ10. Perhaps if you saved up to help cover the cost of the neuter, it will be easier to bring it up with your parents. Focusing the discussion on negatives, might just stone-wall them. If you were able to save up, tell them you appreciate their support (they are paying to house and feed your bunny), that you have saved up for the surguey (it really does cost less than a spay), and you would like them to accompany you to the vets office. (Good change for the vet to explain good bunny care to them). Also – look for low-cost surgeries. I could only affora a low-cost surgery. My local vet would have charged $450 for the surgery. The clinic an hour and a half away – charged $50. My first male, Merlin, sprayed quite badly. He would spray me all the way up to my waist! The female buns were splattered with Merlin spray. I was very relieved to have him neutered. Litter training is easier. Behaviour is easier. Health is not really affected. Back to my first point – I am so glad you want to take good care of your animals. I think it would be easier for you if you first worked on your relationship and atmosphere with your parents. People are all emotional creatures. Us, and our parents. Just because something is the right thing to do, doesn’t mean someone will do it – if they feel the atmosphere is negative. Learning how to deal with people – is the biggest life skill you will learn. It’s how we get things done – when the other person doesn’t want to do it.


                                        • Jadeo09
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                                            I agree Vanessa. You have to learn to be assertive not aggressive.
                                            People can explain anything in a decent good hearted way and you seem nice and good hearted.
                                            Your parents may not have the money in which case they shouldn’t have got pets but now they have they have to try their best by them its by law in the UK to fulfil certain requirements.
                                            Can you ask your parents if you help out do chores and errands would they consider giving you pocket money.
                                            Children in my street wash neighbourhood cars for money. Maybe that would interest you.
                                            For the rabbits health it may not be worth the risk of neutering unless your bun seems agitated or frustrated .
                                            Good luck and stay calm you parents may not know what is best.


                                          • Eepster
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                                              I was watching Dr K’s Exotic Animal ER. They were neutering a Flemish giant for behavior issues. Maybe if you can get them to watch the episode with you they will start to believe in the value of neutering.


                                            • Jadeo09
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                                                maybe your local vets or shelters have leaflets about it maybe you can get samples sent to your home from online?


                                              • HerculesandMolasses
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                                                  I seriously tried all the things you guys said and they threatened to slap me.


                                                • LBJ10
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                                                    They threatened to slap you because you offered to pay for the neuter with your own money?


                                                  • Bam
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                                                      Well, as others have said, there is no risk for Hercules’s health if you keep him intact, so I think you just have to go with what your parents have decided. That’s how it is when you are a kid and live in your parent’s house and they support you. If Hercules had been a girl, there would have been serious health-risks, but he isn’t a girl.

                                                      There are people here who have un-neutered single males that do excellently. So please try to be reasonable. I know you care a lot and read up on stuff regarding pets and I also know that parents can be so frustrating at times, but really, this is not something you need to waste more energy on. Either you try and scrape some money together yourself for a neuter, or you just leave it be. That’s my suggestion, in all friendliness.


                                                    • Tessie
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                                                        I agree with Bam.


                                                      • LBJ10
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                                                          Bam made some excellent points.


                                                        • HerculesandMolasses
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                                                            Sorry I haven’t been on in a long time and ok.


                                                          • Bam
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                                                              Hi Hercules&Molasses! Wellcome back I hope all is well and that you’re having a wonderful Christmas!

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                                                          Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Parents won’t neuter bunny?