If we talk about rabbits, whether we refer to males or females, heat will be one of the main topics to be discussed. Keepers frequently seek information about heat and its effects, how to identify it, and what to do. In this article on our site we are going to review the characteristics of the heat period in male and female rabbits so that keepers have no doubts when it comes to identifying this behaviour. We will also solve doubts regarding sterilization, understood as the definitive way to end the problems that our rabbit or doe in heat will present us with.
What is heat?
Oestrus is the period during which an animal is fertile Therefore, females will be able to become pregnant and males will be in readiness to fertilize them. Jealousy is different depending on the species. For example, female dogs will be fertile for a few days a couple of times a year and report their period approaching with bleeding for up to three weeks. On the other hand, female cats and rabbits present induced ovulation during copulation within a period of heat that lasts practically the whole year and does not involve any bleeding. In the following sections we will develop the fundamental characteristics of heat in male and female rabbits.
Oestrus in male rabbits
Do male rabbits go into heat? Yes. Rabbits are animals known for their precociousness and speed when it comes to reproducing. With some variations, male rabbits can be sexually mature as young as 4-6 months Note that their life expectancy is about 8 -10 years. They do not have periods of heat, but, from that moment, they remain in constant heat, yes, with peaks of greater and lesser activity. This fact translates into a series of changes in their behavior, such as the following:
- Urine marking. Our rabbit, although it has been very clean up to now, will begin to mark, by sprinkling, any object or material within its reach. Also, the urine will have a strong odor.
- Monta, as characteristic behavior. The rabbit will look, following its instinct, for objects, but it will also try to perch on our hands, arms or feet.
- Aggressiveness and territoriality. Although until now our rabbit has been affectionate and charming, from his heat he can show aggressive behavior, reaching the point of being difficult to manipulate.
- Restlessness, which can be presented as a continuous movement around us while emitting a sound similar to a buzzing.
- Biting and destruction increase, as does the act of digging.
All these manifestations, as expected, cause our rabbit considerable stress. It is for this reason, and the rest of the inconveniences, that castration is usually chosen. Sterilization is recommended to avoid heat problems in male and female rabbits, especially in the latter, as we will see in the next section.
Oestrus in rabbits
As in the case of male rabbits, female rabbits become sexually mature very early. There are variations but the first oestrus in female rabbits can begin between 4-6 months and continue throughout their lives, with moments of less or greater activity. The female rabbits will not present any type of bleeding during heat, in fact, staining is a reason for veterinary consultation.
The symptoms of a female rabbit in heat will be very similar to those of male rabbits, that is, we will find urine marking, restlessness, some aggressiveness and mounting. In addition, we can observe, if we look closely, that her vulva appears clearly visible and has a reddish-purple color If pregnancy occurs, it will last about 30 days, at term of which they will give birth to 1 to 5 rabbits. It is very important to know that the lactation period does not inhibit heat, that is, after giving birth, the doe can become pregnant again. Therefore, if we keep rabbits of both sexes together and without spaying, the population can skyrocket in a very short time.
In addition to the behavioral changes caused by heat, a high percentage of female rabbits develop uterine tumors such as adenocarcinoma, which can endanger their lives. Hence, its early sterilization is recommended, since, with age, the risk increases. As we can see, heat in male and female rabbits can be a serious coexistence problem that even leads to abandonment, in the case of the most unscrupulous keepers. Therefore, it is very important to emphasize that it has a solution, as we will detail later.
How long does heat last in rabbits?
There is no established time that indicates the exact duration of heat in rabbits, but once they reach sexual maturity, They are in heat practically all year roundAs we have explained in the previous sections, both males and females experience episodes of greater or lesser sexual activity, but they can be in heat at any time.
The importance of sterilization in rabbits
As we have been saying, the heat of male and female rabbits is responsible for changes in their behavior. Aggressiveness, marking or mounting are activities that are not only annoying for the keeper, but also cause stress to the animal, not to mention serious he alth problems. As the period of heat in rabbits is practically permanent, sterilization is more than recommended, and this can be done around 6 months of life or, in males, at the time the testicles descend. In them it is a very simple operation that consists of the extraction of the testicles. In females, when dealing with internal organs such as the uterus or ovaries, the intervention is somewhat more complex. Even so, in both cases hospitalization is not required and the rabbits can recover at home, since this reduces the stress of being in a strange place and, therefore, favors their recovery.
If we decide to sterilize the rabbit, at home we must administer antibiotics to prevent infections and analgesics to prevent it from feeling pain, very important, since, with pain, they are animals that stop eating. We must also keep the bed very clean and, better, with paper, to reduce potential contamination that could infect the wound. The effects of the operation are not immediate, so we must be patient, since it may even take a few months to recover our calm and affectionate rabbit. It is very important that the sterilization is carried out by a veterinarian trained in these small animals, which are increasingly present in our homes.
