Rabbit age question

[farmkid11]

Hi, my rabbit domino just turned four years old today. He is not neutered, but I heard that neutering makes rabbits live longer. How much longer would he live if I got him neutered and how long without. What is the average lifespan? By the way he is a black and white newzealand male rabbit very healthy and playful.

 

[P.O. in MO]

You will probably get other opinions on this but in my readings the avg. lifespan of a NZ is 5-7 years. Usually they add that they can live up to 15 yrs. As far as the neutering there are differing opinions on this. Some say that the neutering rules out the possibility of cancers in the reproductive organs that rabbits sometimes develop but I found no numbers saying the odds of a particular rabbit developing this. One thing I read said that rabbits are social creatures and by neutering a buck you reduce some hormonal stress therefore promoting better health. It would also allow the addition of a companion rabbit for him without the fear of him fighting with another buck or trying to breed a doe.

 

[Riverside Fainters]

It's hard to say. Genetics play a big role as we'll in how long they will live. I personally, chose to have my boys neutered. I have dealt with bucks and hated the spraying.