To neuter or not?

AJ is not neutered and he is an only rabbit and I plan to keep it that way. He is at least 3 years old and I am wondering if neutering is something should put him through. He is very docile so personality isn't an issue. But health wise is there a reason? He will NOT be a dad.

Testicular cancer is always a risk for animals with testes (it's not as high in males as uterine problems are in females, but it is still a risk). Behavior is usually the main reason people neuter (it also makes their urine not stink nearly as much!!). Although I've never actually seen this in rabbits, benign prostatic hyperplasia is always a risk in intact males of any species (quite common in humans!). It's just where the prostate gets very large (not cancerous) and occludes the urethra, making it very difficult to urinate. But like I said, I've never actually seen this in rabbits, so it's not exactly a high risk as far as I know.

I'm VERY pro spay and neuter, so if he were mine, I'd neuter him (all of my pets are fixed)- but that's just me personally.

If he's not ever going to have a bunny companion and doesn't show any unwanted hormonal behaviors(spraying, mounting, etc) that are causing problems, then I personally wouldn't neuter, especially if he is pretty docile and not very hormonal in the first place. I had one of my boy buns neutered and he was a pretty calm boy before. Now he doesn't seem as happy and loving as he used to be. Almost too docile now. But I did it so he could be with the rest of his bunny family. But if he was going to have been a single bun, I never would have done it. And I almost wish I hadn't now, I miss my loving boy.

As for the risk of testicular cancer, sure it can happen, but it's pretty rare. Plus as safe as neuter surgery is, there are always risks with any surgery. So no reason to take the chance if there is really no need to, but that's just how I feel about it.

I'd agree with JBun. We have a 2 year old intact male. Also our only rabbit, and will never be bred. He doesn't spray, is housebroken, very docile and sweet. I personally don't see the benefits to neutering (given his personality and lack of bad habits) being worth the surgery/cost. A friend has 2 male bunnies, and one is especially aggressive (always mounting the other, pulling hair out of his back, and spraying...obviously because he is dominant) and she had him neutered, which helped with the spraying, but he's still pretty mean. I would totally neuter if any of those behaviors applied to our sweet Henry.

If it was a female, I'd absolutely tell you to spay. But I'm a lot less categorical with males. Testicules cancer is quite rare and the risks with keeping a male intact don't compare with those of an intact female. Honestly if he doesn't have any problematic behavior (knowing that they can happen anytime), I probably wouldn't neuter. I had the same dilemma with my dog (male, not in contact with other dogs), discussed it with several vets, and decided not to do it - neutering is still an operation, so I don't make my animals go through something like this if I don't feel they really benefit from it in a way that clearly outweight the risks (even though a neuter is pretty safe).

You all are pretty much mirroring my thoughts. I don't like putting any animal through anything they don't have to go through, including Vaccines, but that's another story for later and some don't agree but that's ok.

He has never had an accident outside of his cage. I don't think he sprays but his urine does smell pretty nasty but I have been using more hay than usual in his litter box and it hold the smell pretty well.

AJ only has an "attitude" when it comes to feeding time. He gets very pushy and demanding but with learning he was not fed regularly in his last home despite the one who cares for him (13-15 year old) telling adult that he needed food it wasn't always bought till sometimes a week later or more, and he was fed the totally wrong diet. So I can understand the attitude about the food.

The reason I asked about the neutering is my mom has been pushing the issue. And I told her it's not like getting a cat or dog neutered. Pay 40 to 50 and done. I told her because of being considered an exotic it's gonna be more towards 200. "We'll find a way" she says. Sorry no go mom. If it turns out he NEEDS to be neutered for a current health problem then yes but other than that. NOPE

Thank you all. I was already opting for no but was not sure on the health aspect. And the lifespan that mom seems to think it will help with.