When pet owners notice bloodstains near their female rabbit’s genital area, they naturally conclude that the bunny has her menstrual period. But do rabbits have periods like humans? Or do the bloodstains indicate something more serious?
This article offers straightforward answers to these questions. It also provides interesting information about rabbit pregnancy and spaying.
Do The Female Rabbits Have A Monthly Period?
Female rabbits (does) do not have menstrual cycles. So, they do not have a monthly period. Instead, they have induced ovulation which means they only release an egg in response to the presence of a suitable mate (buck) and during, or shortly before, mating. Induced ovulation is unlike other types of ovulation, such as humans go through, which occurs in a cyclical pattern.
So, a doe can ovulate and conceive as soon as she gives birth. To avoid unwanted pregnancy, male rabbits are isolated from female rabbits when the time approaches to give birth to her litter of bunnies.
Because induced ovulation does not cause bleeding in any way, you shouldn’t expect to observe any from a female rabbit during this stage.
Given this, why might you see blood around your doe’s reproductive organs or in her urine?
Red or bloody urine – which is it?
Indeed, It’s not pleasant to see blood on your rabbits. However, in rabbits, bloody urine is uncommon. More so, blood in the pee is ordinarily hard to detect with the naked eye. To be sure, you should get the rabbit pee tested by a veterinarian. The following are common causes of blood in the urine (haematuria).
- Stones or sludge in the urinary tract
- Cystitis
- Uterine cancer
- Polyps
- Abortion
These conditions require prompt veterinarian attention since they are uncomfortable for the rabbit and can be life-threatening if not treated.
While bloody urine in rabbits is usually uncommon, red urine is not. Owners who closely monitor what is in their rabbit’s litter box are familiar with the color variations that regular rabbit pee can have. For example, a Rabbit’s urine can range in color from pale yellow or clear to various shades of orange and brown, all the way to a deep red.
Thus, red urine isn’t a medical issue, and it usually goes away in a few days. Quite often, rabbit owners mistake urine with rich red color for bloody urine. The following conditions can make your rabbit urine red:
- Drugs, e.g., antibiotics
- Diet, e.g., fir leaves, vegetables containing beta carotene
- Weather, e.g., cold in autumn
If your rabbit looks to be in good health, eating and drinking normally, energetic and bright, and generating plenty of normal droppings, don’t be alarmed if the color of her pee changes to red or pink. Keep an eye on things and have your veterinarian analyze the rabbit’s urine for blood. If your rabbit appears to be unwell in any manner, see your veterinarian as soon as possible. Don’t assume your rabbits have periods.
How Long Does The Estrous Cycle Last In Rabbits?
Estrous refers to a female animal that is ovulating or in heat. On the other hand, rabbits don’t have a definite estrous cycle. Female rabbits that are sexually mature are estrous and ready to mate all of the time. They ovulate after being mounted by a male rather than through a hormonal cycle like humans. At any time, the female can get pregnant.
Still, female rabbits have a mating receptivity cycle (or heat sequence) in which they are receptive to mating. The cycle lasts around 12 days, four of which are infertile. Therefore, Does is more sexually active at this time.
At roughly four months of age, most female rabbits go through their first heat cycle. Rabbits mature sexually quickly. Depending on the breed, the speed with which this occurs varies from pet to pet. Medium to large-breed rabbits reaches sexual maturity at 4 to 4.5 months, giant breeds at 6 to 9 months, and small breeds at 3.5 to 4 months.
The rabbit heat cycle is, in principle, endless. Once a rabbit is in the heat for the first time, it enters a never-ending cycle. Rabbits do not go through menopause. So, until your pet gets spayed or dies, she will be in a heat loop.
While female rabbits are in heat, they will not bleed. But, if they do, it’s a sign that something isn’t quite right and not that rabbits have periods.
Signs Of A Rabbit In Heat
If your doe is in heat, she will change physically and emotionally. Some changes will be evident, while others will be more subtle. All the same, beneficial to be aware of the warning indications. The following are symptoms that a rabbit is in the heat:
Territoriality
When your pet bunny is in heat, she will jealously guard her space. If you try to clean her enclosure, she will become unusually hostile.
Marking
A female rabbit will begin marking her territory with urine regularly. This is so she can get a buck’s attention. She’s making her presence known and declaring herself available for mating.
Seeking out Stimulation
The doe may continue to attempt to mount various objects. She may even mount another female rabbit or invite other rabbits. Male rabbits exhibit this tendency more than female rabbits, though.
Restlessness
When in heat, a female rabbit may be unable to rest or sleep. She may even refuse to have a meal or drink in severe circumstances because she is preoccupied.
Engorged Vulva
The vulva of your pet will enlarge and become noticeable. It will be dark red or brown.
What Are Signs That A Rabbit is Pregnant?
Whether you purposefully mated your rabbit or it happened by chance, knowing if your rabbit is pregnant allows you to make the appropriate preparations. The following are some of the signals to look out for:
Mood swings
In rabbits, the earliest signs of pregnancy usually appear around day ten. After that, your rabbit may become irritable or aggressive. When your pet, who was once affectionate, sees you approaching, she may escape to the back of the cage. If you open the door to her pen, she may snarl a little.
You can feel the babies
When you palpate or touch the rabbit’s belly with your hands, the fetus will feel like little lumps or grapes. It is one of the most dependable means to determine if your rabbit is pregnant early on. At 10-14 days after conception, you should be able to feel baby bunnies in the doe’s belly.
It takes time to learn how to palpate your rabbit effectively and safely for her and her unborn kits. However, it’s straightforward once you figure it out.
Changes in Eating Patterns
A pregnant bunny will begin to eat more, so if you observe your doe spending more time at the hay rack or pellet dish, she’s probably pregnant
You should maintain a balanced diet throughout pregnancy, focusing on high-quality hay and a limited amount of high-quality pellets. While rabbits should have full access to hay at all times, it is crucial during pregnancy.
Sleeping on the side
A bunny’s usual sleeping position is on its stomach, with its legs tucked beneath its body, mimicking a loaf of bread. When your bunny is pregnant, though, resting on their stomach can be painful, so they prefer to sleep on their side.
Nesting and fur pulling
When you see your bunny pulling its fur to make a nest, it is an indication that birthing is imminent.
This last pregnancy sign typically starts around day 28 or three days before the due date. After that, your rabbit will be full of a hormone that prepares her for childbirth. Fortunately, the hormone causes her to not only rip off her fur but also loosen the hair on her belly and haunches. In addition, the hormone makes it simple for her to remove a large amount of fur to create a snug and cozy nest for her kits.
The rabbit may shove hay into a corner and, in most cases, will draw her fur into the nest with her teeth. This creates a soft bed for the kits and fills the nest with her scent, which is soothing to them.
At What Age Should a Rabbit Be Spayed?
Spaying is a surgical operation that involves removing a female animal’s ovaries and uterus to sterilize or render it infertile. So, spaying is major surgery.
The vet can spay a female rabbit as soon as she reaches sexual maturity, generally around four months. But many veterinarians choose to wait until does are six months old because an operation on a younger rabbit is riskier.
Because of the amount of fat surrounding the uterus and its blood supply, spaying a rabbit over nine months old can be more challenging. Therefore it’s better not to wait too long.
Although veterinarians have varying opinions about this, anesthetics and surgery become riskier after a rabbit reaches the age of six. As such, you should not spay a rabbit after that age. However, this does not rule out the possibility.
A thorough health check, including complete blood testing, should always be performed on a rabbit above two years old. The health check may be more costly than surgery. Still, it will aid in detecting any conditions that could make the procedure more dangerous.
Conclusion
So, do rabbits have periods because they sometimes pass urine with red color? As shown in this article, the clear answer is no. Thus instead of panicking, rabbit owners can help their pets get necessary attention if there is an underlying sickness.
Also, if you are not keeping your rabbits for breeding, it is best to spay them at the right time. Consequently, you will avoid an unwanted litter.