You may think sexing a rabbit is easy, but don’t be fooled - it’s harder than you think! Do you know how to tell the sex of a rabbit? Are you a first-time bunny parent choosing a new rabbit, or do you have a new litter of rabbits and need to know the sex of all the little ones?

Knowing how easily rabbits can breed, it’s important to be able to separate the boys from the girls fairly early on. We’ve attempted to answer all your questions on how to sex a rabbit right here for you, but you may still need to ask your local veterinary practice for some help!

How Should I Handle My Rabbit for Sexing?

So, how can you sex a rabbit? Well, firstly, always be careful when handling your rabbit. To be able to sex your bunny, you need to be able to handle them safely to avoid injury to them and you. Choose a quiet area to make the experience as stress-free as possible. Ideally, sit on the floor with your rabbit or place them on a table with a non-slip surface.

If your rabbit isn’t used to being handled or doesn’t like being handled much, it could be stressful for them. If they do try to struggle while you’re holding them, let them go and try again another day. They should hopefully get used to it with practice.

Carefully lift your rabbit by putting one hand under their bum and the other hand under their chest. Turn them around so you’re holding them against your body with their chest towards you.

How to Avoid Trancing Your Rabbit

Never hold your rabbit on their back to sex them. This is sometimes called ‘trancing’ a rabbit.

Tonic immobility, also known as trancing, occurs when a rabbit is placed on its back and freezes. Although this was considered a safe way to restrain a rabbit once upon a time, studies now show that it’s actually really stressful for a prey animal to be held this way.

Ideally, ask someone to help you so that you have a second pair of hands, one to hold your rabbit and one to sex them.

How Do You Sex a Rabbit?

Sexing a rabbit can be pretty difficult if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for! This is because the male and female rabbits’ external sex organs actually look very similar.

Sexing young rabbits is particularly tricky, especially baby bunnies less than 6 weeks of age. It’s better to wait until they’re around 8-10 weeks old to accurately tell the difference between a male rabbit and a female rabbit.

Sexing Male Rabbits

When sexing rabbits, do not rely on males (bucks) to have obvious testicles. Bucks under 10 weeks old may not have descended testicles, and all males can draw them back into the abdomen, so they may not be obvious.

To view the genitals more clearly, part the fur around them. Apply gentle but firm pressure to the top of the genitals (above the anus). In male rabbits, the penis will protrude and have a rounded entrance.

Sexing Female Rabbits

If the rabbit is female, instead of a penis with a rounded opening, you’ll see the vulva, which has a vertical slit opening. The vulva of a female rabbit is pointier than the penis of a male rabbit.

Please don’t despair if you’ve tried sexing your rabbit but are still unsure of the sex. It’s not an easy task, and your local vet or vet nurse will be on hand to help you out.

Speak To Your Vet About Sexing and Neutering Your Rabbits

Sexing bunnies is not easy! To avoid having far more rabbits than you intended, it’s best to get your local veterinary practice to help you out if you’re unsure of the sex.

If you do have boys and girls, then ask your vet about neutering to avoid unwanted pregnancies. There are other benefits to rabbit neutering, including reduced aggression, improved temperament, and a reduced risk of certain types of cancer. So it’s worth discussing regardless of the sex of your bunnies.

Everypaw Rabbit Insurance

Here at Everypaw, we want to help you keep your bunny healthy and in tip top shape. So, when it comes to your rabbit’s care, Everypaw’s Rabbit Insurance could be just the cover to look after your little thumper.

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