Rabbits are gregarious animals that make excellent pets. However, if your children are driving you insane with their requests for a rabbit, you must first learn the costs of owning one. Unfortunately, people frequently overlook the recurring costs of having a pet, especially one that may live for around ten years (or more!). That said, how much does it cost to own a rabbit?
You can expect to pay between $60 and $85 per month for one rabbit for bare essentials. It includes bedding, fresh vegetables, hay and pellets, treats, and toys. However, a few details may influence the costs, such as healthcare, bulk buying, purchasing a hutch, and what treats and toys you buy.
In the right conditions, house or indoor rabbits may be kept as singles; nevertheless, outdoor rabbits must be raised in pairs to preserve regular companionship and avoid emotional suffering. And with that, you can expect the prices to be around doubled, even though they would still share hutches, bowls, and bottles. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the costs involved.
Contents
What Is The Cost Of Buying A Rabbit?
The cost of buying a rabbit will ultimately depend on where you get your pet rabbit and what breed you prefer. For example, a breed like a Flemish Giant or Jersey Wooly (no-kick) from a breeder will cost more than a “typical” breed or mix you’d buy from a pet store or rescue center.
Furthermore, a rabbit from a pet shop should cost between $20 and $40, whereas a rabbit from a rescue, fair, or 4-H club should cost between $5 and $20. The price that different breeders charge for a particular breed of rabbit varies.
While some with uncommon breeds would price closer to $100 for a rabbit, some are less expensive than pet stores. However, as with purebred dogs and cats with champion genetics, showing and breeding rabbits with champion bloodlines will undoubtedly cost more.
What Are The Costs Of Buying A Cage Or Hutch?
You’ll need a rabbit hutch if you intend to keep your rabbit outside. Likewise, you’ll need a good-sized cage if you intend to keep them inside. Although many individuals also create their own hutches, hutches often cost more than cages.
Four-legged enclosures called hutches let droppings fall to the ground. A 3-foot wide hutch costs around $100, while a 4-foot wide one costs between $110 and $200; If you don’t create your own strong hutch, budget $150 to $200 for one.
House rabbits need bedding for a secure enclosed hiding place, which may mean an inexpensive $10 cage with a faux sheepskin rug in one corner. A litter box costs between $3 and $10, and a bag of litter (made of recycled paper pellets) costs around $9.
According to Rabbit.org, because bunnies are nosy and like to chew, a house has to be “bunny-proofed” by putting electrical wires out of reach and out of sight.
Although indoor cage designs vary considerably, you should budget $35 to $120 for a quality rabbit cage. Cages are priced from approximately $35 for a modest 25x16x9-inch cage and up to about $120 for a 42-inch one with wheels. In addition, cages include detachable trays for litter cleaning.
According to OneKindPlanet.org, cages should be tall enough for rabbits to stand on their hind legs and long enough to extend three lengths.
Basic rule: the more time spent in the cage, the larger the cage should be.
You can get away with a somewhat smaller cage and let your rabbit stretch out and run around in the safe area if you can provide a room that has been rabbit-proofed for it.
What Are The Costs Of Rabbit Supplies?
Your rabbit will need continuing supplies in addition to the initial costs of a rabbit and a hutch or cage. Purchasing and replenishing chew toys, food, and bedding will be necessary. I would budget around $60 and $85 monthly for one rabbit’s needs, including bedding, hay, pellets, fresh produce, treats, and toys.
To get a rough estimate of once-off supplies, you may need outside the costs of buying a rabbit and a hutch or a cage, the following are some ballpark figures:
- Bowls: $10
- Litter Box: $10
- Nail clippers: $25
- Chew toys: $20
- Cord protectors: $35
Total of initial supplies: $100
Now that we got an idea of the costs of some of the essential once-off supplies, the following are some ongoing monthly costs that you may need to budget for:
- Litter: $18 per month
- Hay: $20 per month (may be purchased for less, >$5 per month from a nearby farmer).
- Vegetables or greens: $40 per month
- Pellets: $5 per month
- Pet-friendly cleaning products: $2 per month
Total of ongoing monthly supplies: $85
However, this figure can drastically vary based on how much bedding and hay you buy in bulk, whether you provide your animals with organic, conventional, or homegrown greens, as well as the kinds of toys and treats you buy or create.
Healthcare For Your Rabbit Is A Must
The first cost of veterinary care for neutering or spaying your rabbit is from $125 to $250. You should have a routine annual exam with your exotics vet (find an exotics vet near you) following that significant investment (which is well worth it to prevent future health concerns and behavioral difficulties).
Regular checkups typically cost $35 to $65, depending on the veterinarian. Owners who are worried about emergency bills and significant diseases like ileus, teeth difficulties, or other health concerns as their rabbit ages can get pet insurance for their rabbits through Nationwide Pet Insurance (no other business currently offers policies for exotics in all 50 states).
Not all rabbits will experience problems, but there is a good chance that a problem will arise at least once over the quite lengthy lifespan of your rabbit.
The cost of treating a sick rabbit will vary widely depending on the veterinarian and the nature of the illness. Still, it is typical to spend a few hundred dollars on the most common problem affecting rabbits, ileus.
Expect Various Incidental Costs
If your home isn’t rabbit-proofed, you may need to spend money on repairs due to your rabbit chewing on your carpet, shoes, furniture, wires, and other household items.
You may also need to pay for boarding or care for your rabbit while you are away and grooming costs for nail and tooth care, fur care, and potential grooming costs.
Taking care of a pet rabbit may have cost more than you anticipated, but having a contented, healthy bunny is well worth it. As with any pet, be ready and have a plan for unforeseen medical issues and how long you’ll be caring for your rabbit.
Conclusion
A rabbit may make an excellent companion. But successful pet parenting is providing a secure and contented environment for your furry child, and part of that involves learning how much a pet rabbit costs.
You’re going down the right rabbit hole if you can handle the financial commitment and take action to put provisions in place.
