How Much Does Rabbit Care Cost?

Rabbits come in many different breeds and are one of the most popular small pets to own. However, before adding a rabbit to your family, there are some essential costs that you need to consider first. Rabbits are not low-maintenance pets, and they require special care and consideration to ensure that they live long, happy, and healthy lives.

Click Here For a Beginners Guide to Rabbit Care.

The Upfront Costs of Owning a Rabbit

If you're bringing home a rabbit from a shelter, this cost is usually low, between $5 to $20, and if you decide to buy a rabbit from a pet store, the average cost will be about $40. However, special breeds and show rabbits can go for more than $100. When purchasing your rabbit, the shelter or store should inform you whether or not they have been spayed or neutered. If your rabbit hasn't, you can expect to pay between $125 to $250 for the procedure. While you may not think this is necessary, spaying and neutering are important as they can reduce behavioral problems and some health issues later in life.

It should be noted that adopting a rabbit from a shelter can be more beneficial than buying one from a pet store, as not only is the cost lower, but you can help reduce overpopulation in shelters and potential euthanasia. Some shelters will actually provide spaying and neutering free of charge also, which can help keep initial costs low.

Hutches, Cages, and Play Areas

When deciding to bring a rabbit home, another cost to consider is what they will live in. If you are planning on keeping your rabbit primarily outdoors, you will need to invest in a hutch which can cost around $200. For indoor rabbits, a cage or playpen can be used, which can cost between $50 and $100, depending on the size. Both hutches and indoor cages should be lined with bedding. Stay away from clay cat litters as these can cause respiratory issues in rabbits. The average cost of bedding will be roughly $40 per month, as it will need to be changed regularly, and larger cages will need more bedding.

Along with this, you will also need to provide a water bottle or bowl, a food bowl, and a hay rack. Bowls and bottles are relatively inexpensive -- around $5 to $10 -- and a hay feeder can cost between $20 to $30.

Healthy Food

Once you have your rabbit set up in a cage, hutch, or play area, the largest ongoing expense will be their food. A rabbit requires 80% of their diet be grass hay and there are a variety of different types available. Although many pet stores carry hay, you can also order farm-fresh hay right to your door from Rabbit Hole Hay. We have 7 different types of hay along with Alfalfa or Timothy cubes and pellets which rabbits love to nibble on.

In addition to hay, you can also add to your rabbit's diet with a variety of vegetables, and even some fruit in moderation. Depending on the quality of hay, pellets, and veggies that you choose to feed your rabbit, the cost of food every month can vary, although for most rabbits it should be around $40 to $50 each month.

Vet Visits

Just like cats, dogs, and birds, rabbits need regular vet visits as well, and these are not something that you'll want to forgo if you want to keep your small pet happy and healthy. While the most expensive thing that you may have to consider is spaying and neutering, once that is done your rabbit will only need a yearly checkup so long as no health issues are found.

However, rabbits can be considered exotic pets, and this means that not every vet will have experience treating them. Make sure to contact local veterinary offices to find out which ones offer services for rabbits. You may even want to do this before adopting your new bunny just to make sure services are available near you.

Additionally, you may want to consider starting a small savings account for vet bills, just in case something happens in the future. If possible, try to set aside at least $1000 in case emergency services are needed or in the event that your rabbit develops health issues later in life.

Consider These Costs Beforehand

Although rabbits are one of the most popular small pets, they do have some costs that everyone should consider before adopting one. You don't want to bring a rabbit home only to realize that it costs too much, or risk not giving it the care that it needs, resulting in needing to surrender it to a shelter. Remember that these costs are just a basic estimate and can vary depending on the places you go or shop. With that in mind, consider all of these costs carefully so that when you do bring your new rabbit home, you are as prepared as possible to keep your bunny happy and healthy.