What Does it Cost to Buy a Rabbit? (2023 Price Guide)

This information is up-to-date and current in line with the most recent veterinarian research.

Pet rabbits are growing in popularity. But caring for a rabbit is a different experience than taking care of a cat or dog. They require extra care and can be expensive.

You must be able to afford the care and maintenance of your new pet. Rabbits are more costly than you might think. You will need to provide an enclosure and other equipment.

This article will help to plan the costs of owning a rabbit. You should make sure you have enough money saved up before adopting your bunny.

The one-time cost of bringing a new rabbit home

You will spend money on your bunny and its care when you bring it home. You will need to purchase an enclosure, food bowls, and other items for your new pet. They will be different depending on the product you choose, but they will likely all be significant.

Here are some short-term costs to be aware of when you bring your rabbit home.

No cost

Sometimes you can find rabbits free of charge. These rabbits come from owners who didn’t spay or neuter their pets and had unplanned pregnancies.

You can adopt a rabbit for free and provide shelter and care to an animal in need. It is important to take the time to inspect the living conditions and diet of the parent rabbits. You can offer friendly suggestions if you are able to help improve the rabbits’ lives. If they don’t want to breed their rabbits, you can suggest that they desex or at the very least separate males and females.

Adoption

• $50 – $100

You may also find rabbits at animal shelters. These rabbits are usually surrendered by their owners because they can no longer care for them. Most stray rabbits don’t exist. A shelter will not usually take stray rabbits if they escape.

These rabbits may be older and have preexisting medical conditions. They are usually a little more expensive than buying a rabbit from a breeder.

Breeder

• $50-$100

The price of a rabbit purchased from a breeder can vary quite a lot. The average price for common rabbit breeds is $50 to $50. Rare breeds of rabbits can cost up to $100.

Rabbits are usually less expensive than other animals because they breed so quickly. Rabbits can have several litters, while dogs usually only breed once a year. Because there are so many rabbits, they are usually more affordable than other animals.

It is possible to pay more for show rabbits or champion lines. They are usually only a few hundred dollars.

American Rabbit	$20 – $50
Dutch Rabbit	$20 – $40
Flemish Giant Rabbit	$50 – $100
Harlequin Rabbit	$50 – $100

Stock

After you bring your furry friend home, it’s not enough to ask how much a bunny costs.

It is very important to choose the right enclosure for your rabbit. The bottom of these enclosures is controversial. The wire bottom cages are more sanitary because the rabbit’s biological waste is drained out. They are easy to clean and keep rabbits away from long-term contact with their waste. Some wire bottom cages can cause blisters on rabbits’ feet. You can invest in thick, PVC-coated wire and provide alternative flooring for your rabbit within the cage. These enclosures will be more costly than those you might purchase for smaller animals but will save you time and help keep your rabbits happy.

A hutch that is large enough will be needed. You can usually expect to spend between $150 and $200. This means that the enclosure is likely to cost more than the rabbit.

The cost of indoor hutches is usually lower. You should expect to spend at most $100 on indoor hutches.

You can often save money building your own hutch. It is actually much simpler than you think. Many guides can be found online. You can find many guides online.

Also, you will need to buy enclosure items like a water bowl or hay rack. These items are usually very affordable. Both food and water bowls can be purchased for as low as $10

You may also want to think about other costs. You should also consider the bedding and chew toys. It’s likely that you’ll buy some items for your rabbit, but not all of them (such as an outdoor playpen). So plan on spending more than you think you will need.

Price List and List of Rabbit Care Products

Hatch:	$150-$200
Bowls:	$10
Hay Feeder:	$50-$75
Litter Box:	$10
Play Pen:	$70
Nail Clippers	$25
Chew Toys	$20

Annual Expenses

You can expect to spend some money each year on food and supplies, in addition to the initial cost of your rabbit. It is important to take into account health care and grooming. You will need to take care of your rabbits individually, depending on how long their hair is.

Health Care

As long as the rabbits are well cared for, they can be quite affordable in terms of health care. Poor care can lead to rabbits getting sick quickly or injuring themselves. Rabbits are sensitive and fragile animals that can easily get injured. A rabbit that is well cared for will usually stay healthy and not require any vet care.

Check-Ups

• $20-$50

Every year, your rabbit needs a checkup. This is especially important for your pet’s teeth and feet, as they are the most common cause of chronic health problems. A vet should inspect their feet as they can be easily hurt and need to be kept in top shape. You can also have their teeth shaved at this appointment.

Vaccinations

• There are currently no licensed vaccines for rabbits in the USA. There are also vaccinations available in other countries, such as Australia, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and the European Union. These vaccines protect against Myxomatosis (also known as Rabbit Viral Hemorrhagic Disease, or RVHD). These diseases can be fatal or acute. Although rare in the USA, cases are not common. However, if an outbreak occurs, the vaccine must be imported with permission from a state veterinarian. This could increase the cost. It is important to have some money aside for this purpose.

Dental

• $60 – $300

Rabbits’ teeth are constantly growing and need to be trimmed. You can prevent rabbits from having to trim their teeth by giving them enough hay. Rabbits’ teeth are worn down by constant chewing. Some rabbits may not have straight occlusions and need to be trimmed regularly. Although some pet groomers are able to trim the rabbit’s teeth with clippers, others will use a clipper. This method can cause the tooth to crack longitudinally, which could lead to bacteria-filled channels, increasing the chance of infection. You can use a Dremel to do it better. It is possible to have it done by many vets. They usually charge more than a groomer so it can quickly become expensive. They usually use files or electrical tools to trim the teeth. Preventive measures are the best, but regular trimming is necessary for rabbits with malocclusion.

Treatments for Parasites

• $50 – $200

Parasites can infect rabbits as with any other animal. In some cases, parasites can prove very costly to eradicate. In most cases, however, simple prescription medication might be enough to deal with the problem. The cost of treatment will be lower if there are any complications caused by parasites.

Emergencies

• Many thousands

Although we would love for our rabbits to never get sick, it is what they do. Emergencies can be costly. As most people don’t have the money to pay for emergency situations, it is better to have an emergency fund. Regular visits are more expensive than emergency vet consultations.

Treatment for ongoing conditions

• $500 – $800

Rabbits don’t have any chronic problems. It is possible. This can run up to $500 per year depending on your specific health condition. Rabbits suffering from multiple health conditions will have to pay twice that amount.

Insurance

• $240 – $500

Insuring a rabbit is expensive. There aren’t many options, so it is difficult to shop around. It is possible that you will be locked into a lower price because it is the only choice in your area. You can expect to pay $20 per month for a very basic plan.

Food

• $300 – $600

Food is another significant expense. Food is an ongoing expense. Rabbits require both hays as well as vegetables. The cost of both hay and vegetables will affect the price. You can choose from expensive or inexpensive vegetables. It will generally cost around $40 per month.

Rabbits are smaller than other animals so they don’t eat as much.

Environmental Maintenance

• $300 – $800

Also, you need to think about the environment in which your rabbit lives. You will need to provide them with bedding and litter. Because they chew quite a lot, you may have to fix their furniture. It all depends on the rabbit. Some rabbits are more destructive than others. Your supervision will also play a part in how much your rabbit chews on your chair legs.

Bedding:	$100+
Litter:	$150
Chew Toys	$50
Furniture Repair:	$0+

Entertainment

• $0 – $50

Entertaining rabbits doesn’t cost much. Their entertainment will be mainly from food. They are passionate about all kinds of vegetables and other exciting foods. This will be done from your regular food budget, not an entertainment budget.

It is possible to buy a few toys but they will likely not be expensive. This category may not be expensive.

The Annual Cost to Own a Rabbit

• $300 – $800

After all, costs have been accounted for, a rabbit will cost approximately $600 when adopted. This does not include any savings from an outbreak or medical emergency fund. Things will get significantly cheaper after the first month.

On average, you’ll spend $300-$800 per year. The cost of your rabbit’s medical care and the need for furniture repairs will determine how much you have to pay.

Regular veterinary care is also an important consideration. You should also have an emergency fund. You should also consider regular vet visits when planning your budget.

How to Own a Rabbit with a Budget

Although rabbits can be small pets, their costs can be high. You can’t afford to neglect their needs, such as grooming and teeth trimming. These items can be costly, so you should not skimp even if you are trying to keep your budget in check.

There are however some things that you can reduce costs. You can, for example, build your own hatch to reduce startup costs.

Rabbit Care: Save Money

You can save money by shopping for rabbit food deals. To save money, buy hay in bulk and pick vegetables on sale for the week. You can also find deals on toys, food bowls, and other similar items.

Prevention is the best option. However, if your rabbit has malocclusion and needs regular trimmings, it might be worth learning how to trim its rabbit teeth.

Conclusion

Ownership of a rabbit requires a significant initial investment as well as regular maintenance costs. There are many ways to save money on your rabbits. A proper cage can help to prevent pododermatitis. You can prevent most cases of tooth problems by giving your bunnies hay and vegetables to chew on. There will be some bunnies that are more expensive than others. Longer fur rabbits will require more grooming and may be more costly. Even if your bunny is low-maintenance, it’s important to take into account their basic costs as well as have savings for medical care. You should consider the more costly options so you are not surprised when your rabbit is less expensive. This article will help you remember that bunnies are just like other pets and require your attention, money, and time. You must prepare to pay month after month for rabbit ownership. But, the bunny cuddles are well worth it!