If you’re looking for an accurate estimate of how much do rabbits cost. Then, you’ve come to the right place. This article has everything related to rabbits and bunnies. The cost of buying, neutering, medical treatments, and other important costs.
You can’t go wrong with these numbers. Once you have them all at your disposal, you can finally make your decision about buying a rabbit.
Rabbits are adorable like bunnies. But despite their small size, there’s a lot you need to consider. Having said that, there are different breeds of rabbits to buy. And the breed of rabbit you choose will also determine its cost.
7 Reasons Why Rabbits Make Great Pets
Table of Contents
How Much Do Rabbits Cost?
Rabbits are unique animals but they are also prey animals. This means that you have to organize your house in such a way that it can accommodate a rabbit. Proper supervision and bunny-proofing. Both steps are necessary.
You will need a proper crate with high walls, a litter that you can change regularly, and chewable toys.
So without any further delay, let’s look at the different options out there.
The first step is to buy a rabbit. If you go to any pet store or shelter, the cost of a ‘normal’ rabbit breed is $20-$40 in a pet store. And even less, around $5 to $10 in a rescue shelter.
If what you’re looking for is a rare breed, expect the costs to go up to $100. In a rescue shelter or pet fair, it’s harder to find rare rabbit breeds. The most common domestic rabbits everywhere are Dwarf Bunnies, Flemish Giant Rabbits, and Lionheads.
Here’s a cost evaluation of all of them.
How Much Do Dwarf Bunnies Cost?
Dwarf bunnies are quiet and calm creatures. They make great family pets with children around. Despite their small size, they are quite communicative. So they will display various behaviors, both positive or negative, when excited, happy, or agitated.
First-time pet owners often buy a dwarf bunny for its compact, convenient size. It’s the tiniest of all rabbits. So it’s easier to carry them around, feed them, and take care of them.
The cost of buying a dwarf bunny is around $20 or so were you to go to a pet store. In a rescue shelter, expect the cost to be less than $10 or so.
If you’re buying a dwarf bunny from a reliable and professional breeder. That’s when the prices of buying a rabbit go way up. That is, from $100 – $200 per rabbit. This also depends on the area you decide to purchase the rabbit from. If you want a particular color, pattern, and markings.
Having said that, paying extra for a special rabbit from a breeder can cause many problems. But I will get into that later on.
How Much Does A Flemish Giant Rabbit Cost?
As the name suggests, a flemish giant rabbit is large in size. These rabbits are usually bought by committed pet owners. First-time pet parents hardly ever opt for a flemish giant rabbit. And yet, this rabbit breed is one of the most popular breeds in the world. And they are the largest breed in their species.
Flemish giant rabbits are sociable and excited pets. You can potty train them with the help of a litter box. They are easy and fun to have around the house. And because of their large size, they are companionable with other pets like dogs or cats.
Such rabbits are large and cuddly enough to climb on your lap and sleep for hours! So they’re cute, adorable, and very human-friendly.
In terms of cost, the range starts from $30 up to $300 at a pet store or breeder. It’s difficult to find a flemish giant rabbit in a pet rescue center or fair. But just in case you do, they will cost $30 to $50 per rabbit.
How Much Do Lionhead Rabbits Cost?
Lionhead rabbits are compact but not as small as Dwarf bunnies. They are friendly, playful, and popular pets to have around the house. Even though they are small in size, they aren’t so popular with first-time pet parents.
The reason for this is that Lionhead rabbits are intelligent creatures. And they do exhibit anger or frustration when provoked or ill-treated. It’s very important to maintain a stress-free and positive environment for a Lionhead rabbit.
They get frightened very quickly. They need proper training and care. And most of all, they are an active breed so they require constant mental and physical stimulation.
The cost of buying a Lionhead rabbit is slightly higher than a Dwarf Bunny. About $20 to $125 from a pet store. And slightly less than that from a pet rescue center or pet fair.
How Much Does It Cost to Care for A Rabbit?
Since you now know the cost of owning a rabbit and different breeds. The next question is the cost of keeping a rabbit. This includes the costs of what comes after you buy a rabbit. You need to buy a cage and chew toys for your rabbit. Go to the vet for a proper and thorough medical check-up. And make sure you buy the proper rabbit food for them to eat right away.
So let’s start with the necessities first.
#1. Housing
It’s not enough that your rabbit is staying in your house. You need a separate cage or hutch for your rabbit to sleep in. A rabbit’s manner of lifestyle is not the same as a dog’s or a cat’s. You can’t expect your rabbit to sleep with you on your bed. Or even on the sofa in the living room.
If you’re planning on keeping the rabbit indoors, you need a cage. And if you have created an outdoor space for your rabbit, in your backyard or patio, you need a hutch.
A good, sturdy, and reliable cage cost approximately $50 to $100. You can buy one ready-made or make a customized one by a professional. Unless you want something colossal and functional, it shouldn’t cost you a lot.
For an outdoor hutch, the cost is slightly higher than the cages. A hutch, either ready-made or customized, will cost you $150 to $300 or higher. This depends on the size and style of the hutch you’re looking for.
It’s very important to buy a rabbit-proof cage or hutch. Just any pet cage won’t do. Rabbits love to stretch out and rest in their caves. Keeping the cage/hutch accommodating and comfortable is essential.
#2. Medical Expenses
It’s like bringing home a newborn baby at home from the hospital. You want to make sure your baby is healthy and not at all stressed out. Moving to a new home, for your rabbit, is a stressful process.
So to make sure you’re bringing home a healthy and happy rabbit, a medical check-up is necessary. Taking the rabbit to a reliable vet for blood tests, behavior patterns, and grooming needs is important.
Also to make sure that your rabbit doesn’t have any underlying disease or infection. And the initial cost of getting your rabbit’s medical tests or check-up done is around $125 to $200.
This covers all the standard tests a vet will do to make sure your rabbit is healthy. Having said that, you will also have to pay for some vaccinations to prevent future diseases or infections. Generally, the ‘per-visit’ cost is nothing more than $20 to $50. So the above-mentioned cost covers it too.
But wait- aren’t you forgetting something? What could that be?
#3. How Much Does It Cost to Spay/Neuter A Rabbit?
The difference between spaying and neutering a rabbit depends on gender. If it’s a female rabbit, then it’s called spaying. And if it’s a male rabbit, it’s called neutering. Both terms refer to ‘fixing’ your rabbit so that they do not reproduce.
It’s a completely harmless and professional medical procedure. The ideal age of ‘fixing’ your rabbit is after 6 months of age. So vets will advise you to wait for at least 4-6 months before you get your rabbit fixed.
Spaying a female rabbit is a more complicated procedure than neutering a male rabbit. And that is why the cost of both differs slightly. There should be about a 10 to 20 percent difference in cost between both. The latter being more expensive than the former.
The cost of fixing your rabbit depends on a few factors. Such as the location of surgery, pre-, and post-op care. It also depends on the health condition of your rabbit. If she or he needs more pain medication after surgery or a full blood panel test before surgery.
Taking everything into consideration, you can pay at little as $100 for fixing your rabbit. Or you can also pay as much as $500 for fixing your rabbit.
#4. Food
What does a rabbit eat?
Rabbits eat a lot more than just carrots and lettuce. You need to feed them a balanced and healthy diet. This includes fresh veggies, fruits, and pellets. The pellets help them digest food quicker and easier. So they don’t experience any digestive distress.
Also, pellets are a great way of introducing rabbits to new kinds of foods. Such as new vegetables and fruits.
Food is an ongoing cost of rabbits. You need to invest in high-quality hay, pellets, and vegetables. Hay contains fiber which makes up at least 80% of the rabbit’s diet. And unlike pellets and vegetables, rabbits need an unlimited supply of hay.
Make sure you buy store-bought hay without any must, dirt, or stones. This is processed hay for rabbits to eat on a daily basis. An average 10-pound package of hay costs around $20. You can opt for timothy grass or alfalfa.
Next up is pellets. Corn-free, high-fiber pellets cost around $15-$20 per 10 pounds. It comes with additional vitamins and minerals to improve overall well-being. Having said that, a rabbit eats not more than a quarter cup of pellets daily.
So based on that calculation, you will not have to buy pellets as much as hay.
Vegetables are a part of your diet as much as a rabbit’s. You can feed a rabbit with a variety of vegetables daily. Such as cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, okra leaves, lettuce, sprouts, and fennel. Just add one vegetable at a time, for each serving.
There are some vegetables that you feed your rabbit as treats. Maybe once or twice per week. Such as broccoli, spinach, kale, collard greens, and chard.
The vegetables your rabbit shouldn’t eat are corn, beans, potatoes, seeds, and nuts. They will cause digestive distress.
#5. Chew Toys
You must provide chewing options for your bunny. It keeps them occupied, happy, and calm. And it also means your furniture or carpet will be less targetted. Buying standard chew toys for your rabbit is inexpensive.
Wooden chew toys or pet balls cost $5 to $15. You can even buy your bunny a chewable bed mat to play and chew on. Rabbits love treats they can gnaw at. So buying special gnawing treats won’t cost you a fortune.
The overall cost of purchase a handful of chew toys for your rabbit is less than $30 – $50 or so. You don’t want to overcrowd the cage or hutch with chew toys. Make sure there are enough to keep your rabbit happy and stimulated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are there any less expensive ways of getting my rabbit fixed?
You can always look for a rural vet or an animal shelter to reduce costs. If spaying or neutering your rabbit seems like a high expense that you are unable to afford. Then these are your only reliable options.
A simple phone call to any rural veterinarian will give you a better idea. You don’t want to trust just any number and address you come across in your phone book. Investigate and research the prices, procedures, and post-op care of the clinic.
My advice to you would be to ask around and get a sense of what you’re getting into. If you can find someone who already has one or a few bunnies. It’s a huge advantage to avoid getting fooled or hurting your rabbit.
There are many rural vets who love animals and perform such surgeries for a lower cost. Say you find one that’s a few hours away from where you currently stay. Don’t you think it’s feasible to drive a long distance just to save a few hundred dollars?
Animal shelters also offer low costs in getting rabbits spayed or neutered. Such organizations are often enthusiastic about and committed to preventing reproduction. They want to control the population of furry babies as much as they can.
So inquiring about local animal shelters, you can get a significant discount for fixing your rabbit.
2. Do I need to bunny-proof my house before getting a rabbit?
If you a lot of furniture, you might need to bunny-proof your apartment. This is an initial expense and might cost you a bit extra if you have lots of work to do.
Here’s a basic layout of what needs to be done to bunny-proof an apartment.
# Floors
The first thing to look at is your flooring. Rabbits are serious diggers. They will dig any ground surface. So if you have thick carpets, they will be ruined.
Although with some carpets, the older they get, the better they look. So if you’re okay with your carpet looking a little ragged, then you won’t need to remove them out of your home.
There is one small complication though. With flooring and carpets, a rabbit may eat what he or she digs. This means the threads of the carpet. It can cause vomiting, indigestion, and other problems.
The safest option is to have marble, laminate, or linoleum tiles. They are easier to maintain, clean, and dig-free. If your rabbit happens to pee on your carpet, the odor will stay for weeks. But with tiles, you do not have to worry about odor or stains.
# Doors
A kick plate is necessary if you have wooden doors. Because a rabbit will chew down on the bottom half of the door to protect themselves. A kick plate will prevent this from happening. Even a door stop shouldn’t be left alone. Use a door handle guard instead to avoid having it get ruined by your rabbit.
# Electric cords/outlets
If there are any hanging electrical cords, it could be dangerous for a rabbit to chew on them. The best thing would be to keep all the wires out of reach. You can consult with an electrician to come up with a convenient and safe layout.
Install flex tubing all over the house, PVC pipes, or plastic cord protectors. For electrical outlets, buy baby outlet protectors to make sure they are not exposed.
# Furniture
You can save plenty of money in the long run if you protect your furniture right now. Especially things like sofas and furniture legs. You can either purchase furniture protectors to cover the bottom half of everything. Or get a bit more creative and use flex tubing to install on furniture legs.
Plastic furniture protectors, bed leg risers, and inverted pots. All these can improve the condition of your home with a rabbit. And save your furniture from spoiling beyond repair. This is where the advantages of buying chew toys come in.
3. Do rabbits get sick very often?
It’s always important to know what you’re getting into. As with rabbits, understanding their health and common illnesses is a priority. This can affect the cost of keeping a rabbit drastically.
Here are some common symptoms of a sick rabbit.
Lethargy, loss of appetite, aggression, teeth grinding, shivers, diarrhea, or constipation.
If your rabbit is showing any one or a few of these symptoms. It’s time to take your rabbit to a reliable vet. There can be plenty of reasons why something like this happens.
In fact, it may also be due to insufficient nutrition and lack of grooming. Make sure your rabbit is well-fed, well-groomed, and well-maintained. Rabbits tend to fall sick when kept in unclean and messy cages.
They require a positive and stress-free space to live in. Make sure they have access to clean, fresh water every 2-3 hours. Do not make your rabbit sleep or rest or live in extreme temperatures. Check for any lumps, rashes, or discharge.
As a pet parent, these are the things you will need to keep in mind. You’ll not only save costs in terms of medical expenses. But the most important thing – your rabbit will be both healthy and happy.
Make time for your pet to bond with them. Simple acts can make a huge difference. You can brush them every day to maintain a soft coat. Plus, it’s like a massage for him! Make physical contact like snuggling or scratching their ears when they are around you. Introduce safe and tasty snacks to keep them excited.
The more you understand your pet, the happier they will be. For example, rabbits hate when you approach them from the front. They get anxious and feel frightened.
15 Things Rabbits Hate About Humans!
Final Thoughts – How Much Do Rabbits Cost!!!
This article covers all the important costs of owning and keeping a bunny. The initial costs, incidental costs, and on-going costs. Whether you are adopting or purchasing a bunny rabbit, this is your estimate.
- Initial costs: around $200 – $300 for a cage, hutch, mats, feeder, bowl, etc.
- On-going costs: between $80 – $200 for litter, food, pellets, hay, and grooming.
- Incidental costs: $100 – $500 for spaying, vet bills, bunny-proofing, etc.
What do you make of this estimate? How Much Do Rabbits Cost!!
The price varies a bit depending upon the type of breed you buy. Large bunnies cost more and need more food and on-going costs. Meanwhile, the incidental costs for all kinds of bunnies are almost the same.
Do You Want to Know More Tips and Trick on TopTipsForHer?