What do some realistic estimations of a pet rabbit cost? Certainly, there is more to it than just buying a bunny from the pet store. Find out more!
Rabbits can live upward of 10 years. They need the same level of commitment you’d give to your pet dog or cat. Furthermore, they have special diet needs. To be healthy and happy, they’ll need more than just your affection. Avoid falling down the rabbit hole. Learn everything about the cost before buying your first rabbit.
How Much Does it Cost to Own a Pet Rabbit?
Your bunny might come free as an Easter gift, but that’s not always the case. The three viable paths to get your bunny:
● Local pet store
● Local adoption and rescue center
● Licensed breeder
More on local pet stores and adoption centers later. Furthermore, expect to pay for food, shelter, and vets.
3 Major Expenses That Influence Your Rabbit Cost
With that said, raising a rabbit is a 10-year commitment. And if you take good care of your bunny, you will extend its life even further. So as your pet rabbit lives longer, it develops more needs. The needs translate to more expenditure. These expenses will fall into three main categories: feed, habitat, and welfare. So take a look at what the real pet rabbit cost can be.
Feeding Your Rabbit
Rabbits will eat hay, leafy greens, and some fruits. And of course, the occasional treat. So feeding them the right amount based on their size and weight is important for their health. The key point is to ration the amounts of each food type for the optimal rabbit diet.
Ideally, an adult bunny meal plan looks like this:
● 80% grass hay
● 10% veggies
● 5% healthy pellets\herbs
● 5% treats\fruits
Rabbits get overweight fast if you aren’t careful. Furthermore, they munch on grass hay much like cows and horses. Unfortunately, they have a sensitive digestion system which can cause problems. Unlike other pets, they need special dietary precautions. For example, they must have unlimited 24/7 access to hay and clean water. Bunnies must have food in their stomach at all times. Otherwise, the bacteria will build and cause G.I. stasis, the most common and deadly health issue for bunnies. The fiber in the hay also prevents tooth overgrowth.
Sheltering Your Rabbit
No matter the size of your rabbit, they need ample room to live and play. A free-roam habitat can work in some situations, but they will chew books, wires, and foam when they feel threatened, which is why you don’t want to keep them in a small pen. Balance is key. A spacious hutch, whether indoors or outdoors is an ideal fit. You can dedicate a room in your house for your fluffy friend or take the DIY path and build it yourself. Keeping in mind chewable toys, hide houses, cleaning supplies, and bunny-proofing your home is very important. On the bright side, it’s a one-time expense. While you might need to do habitat upgrades occasionally as your bunny grows, it’s not a steep price to pay. Furthermore, you might want to consider building an outdoor habitat. Why? Because you’ll need to take your rabbit outside sometimes.
Welfare Pet Rabbit Cost
What is the cost to fix a rabbit? Well, you must consider spaying, neutering, teeth trimming, and injections. Like any other pet, rabbits must go to the vet now and then for regular check-ups. In addition to their teeth always growing, they develop intestine diseases due to their sensitive guts, especially as they get older. As a caring rabbit owner, it’s important to consider rabbit vet costs.
Monthly\Yearly Pet Rabbit Cost
Bringing it all together, here’s an estimated price list that breaks down the cost of having a rabbit. Based on the three categories above, it’s a weekly\monthly\yearly estimate that should help guide you: A $24 10-pound high-quality hay box can last a little over a month for a medium-sized healthy rabbit. Around $288 a year. Veggies are purchased weekly because they will go bad quickly. On average, you’ll spend $15 on them every week. $60 a month. $720 a year. As for habitat, $500 is a fair price to set up a comfortable hutch\indoor cage. And don’t forget toys, water bowls, and hay racks. Furthermore, the price will increase as you make smaller upgrades along the way. Vet expenses are also an important factor when you have senior bunnies. So regular vet checkups can amount to up to $50 a month. (Not including emergency visits)
We did the math – and the results of pet rabbit cost are as follows:
● $1008 food (yearly)
● $500 habitat cost (ongoing)
● $600 vet costs (yearly)
● Total: $2108 (yearly)
This is a fair average pet rabbit cost based on the three most important categories detailed above. However, there might be some “hidden fees” as you discover more about your bunny. The cost of owning multiple rabbits, as their preference is to live in pairs, is not that expensive. In some cases, exotic animals cost upwards of $5000 because they have a diet that consists of meat and are harder to domesticate. With that in mind, let’s answer the next logical question you might have: Is owning a pet rabbit worth it?
Do Rabbits Make Good House Pets?
Rabbits were easy to domesticate as farm animals thanks to their friendly nature. Just like other animals, their transition to house pets was only natural. But don’t let their calm posture fool, they are energy balls of fur. Here are some pros and cons of owning a rabbit.
Pros of pet rabbits
● They make great family pets: Rabbits are social, fluffy, and cuddly. Children love to play with them. (With adult supervision)
● They are clean: Bunnies can be litter-trained, groom themselves, and don’t need to bathe. They tend to soil their habitat like all prey animals.
● They can pay for themselves: Rabbits multiply like crazy. You can breed them and have baby bunnies to sell.
Cons of pet rabbits
● Unpredictable: Rabbits can hide pain well, and you never know if they’re hurting. It’s difficult to take them to the vet.
● Takes a long time to bond: They don’t like to be petted or handled unless they develop a trusting relationship with you first.
● They bite: When they feel confined, they might attempt to escape. When cornered, they aren’t afraid to bite back.
Does PetSmart Sell Bunnies?
PetSmart and Petco are the largest pet corporations in the US. They own pet supplies superstores nearly everywhere. They are great places to find pet supplies and other needs. However, in recent years, animal activist groups lobbied against Petsmart. Alleging that they were using mass breeders who kept animals in bad conditions. As a result of the backlash, Petsmart stopped selling bunnies, but they keep holding adoption events through their Petsmart Charities program. If you’re thinking about adopting a pet rabbit, that would be a great place to start. On the other hand, there are less controversial places to buy a rabbit. Consider investigating local pet stores, animal shelters, or licensed breeders in your area.
Pet rabbit cost at a local pet store
The average price of a bunny at a local pet store is $20-$40. Keep in mind, exotic bunny breeds can cost up to $100 – and much more. A quick Google search for “pet shops near me” will show tons of results. Do your research, and you’ll find fantastic options.
Pet rabbit cost at a local animal shelter
Your local animal shelter probably offers bargain prices for bunnies as they might become a burden to many owners. As a result, they donate them to a local animal shelter. These pets are usually litter-trained and vaccinated. Besides adopting fees, you can get your rabbit practically for free.
How Much Do Rabbits Cost in the UK?
For our friends in the UK, rabbits are a popular pet choice. You can expect the same food, habitat, and vet expenses as in the US. Whether in the US or the UK, you need to be careful where you get your pet rabbits. You don’t want to get stuck with a mistreated, sick animal that is destined to rack up a big bill at the vet. Again, rabbits are the masters of hiding pain, and you don’t want to discover health issues after it’s too late. That’s another rabbit hole you don’t want to go down.
We’ve estimated that keeping a bunny can cost up to $2000 every year for US owners. Given that the average lifespan of a bunny is 10 years, you’re looking at $20,000. In the UK, that translates to roughly £1,500 a year and £15,000-lifetime expenses. This number seems kinda high and can probably be decreased significantly. As for obtaining a bunny, you can take the local pet store route and get one for £15-£55.
Final Thoughts
If it’s your first time, it’s best to get an adult rabbit instead of raising a baby bunny. The reason being, it’s much harder to take care of a baby bunny when you’re just starting. Owning and raising a bunny is a serious commitment. It’s emotional and mental labor. A lot goes into rabbit costs that you don’t initially expect, so always do your research before making the decision, especially with bunnies. Now, you know the true pet rabbit cost. Visit a few local pet stores first to get a realistic estimation of prices in your area. Make certain that it’s something you want because it’s a 10- year commitment.
References
Worcestershire Rescues Join “A Better Life For Rabbits & Rodents” Campaign, https://pressat.co.uk/releases/worcestershire-rescues-join-a-better-life-for-rabbits-rodents-campaign-380d919dc479e1ebd6e9ff8ee1c8b42b/
What to Expect When Getting a Pet Rabbit, https://everythingbunnies.com/2021/02/18/what-to-expect-when-getting-a-pet-rabbit
Adopting from an animal shelter or rescue group, https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/adopting-animal-shelter-or-rescue-group
American Rabbit Breeders Association, https://arba.net/about-the-arba/join-the-arba/101Rabbits YouTube channel,
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKgffVEjrAB9jWXtotvxpXw