How much does owning a rabbit cost? (2023 Price Guide)
What is the initial cost of getting a rabbit?
A lot of bunnies can be fairly cheap to purchase, or even free if obtained from a re-homing or rescue centre (although a donation would always be welcomed). However, this is the only cheap bit of rabbit ownership because they can be surprisingly expensive to house, feed, look after and maintain.
Rabbits are sociable creatures and like to be kept with other members of their own species so rabbits should never be kept alone. Depending on the breed, rabbits can cost up to £50 each with some costing more if they are sought-after breeds such as the Chinchilla rabbit
How can I work out the costs of owning a rabbit?
Before bringing a rabbit home, it is important to ensure that you can safely cover the costs of caring for it on a day-to-day basis, bearing in mind that the average life expectancy of a pet rabbit is between 10 -12 years, and also that you will be able to cover the costs of expected vet’s bills, such as for neutering and vaccination, as well as any unexpected bills. You can also get a number of different accessories such as harnesses/leads, although these are not essential.
Also, bear in mind that the approximate costs given below are per single rabbit.
How much does rabbit bedding cost?
The cost of hay, including that to be used for bedding is approximately £15-20 per rabbit, per week. Shredded newspaper can also be used for bedding, helping to reduce these costs somewhat. Factor in the price of cleaning products (the whole enclosure should be thoroughly cleaned out on a weekly basis) which will be roughly £0.75-1.00 per week.
How much do rabbit vaccinations cost?
First (primary) vaccinations, which usually involve two visits to the vets and incorporate a veterinary health check range from £50-80 with usually slightly cheaper annual top-up vaccinations strongly recommended - particularly if your rabbits are to be kept largely outdoors.
How much do rabbit food bowls and water bottles cost?
Water bowls and bottles (and a bottle snug) along with food dispensers such as a hayrack or food balls will cost on average £20.
How much do rabbit carriers cost?
A travel carrier to safely and securely transport your rabbits to and from the vets or boarding kennels can cost on average £40, although second-hand ones may be purchased at a lesser cost.
How much does rabbit microchipping cost?
The cost of microchipping may be included in the adoption fee if you obtain your bunnies from a re-homing centre, otherwise, you can expect to pay around £25-30 per rabbit.
How much does rabbit neutering cost?
Neutering fees vary between vets and locations so calling your vets for a quote is always advisable. On average, prices range from £80-£160 each.
How much do rabbit toys cost?
Rabbits are intelligent animals and need a lot of mental stimulation in order to keep their mind and body active and in peak condition. Toys, such as the Bordeom Breaker Rabbit Tube encourage a bunny to display, and take part, in their natural behaviours such as digging, nibbling, skipping and jumping which help to keep them fit and occupied.
Rabbits can enjoy a wide range of toys; those made of strong, non-toxic materials such as cardboard, willow and wicker are ideal and you should expect to allow a budget of approximately £12-20 for these. Many household items, such as the empty cardboard tube from a toilet roll, make great - and cheap - play items
How much does rabbit grooming equipment cost?
You will be paying approximately £12-15 for bunny-specific brushes and combs in order to keep them groomed.
How much does rabbit insurance cost?
It is always sensible to take out some insurance, although most policies do not cover the cost of vaccinations or other routine procedures such as neutering and dental, if ever your rabbit becomes seriously ill or injured, the cost of treatment can be a nasty surprise.
Generally, rabbit insurance will cost you between £10 to £15 per rabbit per month but do bear in mind the excess you will have to pay directly to your vet depending on your policy and take this into account when shopping around.
How much do rabbit litter trays cost?
You can expect to pay £5-10 for a decent quality rabbit litter tray, remembering that a suitable tray must have a low frontage to allow for easy access.
How much does bunny proofing cost?
Lots of people like to keep their rabbits indoors as they are easy to litter train and they make fabulous companions. This means that you can avoid a lot of the expense of buying specific rabbit houses and runs that you would need if they were kept outdoors. However, you would need to rabbit-proof your home so that your bunny can’t hurt themselves or eat something they shouldn’t whilst roaming around.
Wires are one of the main targets of rabbits. Their sharp teeth can quickly slice through them, so it is best to cover wires with hard plastic sleeves or flex-tubing.
Skirting boards and door frames can be covered with plastic guards and furniture legs can also be covered with flex-tubing. Baby/dog gates can be used to section off certain areas of your home which can attract destructive behaviour by bunnies - such as carpeted areas which they love to dig and chew at.
We recommend you allow £20 in your budget to cover the initial costs of rabbit-proofing your home for an indoor rabbit.
How much do rabbit pens cost?
Buying a suitably large rabbit hutch and run is often the largest expense involved when getting a bunny. Both need to be well made and large enough for your pet to display their natural behaviours. Rabbit pens need a space to sleep and stretch out, a height that enables the bunny to stand on their hind legs and a toilet area able to house a suitable litter tray. Average prices for such suitable rabbit accommodation are given as £350 by the RSPCA.
How much do rabbit sandpits cost?
If you can give your rabbit some supervised time outside in a garden this gives them the opportunity to dig in a normal way. If this is not possible, sandpits filled with child-friendly sand can provide the greatest digging pleasure and promotes natural behaviour. They can be relatively inexpensive from £15-20 up to deluxe versions costing £75+.
How much does rabbit food cost?
Rabbits need to be fed a correct well-balanced diet, making sure they have plenty of fibre and less sugary things which could have a damaging effect on their health and body weight. Even foods like fruit should only be given sparingly as an occasional treat. You can also introduce healthy rabbit treats into their diet.
Rabbits must have an adult-sized handful of safe, freshly washed leafy green vegetables, herbs and weeds daily. A variety of greens such as cabbage, broccoli, kale and parsley should be fed and new types of greens should be slowly introduced.
Rabbits also need one bundle of good quality hay every day (about the same size as they are) and a small number of good quality pellets (about an egg cup full per Kg of their body weight).
The estimated cost for feeding one outdoor or house rabbit is approximately £18-22 per week.
How much is the cost of rabbit vet bills?
Vet fees for routine preventative health care such as vaccinations average £55 per year but this does not include any treatment required for illness, injury or disease, or any behavioural therapy required.
A routine dental for a rabbit can range from £75-250; a rabbit with a chronic dental problem may require dental treatment every 4-8 weeks. A case of gut stasis can cost between £125-250 to treat and repair a fractured limb could be in excess of £1000.
How much does rabbit cremation cost?
Communal cremation usually costs in the range of £80 -100. Individual cremation is more expensive but it does mean you will have your rabbit’s ashes back and on average will cost approximately £230.
How much is the monthly cost of owning a rabbit?
Excluding initial set-up costs and non-routine veterinary treatment, for either an indoor or outdoor rabbit, the monthly cost is likely to be in the region of £90-£110.00.
Is the cost of owning the rabbit the same for all rabbit owners?
No. Larger rabbits will require bigger hutches/pens/runs and will also need more food. Rabbits with chronic health problems will also need more frequent veterinary care, and the cost of insuring such rabbits may be higher too.
